# How to Wash a Textile Motorcycle Jacket Without Ruining the Membrane

> Textile motorcycle jacket: 30 °C (86 °F) max, remove CE armour, no softener, re-proof with DWR. EN 17092, Gore-Tex, Drystar, 18 kg laundromat for full kit.

**Published :** 2026-05-12

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**Résumé :** **In short:** a textile motorcycle jacket should be washed at
**30 °C (86 °F) maximum** after removing the CE armour, with a
technical detergent and no softener or bleach. Air dry, then re-proof with a
DWR product (Nikwax TX.Direct, Grangers Performance Repel). For a full
motorcycle kit -- jacket + trousers + neck warmer -- the 18 kg laundromat
machine handles everything in one cycle, ideal for the post-winter big clean.

## At a glance

- **Remove the CE armour** -- shoulders, elbows, back (and hips on trousers). Clean separately, never in the machine.
- **30 °C (86 °F) max** -- synthetic or delicate cycle, low spin. Follow the label if it says lower.
- **Technical detergent** -- Nikwax Tech Wash, Grangers Performance Wash, or a mild liquid detergent. Never fabric softener or bleach.
- **Air drying** -- on a hanger, in a ventilated room, out of direct sunlight. Low tumble dry if the label allows.
- **Re-proofing** -- if water no longer beads, apply a DWR treatment on the clean jacket.
- **18 kg laundromat for post-winter** -- jacket + trousers + neck warmer in a single cycle.

## Before washing: locate and remove the CE armour

Any textile motorcycle jacket compliant with **EN 17092** includes rigid or semi-rigid armour at impact zones: shoulders, elbows, back (and sometimes hips on trousers). The armour fits into internal pockets accessed by zips, Velcro, or flaps. Washing with armour in place is risky: it can deform, crack, or even damage the machine drum.

**Systematically locate and remove** before any wash. On Dainese, Alpinestars, REV'IT models, shoulder armour is often accessed through the inside of the sleeves, the back via an internal dorsal zip. If a pocket seems stuck, check under the liner.

> Wipe each piece with a damp cloth and mild soap, air dry -- never machine wash
> or tumble dry. Inspect visually before reinstalling: no cracks, no
> deformation, no wear holes.
> 
> **Armour compromised by a crash or impact must be replaced from the
> manufacturer**
> 
> 
> 
> \-- SAS-TEC or D3O foam does not get cleaned, it gets replaced.

## Membrane type → protocol

Modern motorcycle jackets often integrate a waterproof breathable membrane. Each brand has its own name, but the principle is identical: a microporous film that lets water vapour pass (sweat) while blocking rainwater drops. The outer treatment (DWR) makes water bead and slide off before reaching the membrane.

| Membrane / construction | Max temperature | Recommended detergent | Re-proofing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gore-Tex (Dainese D-Dry, KLIM Pro) | 40 °C (104 °F) per Gore-Tex | Nikwax Tech Wash or mild detergent | TX.Direct or Gore Revivex |
| Drystar (Alpinestars) | 30 °C (86 °F) per Alpinestars | Mild liquid detergent | TX.Direct or Grangers Performance Repel |
| H2Out (Spidi, Held) | 30 °C (86 °F), follow label | Mild liquid detergent | TX.Direct or Grangers |
| Cordura no membrane (summer, mesh) | 30 °C (86 °F), synthetic cycle | Standard liquid detergent | Optional -- DWR on textile panels only |
| Leather + textile lining | No machine wash | Separate leather cleaning | Leather nourishing cream, no DWR |

> Jackets with integrated airbags (Dainese D-Air, Alpinestars Tech-Air, and
> similar systems) have
> 
> **specific instructions for the electronic system and the internal airbag vest**
> 
> . Standard washing can damage sensors and pyrotechnic gas cartridges.
> **Follow the manufacturer manual exclusively** before any wash.
> When in doubt, contact after-sales support.

## Step-by-step protocol

### 1. Inspection and pre-treatment

Before machine wash, inspect under direct light:

- **Localised stains** (squashed insects, oil, road tar) → wipe gently with a damp cloth and mild soap.
- **Buttons and zips** → close everything to avoid catching the membrane.
- **Care label** → check the maximum temperature (GINETEX ISO 3758 tub symbol + number).

### 2. Detergent choice

For a membrane jacket: technical detergent (Nikwax Tech Wash, Grangers Performance Wash) that does not inhibit DWR. Otherwise, a mild liquid detergent. **Never**:

- **Fabric softener** -- waxy film that clogs the membrane.
- **Bleach** -- attacks seam tapes and pigments.
- **Powder detergent** -- can leave residue in pockets and seams.

### 3. Machine settings

- **Temperature**: 30 °C (86 °F) for Alpinestars/Spidi, 40 °C (104 °F) for Gore-Tex -- never above.
- **Programme**: synthetic or delicate, spin 600-800 rpm max.
- **Load**: jacket alone, or with other motorcycle gear. No jeans, no towels.

### 4. Drying

Remove from the machine immediately and hang on a sturdy hanger in a ventilated room, out of direct sunlight. Smooth the liner and reshape the shoulders before the textile fully dries. Allow 8-24 h depending on ventilation.

If the label allows tumble dry: **low heat only**. Per Gore-Tex, a moderate tumble can even **reactivate the DWR**. Avoid for jackets with airbag or embedded electronics.

### 5. Waterproofing test and re-proofing

Once dry, test: pour a little water on the outer shell. If water **beads and slides** → DWR still active, nothing to do. If water **spreads or absorbs** → DWR is worn, re-proof.

Apply a DWR treatment (Nikwax TX.Direct spray or wash-in, Grangers Performance Repel) on a **clean**, slightly damp jacket. Follow the manufacturer's instructions -- typically uniform spray at 15-20 cm, air drying or thermal activation (hairdryer at distance).

## Wash gesture → membrane impact

| Gesture | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 30 °C (86 °F) + mild detergent | ✅ OK | Preserves membrane and DWR. Standard for most jackets. |
| 40 °C (104 °F) per Gore-Tex label | ⚠️ OK occasionally | Acceptable if the label indicates so. Do not exceed. |
| 60 °C (140 °F) or above | ❌ Banned | Melts the membrane and delaminates seam tapes. |
| Fabric softener | ❌ Banned | Waxy film clogging membrane pores and neutralising DWR. |
| Bleach | ❌ Banned | Attacks pigments and weakens seam tapes. |
| Powder detergent | ⚠️ Avoid | Leaves residue in seams and pockets. Prefer liquid. |
| Maximum spin (1400+ rpm) | ⚠️ Avoid | Stress on seams and zips. Stay at 600-800 rpm. |
| High-heat tumble dry | ❌ Banned | Melts the membrane. Low temperature only if allowed. |
| Ironing directly on the membrane | ❌ Banned | Localised excessive heat. If needed, soft iron + damp cloth. |
| Washing with jeans (rivets) or towels | ⚠️ Avoid | Risk of catching the membrane. Wash jackets together. |

## End-of-life criteria

A jacket can wash perfectly and still no longer meet its standard. Inspect regularly.

- 🔍 **Seams and abrasion** — **Undone seams**, deep tears, abrasion zones (shoulders, back, sleeves). Check the outer shell in direct light. A deep tear means the EN 17092 abrasion class is no longer guaranteed.
- 💧 **Membrane no longer holds** — If, after re-proofing, water still soaks through, the inner membrane may be delaminated. Test: indoor shower for 5 min. If water seeps in: **membrane is dead**, the jacket becomes a summer jacket only.
- 🛡️ **CE armour compromised** — Any armour (shoulder, elbow, back) **after a crash or impact** must be replaced -- even if it looks intact. SAS-TEC or D3O foam loses absorption after impact.
- 📅 **Age and UV** — A jacket stored in direct sunlight, or used daily for 5+ years, sees its pigments degrade and the textile become brittle. **Age cannot be cleaned**. Assess overall condition each pre-season.

## Case study: post-winter laundromat

Per the French **ONISR (national road safety observatory)**, motorcycle usage peaks in warm months (April-September). After winter, the full kit -- jacket, trousers, neck warmer, gloves, base layers -- has accumulated rain, mud, salt, and squashed bugs. The post-winter big clean is the perfect occasion to handle everything in one pass.

### The domestic machine problem

A 7 kg machine takes one motorcycle jacket alone. For a full kit (jacket 2-3 kg + trousers 1-1.5 kg + neck warmer + base layer), expect **2 to 3 successive cycles** = 4 to 6 hours of locked machine time. Not counting space for air drying.

### The 18 kg laundromat: single pass

The 18 kg laundromat machine absorbs **the full motorcycle kit in one 30-minute cycle**: jacket + trousers + neck warmer + 1-2 technical base layers. Bring your own technical detergent (Tech Wash), or use the included detergent on a synthetic 30 °C (86 °F) programme.

> A yearly visit of **30-45 minutes** to the laundromat (30 min
> cycle + travel) covers a rider's full gear. Indicative cost:
> **EUR 5-7 for the 18 kg machine**. Output: spin-damp gear, ready
> to air dry in 12-24 h. Re-proof at home afterwards. The only reasonable annual
> investment to preserve gear worth EUR 500-1,500.

### When the laundromat is not the right tool

- **Airbag jackets (Tech-Air, D-Air, etc.)**: follow the manufacturer's manual exclusively. No self-service.
- **Leather jackets**: no machine, separate leather specialist treatment.
- **Weekly washing of a single jacket**: domestic 30 °C is enough.

## Common mistakes

> **Warning:**
> - **Washing with CE armour still in place** -- risk of armour deformation and drum damage. Systematically remove.
> - **Adding softener to 'freshen the smell'** -- waxy film that ruins the membrane and DWR. Wash more often at 30 °C (86 °F) for freshness.
> - **Hot tumble dry because it's faster** -- melts the membrane, delaminates seams. Air dry or low heat only.
> - **Ironing the jacket** -- iron's localised heat melts the membrane. Smooth on a hanger during drying.
> - **Reusing after a crash without checking the armour** -- safety doesn't get cleaned. Inspect each piece and replace if deformed or cracked.

> **Read also**: [washing hi-vis workwear](/en/blog/wash-high-visibility-clothing/index.md), [removing tar and grease stains](/en/blog/remove-grease-tar-stain/index.md), [bleach laundry: when to use](/en/blog/bleach-laundry-when-to-use/index.md).