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What Are the Different Types of Waterproof Clothes?

Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth

Waterproof clothes are those that repel water. When thinking about waterproof clothes, it is possible to consider them in terms of forms of apparel meant to ward off water and also types of materials that are waterproof. In addition, one could consider products that render ordinary clothes waterproof.

Wetsuits are one type of waterproof clothing. They are worn by scuba divers, windsurfers, triathletes under certain conditions, and others who engage in water sports for protection. The suits are made primarily of neoprene and are made to keep the wearer warm as well as dry.

Scuba divers typically wear wetsuits.
Scuba divers typically wear wetsuits.

The raincoat or rain jacket, sometimes combined with rain pants to make a rain suit, is another type of waterproof clothes. It may be made of GORE-TEX® or coated nylon, rubberized cloth, in the case of the British Mackintosh®, oiled cotton, in the case of the Australian Driza-Bone®, or oiled fur, in the case of Inuit anoraks. Other waterproofing materials include PVC or polyvinyl chloride, which is used for outerwear and footwear,

Raincoats keep people dry during storms.
Raincoats keep people dry during storms.

GORE-TEX® is one of the types of waterproof cloth that has been used in a wide variety of garments and other applications. GORE-TEX® is used to make outerwear, footwear, and gloves, and is guaranteed by the manufacturer to keep you dry. Teflon® coated nylon is another waterproof fabric used in outerwear. Oilskin, canvas coated with oil — often linseed — is another. However, the name oilskin is also applied to garments made of the material, and it can also refer to sailcloth with waterproofing of tar.

Ordinary cloth can be rendered waterproof by several methods. One way is to protect it with silicone spray. The spray is applied to the outside of the fabric. Another way to create waterproof clothes is to treat the inside of a piece of clothing with liquid latex, creating a rubber layer that is both airtight and watertight. A wax product, such as Nikwax®, can also be used to waterproof clothing or to restore a garment’s water resistance after it has been lost.

A home guide from 1840 for waterproofing cloth involves a three-day process. The ingredients required include isinglass, rain water, alum, and white soap. The product, which is simmered and strained, is applied to the wrong side of the cloth to be waterproofed and left spread out to dry. It is said to produce a breathable, but waterproof, fabric.

When it comes to maintaining the quality and waterproofing of your outdoor gear, using the best laundry detergent sheet can play a crucial role. Waterproof clothes, such as raincoats, jackets, and other specialized garments, require proper care to retain their water-repelling properties. While wetsuits, raincoats, and other waterproof apparel are designed to keep you dry during various activities, they also need effective cleaning solutions to maintain their performance. High-quality laundry detergent sheets can help remove dirt, grime, and oils from these specialized fabrics without compromising their waterproof features.

Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth

Mary Elizabeth is passionate about reading, writing, and research, and has a penchant for correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to contributing articles to InfoBloom about art, literature, and music, Mary Elizabeth is a teacher, composer, and author. She has a B.A. from the University of Chicago’s writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont, and she has written books, study guides, and teacher materials on language and literature, as well as music composition content for Sibelius Software.

Learn more...
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth

Mary Elizabeth is passionate about reading, writing, and research, and has a penchant for correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to contributing articles to InfoBloom about art, literature, and music, Mary Elizabeth is a teacher, composer, and author. She has a B.A. from the University of Chicago’s writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont, and she has written books, study guides, and teacher materials on language and literature, as well as music composition content for Sibelius Software.

Learn more...

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    • Scuba divers typically wear wetsuits.
      By: Rostislav Ageev
      Scuba divers typically wear wetsuits.
    • Raincoats keep people dry during storms.
      By: Daniel Etzold
      Raincoats keep people dry during storms.