How to care for a Barbour waxed jacket: step-by-step guide

A Barbour waxed cotton jacket can last for years, even decades. The secret is simple: give it fresh wax when it needs it. Here is the method, step by step.

Why a waxed jacket needs care

Waxed cotton is impregnated with wax that makes it resistant to wind and rain. Over time, wear and weather wear the wax away, especially at the elbows, shoulders, collar and along the seams. The fabric becomes lighter, drier to the touch, and water no longer beads: that is the sign it is time to revive it.

Allow one or two applications per season depending on use: a jacket worn every day in the rain will need more than a town jacket.

What you need

• Barbour Thornproof care wax;
• a sponge and cold water;
• a soft cloth or small sponge to apply the wax;
• a hairdryer (optional, to smooth the wax).

Step 1: clean with cold water

Brush off dried mud, then wipe the whole jacket with a sponge dampened with cold water. Never use hot water or soap: they strip the wax. Let it dry naturally, away from direct heat.

Step 2: warm the wax

Thornproof is thick at room temperature. Stand the closed tin in a bowl of hot water for about ten minutes, until the wax turns liquid. Work in a warm room: it spreads much more easily.

Step 3: apply

With the cloth, apply a thin layer in small circular movements, panel by panel. Focus on the areas that wear most: seams, shoulders, elbows, collar, cuffs and pockets. Two thin coats are better than one thick coat.

Step 4: smooth and leave to dry

Pass a hairdryer over it from a distance to help the wax soak in and remove streaks. Then hang the jacket on a hanger in a mild room for 24 hours. It will feel slightly tacky for the first few days: that is normal.

Mistakes to avoid

• Never machine wash or dry clean it: the wax disappears.
• Do not dry it on a radiator or near a fire.
• Do not store it in a plastic cover: waxed cotton needs to breathe.
• Do not fold it while damp: let it dry on a hanger.

A jacket that develops character

Over the years, waxed cotton takes on a unique patina: creases, shades, suppleness. That is the charm of a Bedale, a Tracker, an Ashby or a Spey. Regular care keeps it waterproof without erasing that story.

Find Thornproof wax and all our waxed jackets in the Barbour collection. Free delivery in France on orders over €200, free in-store pickup.