Frequently asked questions about wax jackets

We see more and more wax jackets arriving at our workshop with a musty smell. Owners often stop wearing them or consider taking them to a conventional dry cleaner. Don’t give up on your jacket — and leave conventional dry cleaning well alone! Whether it’s a cherished Barbour or another favourite wax jacket, we can help.

We clean the outside of your jacket using a specialist steam cleaning technique, without chemical cleaning products. For stubborn odours, we also use a dedicated disinfection cabinet fitted with advanced Biozone Air Care technology. This ozone treatment kills bacteria and mould and tackles lingering smoke and perfume smells.

Moisture can become trapped between the lining and outer fabric, allowing mould to develop. The Biozone treatment tackles this mould and the musty smell that comes with it.

After cleaning, your jacket can be given a fresh coat of wax where needed. With a little care and timely maintenance, your trusted companion can give you many more years of service — and may even be passed down to the next generation.

Book your wax jacket cleaning today.

No. A wax jacket should never be washed in a washing machine, not even on a wool cycle, hand-wash programme or at a low temperature.
→ Find out more.

AYes. Light dirt and surface marks can usually be removed using lukewarm water and a soft sponge or cloth.
→ Read our advice on safely cleaning a wax jacket in the Knowledge Base.

A dry or dull appearance, lighter patches on the shoulders and sleeves, or rain no longer beading on the surface are all signs that your wax jacket may need attention.
→ Discover all the signs that your wax jacket needs attention in our complete care guide

During a Biozone Air Care treatment, we place your wax jacket in a dedicated disinfection cabinet where ozone is generated. This treatment kills bacteria and mould and breaks down the compounds responsible for unpleasant odours.

We use this method for wax jackets affected by mould or stubborn smells, including mustiness, smoke and lingering perfume. Rather than masking these smells with an air freshener, the treatment tackles the odours themselves.

For visible dirt, we also recommend standard cleaning or our thorough, hands-on professional dry cleaning service. This is a specialist manual deep clean, rather than conventional dry cleaning. When your jacket arrives at our workshop, we assess which treatment, or combination of treatments, it needs.

Reproofing, sometimes referred to as rewaxing, is the process of applying a fresh protective wax finish to the jacket.

This finish helps maintain the jacket's water resistance and protection against the elements. With regular wear, the wax gradually wears away. Reproofing at the right time helps protect the cotton fabric and can significantly extend the life of your wax jacket.

If the fabric feels dry, lighter or dull patches begin to appear, or rain no longer beads on the surface, it may be time to have the jacket reproofed.
→ Read more: When should a wax jacket be reproofed?

This depends on how frequently the jacket is worn and the conditions it is exposed to. For occasional use, several years may pass between treatments. A jacket worn several times a week or every day will generally require attention sooner. 
→ In our Knowledge Base, we explain how maintenance intervals differ for occasional, regular and heavy use.

In most cases, yes. Even older wax jackets can often be successfully reproofed. Before starting any work, we always assess the condition of the fabric and the existing wax finish.

Most shops that sell wax jackets also sell products for maintaining them, such as reproofing sprays, tins of wax dressing and sometimes wax bars. However, reproofing a wax jacket properly requires knowledge, technique and experience. The wax needs to be applied evenly, without leaving patches, making some areas too heavily waxed while others remain too dry, or allowing excess wax to soak through into the lining.

When using a reproofing spray, bear in mind that you are only applying a surface layer. It's rather like putting a plaster over a wound, you're covering the problem rather than treating it.

When using a tin of wax dressing, it is important to bring the wax to the correct temperature and apply it evenly. Again, good technique and experience make a considerable difference to the final result.

A wax bar doesn't necessarily make the job any easier. These are generally better suited to treating small areas or minor damage rather than reproofing an entire jacket.

Reproofing your wax jacket yourself or having it professionally treated? Discover the differences in our Knowledge Base.

We use products specifically designed for the professional cleaning and treatment of waxed garments.

The wax products we use meet the requirements for treating traditional waxed cotton. The precise products and treatment are selected according to the individual jacket, its fabric and its condition.

Alterations involve changing the fit, length or construction of a jacket.

For example:

• shortening the sleeves;
• shortening the jacket;
• taking in the jacket;
• making other adjustments to the fit.

We carry out a wide range of wax jacket repairs, including:

• holes and tears;
• larger rips and damaged areas;
• damaged linings;
• press studs;
• zips;
• worn seams and pockets;
• shortening or lengthening jackets and sleeves.

For Barbour jackets, we have a range of original fabrics and trims available, allowing us in many cases to carry out repairs that remain as close as possible to the jacket's original appearance.

Small holes and tears often develop when much of the protective wax finish has worn away, leaving the cotton underneath insufficiently protected.

As the fabric becomes dry, it is more vulnerable to friction and everyday wear. For this reason, we recommend not only repairing the damaged area but also checking the condition of the wax finish. This can help prevent similar damage from developing elsewhere on the jacket.
→ Read why timely maintenance and minor repairs are so important for the lifespan of your wax jacket.

.

In many cases, yes. What can be repaired depends on the size and location of the damage and the condition of the surrounding fabric. The sooner a small tear is repaired, the less chance there is of it becoming considerably larger through continued wear.

In many cases, a damaged or worn zip can be repaired or replaced. We first assess exactly what is wrong before deciding which solution will give the best technical and visual result.

Age alone certainly doesn't mean that a wax jacket is beyond saving. Some jackets can still be professionally cleaned, repaired and reproofed after decades of use. The condition of the underlying fabric is ultimately what matters most. For this reason, we assess older and vintage jackets individually before advising which treatments or repairs are worthwhile.

Yes. Small tears and loose seams in the lining can often be repaired successfully. For more extensive damage, we'll first assess which repair will produce the best result.

Often, yes. These are precisely the areas that tend to show wear first through regular use. Having them repaired early can prevent a relatively minor problem from developing into much more extensive damage.

Yes. You decide which work you would like us to carry out. You can choose:

• cleaning only;
• repairs only;
• reproofing only;
• or a combination of treatments.

We inspect every jacket when it arrives. If we notice anything that may require additional attention, we can advise you accordingly.

No. We professionally clean, reproof and repair wax jackets from a wide range of manufacturers.

Yes. We work on wax jackets from Barbour, Belstaff, Dubarry and many other manufacturers of waxed cotton garments.

The treatment is always tailored to the material, construction and condition of the individual jacket.

No. If you're sending your wax jacket to us for professional care, there's no need to clean it beforehand. We'll assess the jacket first and clean it using methods specifically suited to waxed cotton.

You can register your wax jacket using the maintenance form on our website. Simply tell us about your jacket and the work you would like us to carry out. After registering, you'll receive the information you need about the next steps.

Once your parcel arrives, we inspect your jacket and send you a confirmation together with information about the planned work. When the work has been completed, you'll receive a payment request. Once payment has been received, your jacket will be returned to you by DHL using an insured and tracked service. You'll receive a Track & Trace code so you can follow your parcel.

.

Depending on how busy the workshop is and the work required. Need your jacket soon? Please contact us before sending it in and we'll be happy to see what is possible.

The cost depends on the treatment required and any repairs that need to be carried out. Our pricing page contains our current prices for cleaning, reproofing, repairs and other services.
→ View our current wax jacket maintenance prices.

Once the work has been completed, you'll receive a payment request. Your wax jacket will be returned after we have received your payment.

Yes. You're welcome to bring your wax jacket to our workshop in the Netherlands. As we like to take the time to inspect your jacket properly, please contact us by telephone beforehand to arrange an appointment.

Yes. We return wax jackets to customers in a number of European countries. Shipping costs depend on the destination. If you live outside the Netherlands and would like us to treat your wax jacket, please contact us and we'll be happy to discuss the options.

.

Our Reloved project gives unwanted wax jackets a second life. Donated jackets are cleaned, repaired and reproofed wherever possible before being made available to people who need a good wax jacket but are unable to afford one themselves. In this way, we combine traditional wax jacket craftsmanship with sustainability and a social purpose.

A quality wax jacket is made to last.

By cleaning and reproofing it at the right time and repairing minor damage before it becomes more serious, there is often no need to replace the jacket.

Even an older wax jacket can often provide many more years of reliable use with the right care.