How to Care for Your Sailing Gear & Clothing

Good gear makes life at sea easier. It keeps you dry on night watches, warm on cold crossings, and comfortable when the wind won’t quit. But even the best jacket, salopettes, base layers, and boots will fail early if the salt and grime stay on them. The good news is that caring for sailing gear is simple. Think fresh water first, gentle washing when needed, and smart drying every time. In this guide I’ll show you how to care for sailing gear so it lasts longer and keeps working when you need it.

Salt off, performance on

Salt is the enemy. It attracts moisture, it stiffens fabric, and it clogs the tiny pores that let waterproof-breathable gear work. After wet passages or spray-filled days, I like to give jackets, trousers, gloves, and even boots a quick fresh-water rinse. It takes a few minutes on the dock or with a cockpit shower, but it makes a big difference. Brands say the same thing: remove salt and grit first, then worry about deeper cleaning later, because that surface rinse keeps fabrics breathing and stops zippers, snaps, and buckles from corroding.

Washing waterproofs the right way

When a jacket stops beading water, most of us think it is “worn out.” Often it just needs a proper wash and dry. Start by reading the care label on the garment. Most waterproof shells appreciate a gentle machine cycle with a technical cleaner, followed by thorough rinsing. Many membranes work better after heat in a tumble dryer on low, which re-activates the durable water repellent (DWR) on the outer face. If the jacket still wets out after washing and drying, a simple spray-on reproof can help bring the beading back. Big names in waterproof fabrics explain this clearly: wash, dry, add heat to revive the DWR; if beading doesn’t return, reapply a DWR treatment designed for technical outerwear. Always follow the label on your specific jacket.

A quick word on what not to do helps too. Regular fabric softeners and harsh detergents can block the fabric’s pores and ruin the water repellent finish. Gentle cleaners are the safer choice. Some garments—especially special constructions—have exceptions, so check the label or the maker’s guide before you press start.

Drying and storage that extend gear life

Drying is not just about comfort; it protects the fabric and the coatings. After washing or a wet sail, hang gear in moving air and keep it away from direct heat. Let it dry fully before you pack it away. If your jacket allows low tumble heat, that short spin can help restore water beading after a wash; if not, air drying works fine—just give it time. Once dry, store gear hanging rather than crushed, and never leave it damp in a locker. Those small choices prevent mildew, odors, and the peeling of coatings that happens when moisture sits inside folds.

Boots, neoprene, and other deck staples

Deck boots, wetsuit tops, and neoprene layers need slightly different care. After salty days, rinse them in fresh water to remove salt and sand. Let them drip, then air dry out of direct sun. Warm, humid lockers are hard on rubber and neoprene, so dry first, store cool after. If the inside starts to hold odor, a quick fresh-water rinse and patient drying usually fixes it. The goal is always the same: no salt left behind, no trapped moisture. Makers of sailing and neoprene gear repeat this advice again and again because it works.

Lifejackets deserve regular attention

If there is one piece of equipment to check often, it is your lifejacket. Before trips and at regular intervals, look it over for wear, check the bladder fabric, confirm the CO₂ cylinder is clean, seated, and tight, and make sure the trigger and indicators are in good condition. National sea-safety organizations recommend frequent owner checks plus a yearly service according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If you are unsure how to repack, have an approved service shop do it for you. A lifejacket only works if it is in good shape—and if you’re wearing it.

Small habits that pay off on long cruises

Most problems I see come from simple things: a jacket put away salty, a zipper left gritty, or wet gear stuffed into a bag overnight. I try to build tiny routines. After rain or spray, I shake water off, rinse if needed, and hang things where air can move. When I wash, I pick a cleaner made for technical fabrics, close zippers, and empty pockets so sand doesn’t grind the lining. When DWR beading fades, I clean first, then revive with low heat; only if that doesn’t work do I reproof with a spray. These small steps keep care for sailing gear easy and help avoid big surprises before a passage.

Why this matters at sea

Caring for gear is not about keeping it pretty. It is about staying warm and dry so you can think clearly when the weather turns. A clean, well-kept shell breathes better on night watches. Dry mid-layers trap heat the way they are meant to. Boots without salt last more seasons. A lifejacket checked and serviced gives real confidence when you clip on. Good maintenance saves money over time, but it also keeps you safer and makes every sail more pleasant.

Why It Still Matters to Me

When I look back at my seasons on board, the best days had one thing in common: I felt comfortable and ready. Clean gear, dry layers, and a trusted lifejacket changed the whole mood of a passage. It is a simple rhythm—rinse, wash when needed, dry well, store smart—but it keeps your equipment reliable for years. Take a few quiet minutes after a sail, and your kit will pay you back on the next one.

👉 If you’re in planning mode, you might also like our guides on Posidonia Anchoring Rules and Is Starlink Worth the Cost for Cruisers?

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