What Is a Waterproof Cloth Fabric? Full Guide!
The term " waterproof cloth fabric " is integral to outdoor adventure, everyday protection, and specific industrial sectors. This fabric is designed to provide long-lasting comfort and protection against harsh climatic conditions, such as incessant rain, wet seaside conditions, or intense outdoor activities, by protecting the wearer or the load from moisture.
How does it differ from other fabrics? How should you choose waterproof cloth fabric? Read on to find out.
What Is a Waterproof Cloth Fabric?
Waterproof cloth, also known as waterproof cloth or rainproof cloth, is a special fabric with waterproof properties. Its main feature is its ability to stop water from penetrating and protect internal items from moisture.
Characteristics:
Waterproof: the surface or interior of the fabric has been specially treated to form a waterproof layer to stop moisture penetration.
Durability: It usually has high abrasion and tear resistance and is suitable for outdoor use.
Breathability: Some high-end waterproof cloth fabrics have good breathability to improve wearing comfort while ensuring waterproof performance.
Difference Between Waterproof Cloth Fabric and Water Resistant Fabric
Waterproof cloth fabric:
It has very high waterproof performance, ensuring that water can not penetrate the fabric. These fabrics are usually treated with special treatments, such as waterproof coatings, membranes, or special weaving methods, to achieve a completely waterproof effect. Even in heavy rain or prolonged submersion, the interior remains dry.
Water-resistant fabrics:
Although they also have a certain degree of waterproof performance, their degree of waterproofing is relatively low. Water-resistant fabrics block water penetration mainly through the tight weave of the fabric itself or special coatings but may not be able to completely stop water penetration in the face of greater water pressure or prolonged immersion.
However, the apparel industry commonly uses Waterproof cloth fabric and water-resistant fabrics. For normal rainy seasons, these kinds of garments can have a very good waterproof effect, so you can buy them with peace of mind.
How to Waterproof Cloth Fabric?
If your clothes are not waterproof but afraid of getting wet in the rain, you can waterproof them. This is especially important for outdoor activities. Here are some common waterproof cloth fabric:
Use waterproof Spray
Choose a waterproof spray in the market suitable for your clothing fabric. For clothing that needs to be exposed to the sun for a long period of time, choose a waterproof spray with ultraviolet (UV) protection. Spray the spray evenly on the garment's surface according to the product instructions. Take care to maintain a proper distance so as not to overspray or create an uneven effect. Also, make sure that the spray covers the entire area, including details such as seams and pockets of the garment.
Soak with Water Repellent
Dissolve the waterproofing agent in a certain proportion in warm water. Completely soak the garment to waterproof it in warm water with the waterproofing agent dissolved. Ensure the garment is completely soaked and keep it soaked for a certain period. Afterward, rinse it off with water (if necessary) and dry it naturally.
Buying Waterproof Clothes
Both of the above methods are less effective than using the waterproof coating technique. However, this technique requires specialized equipment and materials and is not suitable for families to do on their own. Therefore, to make your clothes waterproof or to meet the needs of outdoor sports, it is better to buy professional waterproof clothes.
Do you also need a stain-resistant T-shirt besides waterproofing? The stain-resistant function is also important in daily life, especially when attending important occasions for dinner. You can prevent fruit juice and jam from accidentally staining your clothes and avoid losing a favorite item due to stains. In addition to this, they are also use waterproof cloth fabric to liquids and stains without sacrificing softness and breathability.
How to Choose Waterproof Cloth Fabric?
For amateurs, choosing waterproof cloth fabric is difficult. But nowadays, many merchants clearly indicate the fabric of the clothing and the degree of waterproofness.
Next, I will tell you how to choose waterproof cloth fabric:
You can find out the material's waterproof rating and check whether the seams, zippers, and other fabric parts are prone to water seepage and have been press-glued to enhance the overall waterproof performance. Although the main function of waterproof cloth fabric is waterproofing, breathability is also important, especially if you need to keep your body dry when wearing or using it. Some advanced waterproof cloth fabric and breathable materials, such as Gore-Tex, can maintain waterproof performance while allowing moisture to escape through a special structure.
It is advised to consider comfort, breathability, durability, and waterproof performance when selecting a reasonably priced product. Consider tarpaulins with moderate waterproof performance, good breathability, and moderate price, such as some nylon or polyester fabrics with special coating treatment. Choose waterproof fabrics with high strength, high abrasion resistance, and high waterproof rating, such as Gore-Tex fabrics.
What Are the Fabrics that Are Waterproof Cloth Fabric?
Waterproof cloth fabric is a special kind of textile material that is designed to effectively block the penetration of water and keep the inside of clothing dry. In the field of apparel, waterproof cloth fabrics are widely used in outdoor apparel, raincoats, assault vests, etc. The following are some common types of waterproof fabrics. Below are some common types of clothing fabrics that fall under the category of waterproof fabrics:
Gore-Tex:
Gore-Tex fabric is a high-quality,breathable, and waterproof cloth fabric made of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) film laminated with fabric.
Its unique microporous structure allows water vapor to escape while liquid water cannot penetrate, making it waterproof and breathable.
Gore-Tex fabrics are widely used in high-end outdoor apparel, such as assault jackets and hiking shoes.
Dry-Tec:
Dry-Tec fabrics are known for being lightweight and cool. They contain a highly breathable layer in the center with a microporous surface design.
This waterproof cloth fabric is usually used to make sports waterproof clothing, such as running raincoats and sweatpants.
Waterproof Nylon Fabric:
Waterproof nylon fabric is a soft and strong fabric specially treated to make it waterproof.
It is not only waterproof but also has a certain degree of mildew resistance and is flame retardant, making it very suitable for making daily waterproof clothing and outdoor equipment.
Waterproof Canvas:
Waterproof canvas is a type of waterproof cloth fabric made through special processing that can resist moisture, dampness, and cold.
It is made of fiber fabrics through multiple processes. It is 100 percent waterproof and is commonly used in the production of waterproof bags, tents, and some outdoor clothing.
PVC-Coated Fabric:
Polyvinyl chloride is the main component of PVC-coated fabrics, and plasticizers and anti-aging agents are added during the production process to improve their performance.
This fabric is waterproof, mildew-resistant, abrasion-resistant, and aging-resistant, among other things. Although its breathability is relatively poor, it is still used to make some specific waterproof clothing or accessories.
Conclusion
With its excellent waterproof performance and wide range of applications, waterproof cloth fabric shows its irreplaceable value and charm. With the continuous progress of material science and the deepening of environmental protection, we have reason to believe that the future of waterproof cloth fabric will be more lightweight, durable, and environmentally friendly, bringing more surprises and benefits to human society.
