Let’s clear up a myth: “Waterproof equals forever dry.” Wrong. In the UK? Water repellent never means bulletproof. Ask anyone who’s watched their tent seep water on a rainy Lake District night—myself included.
That’s why picking the right waterproofing spray for outdoor fabric isn’t about bravado; it’s about keeping your kit alive, dry, and mildew-free, trip after trip.
Why Outdoor Fabric Needs Protection?
British campers get every kind of weather. Four seasons before breakfast? Standard. Waterproof spray is your shortcut to gear that doesn’t quit or stink of mould. I lost a decent set of garden cushions once after I “trusted the forecast” during an August BBQ. Big mistake—the forecast lied, the downpour didn’t.
Wet fabric isn’t just soggy. Constant moisture eats away at fibres, brings colour fade with the UV, and encourages mould and musty smells. Give gear a chance by keeping water and stains out—not just rain, but spilled coffee, bird bombs, and whatever the wind blows in during a blustery night.
Waterproofing sprays stop rain from soaking in, help things dry quicker, and prevent your new tent or old coat from turning into a science experiment.
Top Qualities in a Waterproofing Spray
Don’t grab the first can you see on the shelf. The “right” waterproof spray has to tick a few non-negotiable boxes:
- Strong Water Repellency: Makes water bead and roll away, not soak through. You want a mini waterfall effect, not a sponge.
- Stain Resistance: Keeps mud, ketchup, or spilled tea from sticking around. A bonus on family trips or messy corners of the garden.
- UV Defence: Stops fabrics fading or breaking down in the rare British sunshine. Crucial if your furniture or brolly lives outside all summer.
- Fabric Compatibility: Works for jackets, tents, polyester, canvas, and nylon. Some sprays are picky—double check the label matches your gear.
- Safe for You & the Planet: Look for PFC-free formulas and bluesign approval. No one needs a chemical headache while waterproofing kit.
Experience talking here—cheap sprays can stain, stink, or simply wash right off. You want gear that stays waterproof after you wash it, not just for one cycle.
Best Waterproofing Spray Picks in the UK
If you want choices that actually do the job, these are the sprays UK campers swear by (and I keep stocked at home). Tested by soggy park benches, windswept campsites, and plenty of last-minute “should have sprayed that” moments.
1. Grangers Performance Repel Plus
This is the one I pull out for jackets and technical gear. It’s PFC-free, bluesign approved, and the bottle’s made with recycled plastic. Eco points sorted. It’s easy too—spray directly on damp fabric straight after a wash.
Why do I rate it? The finish beads water like nothing else I’ve tried. Hoods, shoulders, sleeves—target the bits that get hammered. You only need a light spray, and I’ve never had a coat go crispy or stiff. It keeps technical clothing breathing, so you never feel like you’re wearing a bin bag on a walk.
Best for: outdoor jackets, performance trousers, walking kit, and backpack covers you don’t want to replace every season.
2. Nikwax Waterproofing Options
Old faithful. Nikwax is almost always in my kit bag, if only because it’s hard to mess up. You get spray-on or wash-in options—which is handy when you want to reproof a tent or treat a load of jackets in one go.
Both the spray and wash-in formulas are safe, water-based, and won’t affect breathability. I’ve used Nikwax on Gore-Tex jackets, waterproof trousers, and even an old canvas tent. Restores water repellency and keeps things working as they should—no need for high heat drying or faffing around.
Nikwax’s wash-in system is ideal if you’re lazy or want to treat lots of gear in one wash. The spray’s better for targeting specific panels or seams. Either way, it revives waterproofing better than most.
Best for: technical shells, rain jackets, tents, walking trousers, and anything that needs breathability and a waterproof reset.
3. Professional Strength Outdoor Furniture Waterproofer
If you’ve got garden benches, deck chairs, or fabric parasols soaking up every drizzle, this is what you want. The spray forms an invisible shield—repels water, stops dirt sticking, fights UV (sofa cushions look smarter for longer), and helps prevent mildew.
Spray directly onto dry fabric—it won’t alter the feel or colour. I used it for a battered garden sofa last year that usually stinks after a few storms. This time? No dodgy smell, dry after the rain, and no green marks. The UV resistance means your nice navy cushions don’t bleach to a weird grey-blue halfway through summer.
Best for: garden furniture, patio umbrellas, awnings, and any home outdoor fabric that spends its life outside.
4. Other Reliable Sprays: Mountval and ABSAB
If you need a cheaper option or want something for less delicate kit, Mountval Waterproofing Spray is worth a look. It works for rucksacks, coats, and random gear—handy for youth group outings where things get lost or wrecked and you’re not investing big money.
ABSAB is another UK brand that’s rated by plenty of campers for quick top-ups or sprays when you’re not fussed about gear lasting a decade. Good for season-long use or backup kit in the car boot.
Quick Product Comparison Table
Our Pick Grangers Performance Repel Plus |
Runner Up Nikwax Waterproofer (Spray/Wash-in) |  Professional Strength Outdoor Furniture Waterproofer |  Mountval Waterproofing Spray | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Outdoor clothing, shell gear | Jackets, tents, technical gear | Patio/garden furniture | General outdoor kit |
| Eco-Friendly | Yes | Yes | Not specified | Not specified |
| Application | Spray-on | Spray or wash-in | Spray-on | Spray-on |
| Notable Features | PFC-free, bluesign, precise spray, recycled bottle | Breathable, safe, works on Gore-Tex/eVent/nylon/canvas | Invisible barrier, stops UV/stains/mould | Budget-friendly, works on most fabrics |
Best Way to Use Waterproofing Spray
Here’s where many get it wrong: Spray on dirty kit and the waterproof layer just seals the muck in place. Always start with a wash. Even if a jacket looks clean—trust me, it’s not. Use a technical wash (or mild soap for furniture) and rinse well.
Always spray in the open air or in a garage with the door wide open—these sprays aren’t perfume. Keep the nozzle about 15cm away, move steadily, and apply a thin, even layer. Watch for oversaturating seams, but don’t miss the shoulders, corners, or places that get extra abuse. For big jobs (awnings, cushions), a second light coating adds extra oomph.
Let it dry naturally. Don’t shove it in the airing cupboard or tumble dryer unless the label says so. It usually dries in a few hours, but read the back of the bottle for specifics.
Reapply as needed—some gear needs a top-up every season, others after a couple of washes or a stormy weekend. If you notice rain stops beading and starts soaking in, it’s time for a reproof.
Conclusion: The Right Spray for Your Outdoor Adventures
If you only take one thing from this: waterproofing isn’t optional for UK camping. Whether you want your jacket to survive another Peak District hike, or you just don’t want garden chairs turning into swamps over winter, the right waterproofing spray makes the job simple.
Choose Grangers Performance Repel Plus for performance clothing and eco peace of mind. Pick Nikwax for anything technical or for an easy wash-in treatment. For battered garden kit, the Professional Strength Outdoor Furniture Waterproofer is a game-changer. Don’t neglect the cheaper options for less precious kit or backups.
Best advice? Don’t believe your gear is waterproof forever. Treat it, check it, and reproof when water stops beading. Your future self (and your dry backside on a rainy night) will thank you for it.
Next time you’re packing for a trip or sorting the garden for spring, get that waterproof spray out. A little effort now means less time spent swearing at soggy kit—and more time enjoying everything the UK’s wild weather can throw at you.
