How To Care For a Waxed Jacket (..and What Not To Do)
When I first started exploring menswear and gear made in America, I stumbled upon waxed canvas jackets. Waxed canvas was a new discovery for me, and something about a natural fabric being water repellent really caught my attention. I got my first waxed canvas jacket in 2016 manufactured from a company out of Ventura, California (Iron & Resin) and it was glued to me for months and years after purchasing it.
It was the 'Rambler Jacket' - in a British Millerain 12oz waxed canvas. I remember finding it at a local mountain/surf shop in Santa Barbara - Mountain Air Sports. I was very excited but, admittedly, I was hesitant to buy the jacket since I had rent to pay in the coming days. Though as time went on the jacket wore in beautifully, I paid many rents, and I wore the hell out of the 'Rambler'. Whiskers and wrinkles began to show at every crease. It was gorgeous..
"Looking back, I laugh at how clueless I was"
Though, with it being my first and only waxed canvas garment, I was not experienced or educated in how to clean the jacket and as time went on, it was apparent that it could use some care. Not that I didn’t have the resources though - Iron & Resin has very clear instruction on their website. It gives direction and care while also giving a nice background of waxed canvas as well.
(If you are here looking for care, spot cleaning guide, etc. you can find a link at the bottom of this page with those details)
Anyways, after years of use - I had this circular oil stain on the front left pocket. I don’t remember now if I even tried to clean it properly or rub the stain out with a toothbrush. Not to mention I had already yanked off a few of the shank buttons. I headed to my local dry cleaner to see if I could rid myself of this stain. That’s where I had laundered some of my formal wear and I figured that’s where I should go. Ironically enough, the dry cleaner felt like a ‘coming of age’ sort of place. A place I went as I matured and learned how to properly manage certain garments. Waxed canvas was NOT one of those garments. I just assumed that dry cleaning was the best possible solution and that they would know how to spot clean. Looking back, I laugh at how clueless I was. Not surprisingly, the stain did come out. But, so did all the wax.. and the jacket was now about 3 shades lighter.
It’s an odd side effect (for lack of a better term) of shopping at a brick and mortar. I didn’t think to look up the garment online to find out more info. I just found it and wore it. Which is what it’s all about! I just wish I had looked into it more. Ultimately, it’s what made me learn and will continue to be the reason I will learn about caring for any of my garments and fabrics in the future.
Fast forward some years and we have what you see today. My 'Rambler Jacket' still functions as thicker outer layer. Wax on, wax off… the jacket still looks great and keeps you warm. It unfortunately has lost all of its water repellency after the dry clean though.
Iron & Resin is a southern California based company who believes in timeless goods. The Rambler Jacket is a testament to that. I fell in love with Iron & Resin early in my search for American made gear and have countless garments from them in my closet. The company embodies freedom inspired, moto-culture stemming from a 'blue collar beach town'. The 'Rambler' was the first piece cut and sewn by Iron & Resin back in July 25th, 2013. “Tailored to our daily deeds. developed for our lifestyle. ready for really anything. not too technical. but stylish. you know, the basics.”
Take a look at their site for information on the PROPER techniques to care for, clean, and manage your waxed canvas and more.
