How to Care for Your Pomppa

Since the beginning, our goal has been to create long-lasting products that withstand both time and use. Pomppa has been part of everyday life of dog owners for over a decade, and as a testatement to the durability of the materials, the first Pomppa jackets can still be seen worn by our customer’s dogs! Pomppa is a long-term purchase as long as it’s properly cared for, so here’s our best tips on taking care of your product!

DAILY CARE

Drying. Pomppa is a dog’s best friend, especially on a rainy day. After use, a wet jacket should always be dried thoroughly. So instead of folding the jacket into a closet or leaving it on the floor to dry, hang it up and let it dry in a well-ventilated space, preferably outdoors. This prevents the jacket from wrinkling and developing any unwanted odors.

Stain removal. Be sure to remove all kinds of stains from the jacket as soon as they appear, whether it’s caused by a sudden dive into a mud puddle or crazy adventure on a rainy day. First, let the jacket dry thoroughly, as dried up sand and debris come off easily by shaking and gently wiping. Remaining stains can be removed locally with a damp cloth. Use mild detergent if necessary. Avoid rubbing the outer fabric excessively, as it can wear out the fabric’s water resistance properties.

Odor removal. As with all dog gear, some unpleasant odors may appear over time, even if there’s no visible dirt to be seen. Unwanted odors can be prevented by regularly airing out the product in fresh outdoor air. If the odors are hard to get rid of, insert the product in a plastic bag and place it in a freezer for a few hours. This should eliminate the odor-causing bacteria.

CARE WHEN NECESSARY

Machine wash. Avoiding any unnecessary washing is recommended. In addition to high water consumption, washing also wears out the technical properties of the coat, like the fabric’s waterproof membrane and the water-repellent coating. Washing the product properly can significantly extend its life:

1. Close the belt buckle to prevent damage to other products in the washing machine
2. Choose a 30 °C delicate cycle and a maximum spin speed of 400 rpm.
3. Use a mild, liquid detergent. The liquid detergent washes off easily thus maintaining the product’s breathability and water resistance. We recommend using a unscented detergent to avoid leaving any strong scents on the coat that may be unpleasant for your dog.
4. Neutralize any possible odors using vinegar with a dosage of 0,5-1 tbsp per coat. 
5. Do not use fabric softener or bleach, as they weaken the fabric’s waterproof membrane.
6. Let the coat dry by either hanging it or leaving it on a drying rack. 
7. After each wash, we recommend “reactivating” the coat’s water-repellent coating. See instruction below.

Reactivating and re-treating the water repellency. The shell fabric of Pomppa coats is finished with a DWR treatment, which keeps the fabric water-repellent. After washing the product, the DWR treatment must be reactivated. It’s done by heating the product in a drying cabinet, tumble dryer or in a sauna at 60 °C for a few minutes. 

The DWR treatment also wears off over time. The product should be re-treated after water no longer beads up on the surface. The water-repellency can be restored using waterproofing products available at outdoor supply stores. Always follow the instructions found on the coating product’s label.

Note that the water-repellency does not affect the fabric’s water resistance. If the fabric gets saturated with water, the coat is still waterproof, but only the moisture doesn’t evaporate through the fabric as effectively anymore.

Repair. The high-quality materials make Pomppa products easy to repair when necessary. A broken plastic buckle can be replaced using a correctly sized spare buckle. Note that replacing the insertion end of the buckle requires sewing, whereas the hook end can be simply run through the strap.

Recycling. A properly maintained Pomppa will last for years. Before you decide to throw away a broken or worn out product, check first if it’s repairable. If you have a product that’s no longer in your use, we recommend passing it on to another dog. This way Pomppa brings joy to the next owner as well!

Pomppa is a long-term investment as long as it’s properly maintained and cared for! Feel free to contact us if you need more information about the care or maintenance of your product.