What is PFC? Why is it so important to use PFC-free products?
What is PFC? Why is it so important to use PFC-free products?
PFC stands for perfluorinated compounds, synthetic chemicals used to make products water and oil repellent, commonly found in outdoor gear. While PFCs are effective at repelling water and stains, these “forever chemicals” are incredibly persistent in the environment, taking up to 1,000 years to break down, leading to accumulation in water, soil and even our bodies, with studies showing potentially harmful effects on human health.
Legislation is stepping in, soon PFCs will be banned from technical outdoor gear. This change is a big step towards protecting our environment and health. The European Union has already introduced restrictions on the use of PFCs in textiles, and other countries are following suit. These regulations aim to phase out the use of PFCs in outdoor clothing and gear, pushing manufacturers to adopt safer alternatives.
However, truth be told, the new alternatives being used instead of PFCs aren't as effective. Short-chain fluorinated alternatives and non-fluorine containing substances, while safer, often don't provide the same level of water and oil repellency. This means new outdoor clothing is likely to be less water-repellent and resistant to dirt. To keep your gear performing at it's best, it’s vital to clean and re-proof your garments with our aftercare more often, to ensure you are enhancing the performance of your gear.
Switching to PFC-free products means choosing safer alternatives for both the environment and your health. Making this small change can make a big difference in protecting our planet for future generations. Keep our world clean and green!
At Storm, we've had a PFC-free range for over 20 years, understanding it is our responsibility to enable outdoor lovers to maximize the potential of their gear in a sustainable and eco-friendly way. We are leading the way in PFC-free technology within our industry. Our commitment to continuous improvement means that we are at the forefront of developing safer, more effective products for the benefit of our community and the environment.
Choose Storm and let your gear—and the planet—thrive together.
Our re-proofing product range: We offer two different ways to reproof your gear. You can use our apparel wash-in proofer, which can be done in the same wash cycle as the cleaning, saving on water and power as well as keeping washing to a minimum. The proof requires a quick tumble or iron once it has been line dried for the heat to activate the DWR finish. Or you can use our spray-on proofer, which is quick and easy to use especially when you are on the move and your gear needs a quick top-up. This is sprayed on the outside of the garment and has the strongest concentration.