As one of the leading providers of cleaning and reproofing products for outdoor gear, Nikwax know a thing or two about looking after your gear. Set up by Nick Brown, a keen walker and outdoor enthusiast, over 40 years ago, they've perfected their products to keep your outdoor gear performing at its best for longer.

With everything from boot cleaning and reproofing to garment care and specialist down wash, they have products designed for your every need. But what should you be using and when? Below we answer some of your burning question about using Nikwax. 

Most garments will come with a factory-applied durable water repellent treatment (DWR), so you don't need to treat the product from new. However, dirt and abrasion will affect the water repellency, so if the jacket gets dirty after one trip, it's worth cleaning with Nikwax Tech Wash.

Once you notice water being absorbed into the outer (face) fabric of the garment it is time to wash it, as dirt will mask the original durable water repellent treatment.

To wash:

STEP 1 – Prepare

• Before washing, zip the front, pockets and pit zips completely

• Fasten any loose flaps and straps

• Remove all non-washable parts

STEP 2 – Clean with Nikwax Tech Wash

• Use neat Tech Wash and a sponge or soft nylon brush to treat stubborn stains before washing

• Remove all detergent from the detergent dispenser

• Place item(s) in washing machine (maximum two items)

• Use 150ml in medium/hard water* areas and 100ml in soft water areas for 1-2 items

• Wash according to care label

To dry:

STEP 1

• Tumble dry on a warm gentle cycle if care label allows, or line dry your outerwear

• Don't dry at a high temperature

STEP 2

• Once dry, tumble dry for a further 20 minutes to reactivate the durable water repellent (DWR) treatment 

• If a dryer isn't available, iron the garment on a gentle setting

• When ironing, protect the garment with a towel or cloth

• Don't use steam

• You can do this step any time you notice the water repellency needs a boost

When cleaning no longer restores water repellency, it is time to reproof with Nikwax TX. Direct.

To reproof:

STEP 1 - Prepare

• Always clean items first with Nikwax Tech Wash in a separate wash cycle

• There's no need to dry items before waterproofing

• Remove all non-washable parts 

STEP 2 - Wash

• Remove all detergent from the detergent dispenser

• Place maximum of two clean garments in washing machine

• Follow care label instructions

• Use 100ml per garment

• Run 30°C synthetic cycle and slow spin

Don't apply DWR to GORE-TEX products with a persistent beading surface (e.g. GORE-TEX SHAKEDRY™ garments). 

Nikwax products don't need heat to establish the bond between the waterproofing polymer and fabric. However, some factory-applied durable water repellent treatments (DWR) do require heat to reactivate them by tumble-drying (on a low setting), so always check the manufacturer’s instructions for specific guidelines.

Over time, there should be less need to apply heat as the Nikwax polymer replaces the original DWR on the fabric.

To clean:

STEP 1

• Remove the laces, then shake out any sand, gravel, and dirt from inside the footwear

• If possible, remove and shake out the foot bed or insole

STEP 2

• Brush off loose dirt with a sponge or brush

• Apply Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel to the outer surface of the shoe

• Agitate using a brush to lift any stubborn dirt

• Rinse off the Cleaning Gel with water

To reproof:

• Once water no longer beads and runs off, apply the relevant Nikwax waterproofing product

• Use Nikwax Fabric & Leather Proof for synthetic or mixed material outers

• Use Nikwax Nubuck and Suede Proof for Nubuck or Suede outers

• Use Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather for full grain leather outers

To dry:

• Dry naturally at moderate temperatures - use balled up newspaper to help absorb moisture naturally

• Avoid direct heat as this can damage the shoe

• Don't let the footwear stay wet too long

• Convection-style boot dryers work well