If you’re like most outdoors enthusiasts, you probably have a few pieces of gear that are your favorites – gear that you just can’t live without. For me, one of those items is my down jacket. I love the way it keeps me warm, and the fact that it’s so lightweight and packable. But after a while, even the best gear starts to show signs of wear and tear. That’s where Nikwax Tech Wash comes in. In this article, we’ll take a look at what Tech Wash is, how to use it, and some tips on how to get the most out of your products.
Nikwax Tech Wash
Nikwax Tech Wash is safe for use on all types of outdoor gear, including Gore-Tex®, eVent®, and other waterproof fabrics. It will not damage the Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish on your gear, which helps repel water and stains.Nikwax Tech Wash User Manual
Pros & Cons of Nikwax Tech Wash Proof
What is Nikwax Tech Wash?
Nikwax Tech Wash is a safe, high-performance cleaner for waterproof fabrics. It revitalizes breathability while breaking down the dirt and oils that accumulate on your gear over time, and then re-proofs it with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatment. Nikwax Tech Wash is the first step in maintaining your gear’s performance.
Nikwax Tech Wash is gentle on fabrics yet tough on grime. The unique cleaning solution contains no harmful solvents and is completely biodegradable. It will not damage delicate waterproof membranes or coatings, and it won’t leave behind any harmful residues.
One of the great things about Nikwax Tech Wash is that it can be used on both wet and dry gear. To get the best results, you should clean your gear with Nikwax Tech Wash before every use. This will help to extend the life of your gear and keep it performing at its best.[1],[2],[3]
How to Use Nikwax Tech Wash
Using Nikwax Tech Wash is easy. Simply add the recommended amount of cleaner to a washing machine and wash your gear on a regular cycle.
One important thing is, you can’t use any detergents when you’re cleaning with Nikwax Tech Wash. This includes powder, liquid, or gel detergents. The only thing you should add to the wash is the Nikwax Tech Wash cleaner. For this reason, make sure you properly clean the washing machine’s detergent drawer before using it to wash your gear.
Once you have cleaned your gear with Nikwax Tech Wash, you can re-proof it with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatment if necessary. This will help to restore the water-repelling finish on your gear and keep it looking new.
Nikwax offers a wide range of DWR treatments, including Nikwax TX Direct® Spray-On, Nikwax TX Direct® Wash-In, and Nikwax Fabric & Leather Proof™. You can find the right treatment for your gear by using the Nikwax product selector tool.
With Nikwax Tech Wash, you don’t need to re-waterproof your clothing each time you wash it – saving you time, money, and effort.
If you don’t have access to a washing machine, you can still clean your gear by hand. To do this, simply add the recommended amount of cleaner to a sink or basin filled with at least 6 liters of water. Then, gently scrub your gear with a soft brush to loosen any dirt and grime. Finally, rinse your gear thoroughly with clean water several times and allow it to air dry.
It’s important to wear gloves when you’re cleaning your gear by hand. This will help to protect your hands from the harsh cleaning solution. [1]
Differences Between Nikwax’s Tech Wash and TX Direct
Nikwax’s Tech Wash is a cleaner specifically designed for use on waterproof clothing and gear. TX Direct, on the other hand, is a waterproofing treatment. So, while you would use Tech Wash to clean your jacket before applying a fresh layer of TX Direct, you wouldn’t use TX Direct to clean your jacket – that’s what Tech Wash is for![1],[2],[3],[4]
Now that we’ve got that straight, let’s move on to the actual review. Overall, Nikwax’s Tech Wash is a really impressive product. It did an excellent job of cleaning waterproof gear without damaging it or stripping away any of the existing DWR (durable water repellent) coating. And best of all, it left all clothing smelling fresh and looking like new. Still, it’s worth talking about some of the specific features and downsides in more detail.
Advantages of Nikwax Tech Watch
It’s easy to use
One of the biggest advantages of Nikwax Tech Wash is that it’s very easy to use. Unlike some other washing products on the market, you don’t need to pre-wash your clothes or follow any special instructions. Simply add the Tech Wash to your washing machine according to the directions on the bottle, and then wash your clothes as usual.
The product is also very user-friendly because it doesn’t require any special equipment or knowledge to use. All you need is a washing machine. This makes it a great choice for people who are new to using technical cleaning products.
It salvages older gear
Another great advantage of Nikwax Tech Wash is that it can help to salvage older gear. If you have a piece of clothing or equipment that’s starting to feel worn down, using Nikwax Tech Wash can help to extend its life.
This is because the product is designed to clean and revitalize both natural and synthetic materials. Not only does this mean that you don’t have to replace your gear as often, but it also saves you money in the long run.
For this reason, Nikwax Tech Wash is also great for prolonging the life of outdoor equipment. If you have a tent or sleeping bag that clearly looks old, you can use this product to clean it and make it look and feel like new again. This is a huge advantage for people who love the outdoors and want to keep their gear in good condition for as long as possible.
You also won’t have to worry about any leftover residue when you use Nikwax Tech Wash since it doesn’t leave any!
Finally, Nikwax Tech Wash is also great for people who are trying to be more environmentally friendly. Nikwax never uses harmful PFCs or VOCs in their products, so you can rest assured that using Nikwax Tech Wash won’t damage the environment. The product is completely biodegradable, so it will eventually break down and won’t pollute the earth or water supplies. [1],[2],[3]
Helps to get rid of unpleasant odors
Moving on to some of the specific benefits of using Nikwax Tech Wash, one thing that really stands out is its ability to get rid of unpleasant odors. If you’ve ever had a piece of clothing that just smelled bad, no matter how many times you washed it, then you know how frustrating this can be. This is especially true for older pieces of clothing that may have been stored for a long time.
But with Nikwax Tech Wash, you can finally get rid of those pesky odors for good. The product works by breaking down the molecules that cause odors, so they’re eliminated completely. This means that your clothes will not only smell fresh and clean, but they’ll also stay smelling that way for longer.
Nikwax Tech Wash is also great for removing other types of stains and marks on your clothing.
This is a huge advantage, especially if you have expensive clothes that you want to keep in good condition. [1],[2],[3]
Prolongs water-repellency
One of the most common issues that people have with their gear is that it starts to lose its water-repellent properties over time. This can be for a number of reasons, but usually, it’s because the Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating has worn off.
This is because the product contains special cleaners and conditioners that work to restore the water-repellent finish on your clothes.
In addition to that, Nikwax also revitalizes breathability. This is an important feature for gear that’s meant to be used in outdoor activities, as it helps to prevent you from getting too sweaty and uncomfortable.
Of course you still will have to re-apply water repellent after a few washes but it is still a great advantage to have.
Offers a good value for the price
Finally, Nikwax Tech Wash is a great value for the price. When you compare it to other technical cleaning products on the market, you’ll see that it offers a lot of advantages for a very reasonable price. This makes it a great choice for people who are looking for a high-quality product that won’t break the bank.
Disadvantages of Nikwax Tech Watch
While Nikwax Tech Wash does have a lot of advantages, there are also a few disadvantages that you should be aware of.
It’s not very effective on stubborn stains
One of the biggest cons of Nikwax Tech Wash is that it’s not effective on stubborn stains. If you have a piece of clothing that has a tough stain, you may find that using Nikwax Tech Wash doesn’t do much to remove it.
This can be annoying, especially if you were hoping that the product would help to get rid of the stain completely. However, it’s important to remember that Nikwax Tech Wash is designed for general cleaning and care, not for removing tough stains.
It doesn’t make clothing waterproof on its own
Another factor some people may consider as an disadvantage of Nikwax Tech Wash is that it doesn’t make clothing waterproof on its own. It’s simply designed to revitalize the existing water repellent finish on clothing. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it’s something that you should be aware of before you purchase the product.
So if you’re hoping that Nikwax Tech Wash will make your clothes waterproof, you may be disappointed. Still, if your garment lacks waterproofing, it’s still recommended to wash it with Nikwax Tech Wash before applying a waterproofing treatment.
It comes in a small bottle
Finally, one more disadvantage of Nikwax Tech Wash is that it comes in a small bottle. This can be problematic if you have a lot of gear to clean, as you may find yourself running out of the product quickly.
Despite these few disadvantages, Nikwax Tech Wash is still a great product and one that we would recommend to anyone who is looking for a good technical cleaning solution. [1],[2],[3]
FAQ
Does Nikwax Tech Wash remove waterproofing?
No. Nikwax Tech Wash is a safe, high-performance cleaner for all types of waterproof clothing and equipment. It will not remove existing water repellents from fabrics or factory applied Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finishes from synthetic outerwear. Rather, it will restore them to their full effectiveness.
Nikwax Tech Wash is also safe for use on Gore-Tex®, eVent®, and other types of waterproof/breathable fabrics and membranes.
How much Nikwax Tech Wash do I use?
This is probably the most common question we get asked and unfortunately, there is no simple answer. The amount of Nikwax Tech Wash you will need to use will depend on a number of factors, including the type and size of your garment, as well as the level of soiling.
In general, we recommend using a few cups of Nikwax Tech Wash per garment. If your garment is particularly dirty or has stubborn stains, you may need to use a little more. For best results, follow the instructions on the bottle. If you are washing multiple garments at once, you may need to increase the amount of Nikwax Tech Wash you use accordingly.
How often should you use Nikwax?
You can use Nikwax Tech Wash as often as you need to clean your gear. However, we recommend that you only wash your gear when it is visibly dirty or after extended use.
Nikwax Tech Wash is safe for all types of outdoor gear including Gore-Tex and other waterproof fabrics. You can even use it on synthetic insulated clothing and down sleeping bags.
Can you use Tech Wash on down jackets?
Yes, you can use Nikwax Tech Wash on down-filled items such as jackets and sleeping bags. The product is designed to clean while also revitalizing the loft and water repellency of down feathers.
To wash a down jacket with Nikwax Tech Wash, simply add the product to your washing machine according to the instructions on the bottle. Then wash on a delicate cycle using cold water. Once the cycle is complete, remove your jacket from the machine and allow it to air dry.
Related Video: Nikwax Tech Wash & TX.Direct ReviewNikwax Cotton Proof Product Overview
Conclusion
All in all, Nikwax Tech Wash is a great product that can help you to keep your gear in good condition. It’s a cleaner that obviously cleans but also helps to restore the water repellency of your gear. It’s easy to use, it’s environmentally friendly, and it can help to extend the life of your clothing and equipment. While it doesn’t have some features that other technical cleaning products have, mainly how effective it is at removing tough stains, it’s still a great choice for most people. So, if you’re looking for a way to keep your clothes clean and fresh, then Nikwax Tech Wash is definitely worth considering. Thanks for reading!
References:
- https://www.nikwax.com/en-gb/products/Cleaning/tech-wash/
- https://road.cc/content/review/233937-nikwax-tech-wash-300ml
- https://www.snowmagazine.com/ski-gear/accessories/nikwax-tech-wash-and-tx-direct
- https://outdoorsmagic.com/article/nikwax-tech-wash-review/