Nikwax Down Wash Direct 300ml Cleaner for Insulated Fabrics  £8.50

Nikwax Down Wash Direct - 300ml Bottle

Cleans effectively, while restoring water repellency and maintaining fill power and insulation.

Down is an amazing natural fiber that has an unbeatable warmth to weight ratio. It's compressible, resilient and very long lasting if properly maintained. The major drawback of using down-filled clothing is it's inability to retain loft and insulate when wet. The structure of down allows air to be trapped between its filaments and warmed by body heat to provide insulation for the user. If down gets wet it clumps together. This causes it to lose loft and insulation as it can’t trap air effectively. When wet, down loses all of its insulating properties, as water conducts heat away from the body up to 25 times faster than air. It will also gain weight and its breathability will be significantly reduced; leaving you feeling cold, wet and uncomfortable.

Dirt and body oils will contaminate the down causing it to clump together and loose loft. Dirt also attracts water and reduces the beading-up of droplets on the fabric's surface.

Nikwax Down Wash is the only technical cleaner that has been specifically designed and optimised for hydrophobic and regular down. It is a must have for people who enjoy outdoor pursuits.

* Never use liquid detergents or fabric softeners. Wash the garment in Nikwax Down Wash non-detergent soap. Detergents can leave water-attractive residues that will not rinse out. They also contain agents that can wash away the natural oils of the down. 

Watch this short video to know more about Nikwax Down Wash Direct:

Features:

• Restores the loft and natural water-repellency of down garments, sleeping bags and comforters
• Effectively cleans heavily soiled down-filled equipment
• Non-detergent and bio-degradable
• Preserves the water-repellency of outer fabrics as well as the down and helps the down and feathers regain their "bounce" and loft
• Can be applied directly to remove grease spots or stains
• Product of choice of professional Outdoor trainers.
• 300ml / 10.5oz bottle is suitable for up to 6 items.

How to use Nikwax Down Wash:

Your down gear could be soaking up water just because it is dirty. First, try cleaning it with Nikwax Down Wash, and if it is fairly new, or recently re-waterproofed, the Durable Water Repellency (DWR) will be revitalised just from cleaning.

Once the gear has been thoroughly used, you will need to add DWR using Nikwax Down Proof. This will add DWR to the outer fabric of the gear and also the down fill.

Sleeping bags and very large jackets are best hand washed in a bath or equivalent and then spin dried in a washing machine.

Use neat Down Wash Direct to treat stubborn stains before washing. Remove all non-washable parts. Shake well before use. Follow care label instructions. Do not use conventional detergents.

• Washing Machine (for down clothing only)

For best results remove all non-washable parts before cleaning item(s) with Nikwax Down Wash. Shake well before use. Follow care label instructions (sleeping bags and large items can be treated by hand).

1. Remove all detergent build up from the detergent dispenser.
2. Place maximum 2 items in washing machine.
3. Add 100ml / 3.5oz
4. Wash according to care label, preferably on low setting and slow spin.
5. After the cycle has finished run multiple spin cycles, each time incrementally increasing the spin speed, to remove excess water. Wet down is heavy, so if items are spun too quickly while still holding a large amount of water it is possible that internal baffles may be broken.

• If you intend to re-waterproof the washed item there is no need to dry it first.
• Tumble drying is recommended (if care label allows) to ensure that the down is dried thoroughly and as quickly as possible. Leaving down wet or damp can ruin it completely. Tumble dry according to manufacturer’s instructions on a low setting until clumps have disappeared. Ensure that there is sufficient room in the tumble drier to house the item once dry, as items will return to their original size during the drying process.
• Teasing apart clumps repeatedly during drying process will help restore loft to the down.

Once the gear has been thoroughly used, you will need to add Durable Water Repellency (DWR) using Nikwax Down Proof. This will add DWR to the outer fabric of the gear and also the down fill. Do not use detergents.

* Hand wash sleeping bags or wash in a professional machine.

• Hand Wash

For best results remove all non-washable parts before cleaning item(s) with Nikwax Down Wash. Shake well before use. Follow care label instructions (sleeping bags and large items can be treated by hand).

Use gloves.

1. Add 100ml / 3.5oz to 12-15L / 406-508oz of hand-hot water.
2. Immerse item and agitate to mix, ensuring complete wetting.
3. Leave to soak for 5-10 minutes, then agitate thoroughly.
4. Rinse thoroughly until water runs clear.
5. To remove excess water transfer item(s) to a washing machine and run multiple spin cycles, each time incrementally increasing the spin speed. Wet down is heavy, so if items are spun too quickly while still holding a large amount of water it is possible that internal baffles may be broken.

• If you intend to re-waterproof the washed item there is no need to dry it first.
• Tumble drying is recommended (if care label allows) to ensure that the down is dried thoroughly and as quickly as possible. Leaving down wet or damp can ruin it completely. Tumble dry according to manufacturer’s instructions on a low setting until clumps have disappeared. Ensure that there is sufficient room in the tumble drier to house the item once dry, as items will return to their original size during the drying process.
• Teasing apart clumps repeatedly during drying process will help restore loft to the down.

Once the gear has been thoroughly used, you will need to add Durable Water Repellency (DWR) using Nikwax Down Proof. This will add DWR to the outer fabric of the gear and also the down fill. Do not use detergents.

Nikwax Product Ethics:

Nikwax takes great care to minimise the effect of Nikwax waterproofing products on the environment and on you, the consumer.

• Nikwax waterproofing products are WaterBased, Non-aerosol, Non-flammable, Non-hazardous, and Environmentally Friendly.
• Zero PFC - Completely free of fluorocarbons (which have been shown to be persistent in the environment and have been associated with serious health issues).
• Nikwax waterproofing products contain no harmful solvents or volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Down Care:

Down filled items are used to provide lightweight insulation to keep you warm. The structure of down allows air to be trapped between its filaments and warmed by body heat to provide insulation for the user. Through use, dirt and body oils build up on down items. This affects both the fabric and the down fill. Dirt attracts water; if the fabric absorbs water, rain and condensation can easily transfer into the down. If down gets wet it clumps together. This causes it to lose loft and insulation as it can’t trap air effectively. When wet, down loses all of its insulating properties, as water conducts heat away from the body up to 25 times faster than air. It will also gain weight and its breathability will be significantly reduced; leaving you feeling cold, wet and uncomfortable. Down filled items are most likely to get sweaty and wet inside when used in damp or wet conditions. 

Therefore it is important to stop down filled gear from getting wet by maintaining Durable Water Repellency (DWR). The outer fabric of your down filled item, as well as the down inside, must be maintained to ensure comfort. Nikwax Down Wash Direct will revitalise the insulation and restore DWR. 

Once the gear has been thoroughly used, you will need to add DWR using Nikwax Down Proof.