Down Wash.Direct®

Speciality cleaner designed to revitalise the water repellency and insulating properties of down filled gear. Easy to use in your washing machine, non flammable and PFC free.

For cleaning hydrophobic and regular down
  • Technical cleaner for both hydrophobic and regular down clothing and sleeping bags
  • Cleans effectively, revitalises insulation and restores the water repellency of hydrophobic down
  • Revives the performance of your down gear, keeping you warmer and drier
  • Recommended for Nikwax Hydrophobic Down, Hydrodown and all other down clothing and sleeping bags
Suitable for
How to use:
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Speciality cleaner designed to revitalise the water repellency and insulating properties of hydrophobic and regular down filled gear. Easy to use in your washing machine, non flammable and PFC free.

For cleaning hydrophobic and regular down


Why down items lose their insulating properties when they get dirty...

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 effects 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 revitalize the insulation and restore DWR.

Down is ideal for very cold and dry conditions…

Down has exceptional insulating properties, trapping air between its filaments to keep you warm. No other product offers so much insulation for so little weight and bulk. It’s ideal for sleeping bags, jackets, vests and down clothing in general.

Water, whether it is rain or condensation from sweat, compromises the insulating properties of down. If down gets wet it loses all of its insulating capacity and also causes weight gain. This reduces the comfort of the user, causing them to feel cold and wet, but more importantly the reduction in insulation is dangerous and in severe cases can lead to hypothermia. When wet, down loses all of its insulating properties, as water conducts heat away from the body up to 25 times faster than air.

Nikwax Down Wash Direct revitalizes insulation and restores the Durable Water Repellency (DWR) of both the outer fabric and down fill. This prevents water absorption and maintains breathability, keeping you warm, dry and comfortable.

Use Nikwax Down Wash Direct when your down items soak up water...

How Nikwax Down Wash Direct maintains your down items...

Machine Wash Icon
Use Nikwax Down Wash.Direct® in a washing machine…

 

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

Clothing: 

  1. Remove all detergent build-up from the detergent dispenser.
  2. Place maximum of 1 garment in washing machine.
  3. Add 100ml.
  4. Run a 30°C synthetic cycle on a slow spin, with an extra rinse if possible.

Sleeping Bags* (8kg+ washing machine):

  1. Remove all detergent build-up from the detergent dispenser.
  2. Place maximum of 1 item in washing machine.
  3. Add 100ml for 8-11kg machines. For 12kg machines use 250ml, for larger 25kg+ machines use 500ml.
  4.  Run a 30°C synthetic cycle on a slow spin, with an extra rinse if possible.

Drying: Do not dry before waterproofing. If care label allows, tumble dry according to manufacturers instructions on a low setting until “clumps” have disappeared. This may take multiple drying cycles. Teasing apart clumps by hand between drying cycles will help restore the loft more quickly.

*Sleeping bags and very large jackets are best hand washed in a bathtub or equivalent, or washed in a large professional machine at a laundromat.

Hand Wash Icon
Nikwax Down Wash.Direct® can also be applied by hand…

 

IMPORTANT: Use undiluted Nikwax 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. Use gloves. Sleeping bags and very large jackets are best hand washed in a bath or equivalent and then spin dried in a washing machine.

  1. For a maximum of 1 item: Add 100ml to 12-15L of warm water.
  2. Immerse item and agitate to mix, ensuring complete wetting.
  3. Leave to soak for 5 minutes, then agitate thoroughly.
  4. Rinse thoroughly until water runs clear.
  5. To remove excess water transfer item(s) to a washing machine and spin dry 3 times (slow spin)

Drying: Do not dry before waterproofing. If care label allows, tumble dry according to manufacturers instructions on a low setting until “clumps” have disappeared. This may take multiple drying cycles. Teasing apart clumps by hand between drying cycles will help restore the loft more quickly.