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Reproofing your outdoor garments is important to maintain waterproofing , breathability, and durability. Over time, exposure to weather, dirt, and wear can cause the durable water repellency (DWR) on your jacket or gear to break down, reducing its ability to repel water and protect you. Cleaning and reproofing helps restore these properties, ensuring that your gear continues to perform effectively in wet conditions. It also extends the life of your gear, saving you money in the long run by keeping it in good condition.

Normal detergents will leave a water-attracting residue on your outdoor clothing, so if you’ve already washed your outdoor clothing with regular detergent or washing powder, you can still restore its performance by cleaning it properly with Nikwax. Start by cleaning your washing machine’s detergent tray to remove any detergent or fabric softener residue. Then, use the appropriate Nikwax cleaner, such as Tech Wash® or Down Wash.Direct®, and wash the garment according to the care label instructions for cycle and temperature.

If the garment has visible stains or heavy dirt, spot-treat these areas with neat Tech Wash or Down Wash.Direct before washing. Since regular detergent can strip the Durable Water Repellency (DWR) coating, check if the garment still repels water after cleaning. If necessary, reproof it with a Nikwax reproofing product, such as TX.Direct® Wash-In or Down Proof, following the product instructions to restore water repellency.

Durable Water Repellency (DWR) is an invisible water-repellent finish applied to the outer fabric of most outdoor clothing and equipment. It prevents the fabric from absorbing water by making water bead up on the surface and roll off. Maintenance of the DWR with one of our cleaning products is vital to allow the fabric to breathe.

The more you exercise, the hotter you get and the more you sweat. As the sweat evaporates it cools you down. Breathable garments allow the sweat vapour to escape, keeping you comfortable. If the sweat vapour is allowed to build up in your clothing, it becomes damp and you will become clammy and uncomfortable

TX.Direct Wash-In provides complete and even coating across the entire garment, ensuring that hard-to-reach areas like seams and stitching are fully protected. Using TX.Direct Wash-In is ideal for providing quick, thorough coverage in a single wash cycle.

TX.Direct Spray-On is ideal for treating items that cannot be machine washed, offering targeted waterproofing without affecting performance. TX.Direct Spray-On is an easy-to-use solution for items that require extra protection in specific areas or for those that can’t be machine washed, helping to maintain breathability and waterproofing over time.

Our footwear products are specially formulated to minimise any change in colour, texture or appearance however we always advise testing the product on a hidden area prior to complete application.

No. Nikwax treatments do not change the colour, texture or feel of garments or sleeping bags.

Yes. Sometimes in delivery and changes in temperature, will encourage the solution to separate, or if the product hasn’t been used for any length of time. Just shake or agitate to mix the solution and apply.

All our products have a freezing point of -2⁰C although anything from 0⁰C could be considered a ‘danger’ point. Store in a cool, dry place, rather than outside. If your product has been accidentally frozen, we would advise that you do not use it and dispose the product.

For light use, reproof once a year and for heavier use, reproof 2-3 times a year.

Yes. We strongly recommend using Nikwax Tech Wash or one of our cleaners as a pre-wash to remove dirt and any detergent residues that can prevent the waterproofing from bonding to the fabric fibres.

It is advisable to inspect the seam tape if it is accessible. If you notice loose tape seams we would recommend, if under guarantee that it be professionally re-taped, cleaned and reproofed by the garment’s manufacturer. If not in guarantee you can glue them carefully with a clear glue. Follow up with a clean using a gentle hand wash of Tech Wash followed by a hand- wash application of TX.Direct Wash-In.

No. We have created products that do not need heat to establish the bond between the waterproofing polymer and fabric. The performance of all Nikwax treatments is excellent with air drying.

Yes, in hard water areas you may need to use slightly more Nikwax product when reproofing your gear. Hard water contains higher levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium, which can affect the performance of detergents and waterproofing treatments. In these areas, using a bit more of the product helps ensure that the treatment is effective and evenly applied. Please refer to the product instructions for specific dosage information.

Wicking is the process by which fabrics draw sweat away from the skin and spread it across the surface for faster evaporation. This helps keep you dry, cool, and comfortable, which is essential for outdoor activities. Regular detergents, however, can leave residues on fabrics that block the wicking process, reduce breathability, and compromise the performance of technical fabrics. Using a specialist product like Nikwax BaseWash® or Nikwax Sports Refresh ensures the fabric remains free from these residues, maintaining its ability to wick moisture and perform effectively.

Being PFAS-free means that a product does not contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are a group of man-made chemicals used in many products for their water-repellent and stain-repellent properties. PFAS are persistent in the environment and can accumulate in the human body, potentially causing health and environmental concerns. When a product is PFAS-free, it indicates that it has been manufactured without these harmful chemicals, making it safer for both users and the planet. At Nikwax we have never used PFAS in any of our products, opting to use water-based formulations in order to prioritise the environment and user health while still providing high-performance water-repellency for outdoor gear.

Enjoying the outdoors doesn’t need to cost the earth: Nikwax have been outdoor industry leaders in producing sustainable aftercare since 1977. All of our products are water-based and we have never used PFAS. As part of our continuing commitment to both people and planet, all of our operational carbon emissions are balanced and 1% of our turnover is pledged to social and environmental causes.

Yes, Nikwax spray-on proofers should be applied to wet garments, items should always be cleaned with the relevant Nikwax cleaner prior to treatment.

Waterproofing Wax for Leather can be applied to wet or dry footwear, for all other proofers you will need to wet the substrate before application. Always clean with Footwear Cleaning Gel prior to treatment.