What is DWR?
DWR, or durable water repellency, is a treatment that is applied to most waterproof outdoor clothing, footwear, and equipment. This treatment is what makes water “bead up” on the surface of items and not soak into the material.
Durable but not Permanent
Over time, the DWR may start to lose its effectiveness. This can be due to two things. The first is that the item is dirty. Dirt, oil, and other crud can effectively “mask” the DWR causing it to fail. The second is that DWR is not permanent, and over time it can wear away, especially in high friction areas. This will cause your item to soak up water or “wet out”.
Aftercare to the Rescue
Never fear! If your item is starting to soak up water, you only need two steps. The first is to clean with a proper cleaner to remove any dirt, oil, or detergent residue. (Household detergent is bad for waterproof performance!) The second step is to re-waterproof with a Nikwax waterproofer to add DWR back to the item. We recommend cleaning more frequently than waterproofing to keep your gear in tip-top shape and looking sharp!
Green for Clean
Nikwax products that are cleaners have a green cap! Whether it’s clothing, footwear or equipment, the first stage of the Nikwax process should always be to clean.
This removes contaminants, dirt and everyday grime that masks the water-repellent coatings on waterproof items. All water repellent finishes work at their best if the garments are kept clean.
Our spray-on and wash-in cleaners for clothing and equipment will safely remove any detergent residues ingrained in the fabric that would encourage wetting-out, ie. where water isn’t repelled from the fabric but absorbed into the fibres.
Our sponge-on cleaner for footwear effectively releases stains and grime from all types of footwear (fashion, leisure or sport) and will revitalise the appearance of soiled uppers, without stripping out the existing water-repellency. Ground in dirt rubs against the fibres of the leather / fabric and will eventually weaken them. Regular cleaning prevents damage.
You should always use our ‘green for clean’ products before applying the appropriate Nikwax ‘purple for proofer’ products.
Purple for Proof
Nikwax products with purple caps are waterproofers.
Using any one of our waterproofing products will ensure a durable, long-lasting effect against rain, keeping you, your feet or your equipment dry in wet weather.
Using Nikwax will maintain the breathable performance of gear, preventing moisture build-up on the inside of gear allowing it to be pushed from the inside out, keeping your body at the right temperature. At the same time Nikwax repels rain from the outer surface, keeping you dry from both directions.
Once you waterproof an item with a Nikwax waterproofer, you should always maintain its waterproofing performance by cleaning regularly with an appropriate Nikwax cleaning solution (for clothing and footwear).
