All Products | Conditioning | Waterproofing
Cleaning
WaterBased treatments that clean and maintain the functional properties of outdoor clothing, footwear and equipment.
Easy to use, safe, high performance cleaningWhy you need Nikwax Cleaners...
Nikwax Cleaners are specifically designed to revitalise the functional properties of the fabrics and materials that they are used on.
Breathable waterproof items always come pre-treated with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating that prevents the absorption of water into the material. DWR is compromised by dirt, or by cleaning with a conventional laundry detergent. Dirt attracts water and household detergents leave water attracting (hydrophilic) residues, leading to fabric 'wetting out' in wet or damp conditions. Nikwax Cleaners for waterproof items clean water-repellent fabrics effectively and revitalise DWR by removing water-attractive dirt and detergent residues.
Base layers are designed to be worn next to the skin, providing user comfort by maintaining body temperature and controlling moisture. The fabrics used are highly wicking (they will spread moisture out over a large area), fast drying and breathable. It is therefore essential to maintain these properties when caring for base layers. Nikwax Cleaners for base layers clean effectively and make the fabric surface especially water-attractive (hydrophilic), thereby improving its wicking ability and accelerating drying.
Maintenance is essential to preserve the functional performance of materials...
Breathable waterproof items need a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating on their surface in order to breathe effectively in wet or damp conditions. Through use, dirt and mud will stick to the surface of items; these are hydrophilic (attract water), and cause materials to ‘wet out’, compromising breathability.
Nikwax Cleaners for waterproof items remove dirt, revive DWR and maintain breathability.
Conversely, base layers, which are designed to be worn next-to-the-skin, need to be water-attractive (hydrophilic) and able to move moisture. Care must be taken when washing. Using conventional household detergents or fabric conditioners can impair wicking properties by causing the fabric to retain moisture. This leads to reduced wicking capabilities and slow drying of the fabric.
Nikwax Cleaners for base layers clean effectively and make the fabric surface especially hydrophilic, making them more comfortable to wear when active.
Nikwax Cleaners are useful for everyone...
Nikwax Cleaners are useful for anyone and everyone, but in particular for those who are very physically active or spend a lot of time outdoors. Nikwax is a favourite with mountaineers, walkers, cyclists, motorcyclists, horse riders and for people who work up a sweat at the gym.
Use Nikwax Cleaners to revitalise your gear...
When the outer surface of your waterproof gear starts to absorb water instead of repelling it, it’s time to clean it with a Nikwax Cleaner. Your gear could be soaking up water just because it is dirty. Dirt attracts water, so it will mask Durable Water Repellency (DWR). Try cleaning it with a suitable Nikwax Cleaner, and if it is fairly new, or recently re-waterproofed, the DWR will be revitalised just from cleaning. But, once the item has been thoroughly used, you will need to add DWR, using a suitable Nikwax Waterproofer, after cleaning.
When your base layers have been used a few times and are starting to smell, wash them with a suitable Nikwax Cleaner to deodorise, freshen, soften, and improve drying and cooling. Using Nikwax Cleaners to maintain your base layers will enhance their technical attributes and keep you comfortable for longer.
Conventional household detergents are detrimental to the performance of technical fabrics...
Nikwax Cleaners are specifically designed to be safe for you and safe for your gear.
Conventional household detergents leave behind a water-attractive (hydrophilic) residue which masks the Durable Water Repellency (DWR), causing fabrics to absorb water and ‘wet out’ in damp or wet conditions. Therefore, they need to be avoided when cleaning waterproof items.
Nikwax Cleaners for waterproof items clean effectively, revitalise DWR and maintain breathability.
Standard household laundry products will also impair the wicking properties of base layer fabrics, preventing them from spreading moisture and working to their maximum potential.
Nikwax Cleaners for base layers improve wicking, accelerate drying, and remove, as well as prevent, odour build up.
Make sure you clean with the right product...
Nikwax Cleaners are designed to revitalise the performance of materials that they are used on, maintaining your comfort.
There are essentially 2 categories of Nikwax Cleaner. Both are designed to maintain the technical attributes of the materials that they are used on. To achieve this, the cleaners work differently so it is essential that you use the right product for the material you are cleaning.
Nikwax Cleaners for waterproof items clean water-repellent fabrics effectively and revitalise Durable Water Repellency (DWR) by removing water-attractive dirt and detergent residues.
Nikwax Cleaners for base layers clean effectively and make the fabric surface especially water-attractive (hydrophilic), thereby improving its wicking ability and accelerating drying.
How Nikwax Cleaners maintain your gear...
Nikwax Cleaners are specifically designed to clean effectively without compromising the functionality of the materials they are used on.
Nikwax Cleaners for waterproof items clean without damaging Durable Water Repellency (DWR) and revive breathability.
Nikwax Cleaners for base layers clean effectively and make the fabric surface especially water-attractive (hydrophilic), thereby improving its wicking ability and accelerating drying.
Like all Nikwax products, Nikwax Cleaners are safe to use...
Nikwax takes great care to minimise the effect of Nikwax products on the environment and on you, the consumer. Nikwax avoids materials in its cleaners like palm oil, which may be sourced from unsustainable plantations.
Nikwax Cleaners are environmentally friendly; they are non-hazardous, WaterBased and biodegradable.
Additionally, Nikwax minimises its carbon footprint in production and balances its carbon emissions through contributions to conservation projects.
People who use Nikwax say that it does the job...
Nikwax is the product of choice of professional Outdoor trainers. To find out more about people who use Nikwax products, take a look at our testimonials page.
Nikwax Cleaners can be applied in a washing machine or by hand...
Nikwax make cleaning products for waterproof clothing, base layers, footwear and equipment.
Depending on which product you are using the application will be either wash-in, sponge-on or spray-on.
All Nikwax Cleaners are easy to use.
Benefits of wash-in application...
Many Nikwax Cleaners can be applied in the washing machine. If your item is machine washable this is an exceptionally easy way to ensure that it has been thoroughly cleaned.
All you need to do is place your item into the washing machine and then run a normal cycle using the appropriate Nikwax Cleaner.
Alternatively, Nikwax wash-in Cleaners can be applied by hand washing.
Benefits of spray-on and sponge-on application...
Spray-on and sponge-on Nikwax Cleaners are ideal for items such as boots, rucksacks and clothing which are not machine washable.
Nikwax uses trigger sprays to avoid the need for aerosol propellants which are known greenhouse gases, and also flammable.
An added benefit is that these produce relatively large particles which are more difficult to inhale than the particles emitted by aerosols, thus making them safer for you to use.