PROPER EQUIPMENT CARE EXTENDS THE LIFE OF THE PRODUCTS AND IS RESPONSIBLE

Correct maintenance and repair of clothes is one of the most important aspects of ecological consumption and outdoor activities, because the longer your clothes last, the less you need to buy new ones!

After your active adventures, your gear needs care. Over time, e.g. the surface impregnation of membrane clothing starts to wear out, the breathable pores become blocked and their protective properties weaken, if you do not maintain your clothes regularly and correctly.

Most waterproof products are finished with a chemical & Durable Water Repellent or DWR coating. The DWR surface weakens in use if the garment is not cleaned, washed and maintained regularly. When you maintain the DWR surface, it works properly to keep you dry and at optimal levels of breathability. In addition, the service life of the equipment is significantly longer when it is properly maintained.

In order to be able to take care of your equipment in the best possible way and guarantee their functionality during active use, we have collected a guide for washing, care and maintenance of your equipment.

Technical shell clothing

Waterproof and breathable shell clothing has become familiar to many in the last few decades. They must be properly cared for to ensure longevity and functionality. Technical waterproof and breathable materials must be clean to function properly. In addition, their lifespan is extended significantly with the right care.

The function of waterproof clothing is based on a close cooperation with the surface fabric and membrane material. When the surface of the garment is dry, the breathability of the waterproof membrane is also preserved. If the outer fabric gets wet due to the worn DWR treatment, the breathability of the product will also decrease.

Modern camping and outdoor products can be washed with water and a detergent suitable for the product. To wash outdoor products, it is recommended to use a liquid, low-foaming detergent, such as the Nikwaxin Tech Wash detergent found in our selection. Standard detergents should be avoided because their foaming ingredients create a residue that is difficult to rinse off. Precipitation left in the material weakens the possible breathability and ability to repel water.

The clothes are washed according to the product's washing and care instructions, either by hand or in a washing machine. Close the garment's zippers and Velcro fasteners. Remember to also loosen the drawstrings so that the product is as loose as possible when washing. Clean old detergent residues from your washing machine before washing your product. When washing shell clothes, you should avoid fabric softeners and bleaches.

Dry the garment at room temperature. Technical clothes can be sensitive to excessive heat, so tumble drying, for example, should be avoided.

Saturation

A waterproof and breathable garment should be saturated at the point when the water is no longer beading on the surface of the jacket.

Nikwax's TX.Direct products in our selection are suitable for all waterproof and breathable clothes. TX.Direct is a water-based impregnating agent that impregnates the surface of the garment.

One treatment with the impregnation remains in the fabric for several washes. TX.Direct impregnations also do not contain environmentally harmful fluorocarbon compounds, and they are also biodegradable. To get the best impregnation result, the garment should be washed before impregnation.

We recommend using the sprayable Nikwax TX.Direct Spray-On product on a wet fabric. Spray the impregnation evenly about 15 cm from the garment. Allow the product to dry for a few minutes, then remove any run-off with a damp cloth. Remember to check that all parts of the garment have been treated and finally wipe off any excess runoff.

In addition to spray impregnation, Nikwax's selection also includes TX.Direct Wash-In impregnation, with which impregnation can be carried out in a washing machine or in a large container. Always wash the garment before impregnating. After that, put the impregnant in the detergent tray or washing ball and wash the garment again with a short program. After this, you can dry the garment at room temperature.

However, when using washable impregnants for clothing, it is good to remember that the impregnating agent really covers the entire garment - including the inner surface of the waterproof and breathable membrane of shell garments, as well as any lining materials on the inner surface. These inner surfaces and linings are not intended to be impregnated to repel water, so the washable impregnation may reduce the breathability of the garment.

Nikwax's impregnations do not need heat treatment to activate, so your garment is ready for use as soon as it dries.

Down products

Washing down products is worth it, because clean down insulates dirt better, and is therefore warmer.

When washing down products, always follow the manufacturer's washing instructions, as the outer fabrics and other details of the product may require special cleaning methods, such as dry cleaning in the laundry.

The down product is washed with a liquid detergent intended for it, such as
With Nikwax Down Wash Direct . Carefully follow the dosage instructions on the bottle so that you do not use too much detergent. Traditional powdered or bleaching detergents must not be used when washing down products.

Feel free to wash one down product at a time, as down requires plenty of space and water to clean. It is recommended to use the rinse program a few times more than usual in order to remove possible detergent residues.

Dry the product either flat drying or tumble drying, following the product's washing instructions. A tumble dryer is the most convenient way to dry a washed down product, as the drying time is shorter than with flat drying, and the down does not clump as easily.

Check the wash cloth to see if tumble drying is suitable for your product. When tumble drying, use a low temperature and as long a drying time as possible. Interrupt the drying program every now and then to fluff the down lightly by hand. After drying, smooth the down filling by patting and fluffing it gently.

Washing wool

Wool is naturally greasy, which is why it tolerates moisture very well. Wool fiber is self-cleaning and it is not recommended to wash it too often, because even gentle washing takes away some of the fiber's natural fat. After use, it is better to hang woolen clothes to air out rather than wash them immediately.

Before washing, check the product's washing instructions. Some wools are not machine washable.
Hand washing is always the best option for a woolen product. If there are small stains on the garment, they can be easily washed by hand.

Only use wool detergents, they are always liquids, such as Nikwax Wool Wash .

Author - Tero Blomberg, Trotro Distribution Oy - importer of Nikwax