Using NIKWAX Down Wash Direct to clean down backpacking gear
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- Опубліковано 22 лип 2024
- amzn.to/2CjjTxh
To keep my down gear in almost new condition I wash it with Nikwax Down Wash Direct cleaner. It is an easy to use, safe, high performance technical cleaner for hydrophobic and regular down filled clothing and gear.
The only technical cleaner specifically designed for hydrophobic and regular down which cleans effectively, while restoring water repellency and maintaining fill power and insulation.
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 affects 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.
Your down items could be soaking up water because the Durable Water Repellency (DWR) has been compromised by dirt, or because it has been cleaned with a conventional laundry detergent. Dirt attracts water and household detergents leave water attracting (hydrophilic) residues, leading to fabric and down 'wetting out' in wet or damp conditions.
If your down items are relatively new, or have been recently treated with Nikwax Down Proof™, then cleaning with Nikwax Down Wash Direct will not only remove contaminants, such as dirt and residues left behind by household detergents, but also revitalize insulation and restore DWR.
However, once the gear has been thoroughly used, you will need to add DWR, using Nikwax Down Proof™, after cleaning first with Nikwax Down Wash Direct. This will add DWR to the outer fabric of the gear and also the down fill.
Nikwax Down Wash Direct has been specifically designed and optimized for down filled gear. It is a highly effective cleaner which removes body oils and dirt from both the fabric and the down fill. It also restores the Durable Water Repellency (DWR) of both the outer fabric and the down. This protects against rain and condensation, preventing the item from wetting out and maintaining the natural insulating properties of down. Additionally it revives breathability, allowing moisture vapour to pass through the item, optimizing performance in cold and damp conditions.
Nikwax Down Wash Direct prolongs the effective life of your down gear. It is the safe way to thoroughly clean your down clothing and equipment. Application in a washing machine is quick, easy, and ensures that the whole item is thoroughly cleaned.
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NikWax is great, been using it for years now. Highly recommend it. They also make a spray on proofer which is excellent.
Good tip on the tennis balls, didn't know that! Cheers, Marc
Bruce you are just full of useful knowledge. I liked the collaborative video you did with FullSpectrumSurvival! Good stuff.
Kenny
I like & use Nikwax Down Wash Direct. My take away is the pre-wash application of the product on heavily soiled areas.
Warm Regards from Reno, Nevada
This is great to know! I appreciate the video!
Thanks. I live in my gear it seems. Wear a lot of it normally just around the town. Some is pretty expensive so i think this is good insurance. Take care.
Very informative and helpful video! Thank you!
Thanks Emma. I live in a wet part of the country so I am always on the hunt for cleaning and waterproofing
Great info. I'll have to pick some up.
Thanks. Worked great and if you plan something to do while the drying is going on, like i went and did another gear video, the day turned out great.
It's nice to see that the gear is used, but keeping the gear clean is a must I think. As you said, it lasts longer.
Thanks. Do they have laundry places like that in the Philippines? I imagine sweat is a big factor in dirting up the gear pretty quick.
Yes, there are laundry shops here. Sweat is indeed a major factor. And dust. They don't go well together.
This is some great info, thank you!
Thanks Roger. Maybe since you have been laid up you can make yourself useful and start a gear laundry service. I am sure you have been sitting around eating ice cream a lot.
I have my next big surgery Wed. and then I will be off the couch and getting back in shape
I just want to cation everyone about the laundry mat washers and especially dryers. For some reason they get bent holes in the tumble barrels. I've ruined even though throw rugs in dryers because of those catching, snagging and tearing the fabrics. I don't know of any other options because line hanging on a windy day probably won't fluff a down bag. Just inspect carefully visually and with the palm of the hand before choosing a dryer and washer. You might need to go to more than one laundry mat.
Timely video. I was thinking I need to do this soon. Anyone ask you why you were filming your laundry?
I am doing the actual Down Tech that waterproofs the feathers more next. Super easy to do what I did though. The wash was about 23 minutes and 45 minutes to dry was almost perfect for that session. Maybe a little more dry wouldn't hurt. The next one though I think is more complicated. Will need to talk to Nikwax prior. The other people really didn't care at all. They all smiled and were having fun acting normal if they came near the camera but you could tell they were doing it on purpose..
Interesting..
Thanks for the video
Thanks Mark. Great little laundry up in North Bend just a couple blocks up from Twedes.
Oh yeah.. I know where that is. I used to cook at that restaurant when it was called Twin Peaks.
Great video Bruce. I have a few down items that I need to wash at some point here. I was reading that some folks have washed their bags/quilts etc. in the bath tub (after scrubbing all soap residue out of the tub) using a down cleaner like that. Have you ever tried it in the tub ? I was thinking of trying it in the tub and then trying to dry in my dryer with the heat completely off so that it won't melt to the metal vent area. I have heard it can take almost all day with no heat, but works. Your method of going to the laundry mat is much quicker. Oh, and did you get any funny looks from folks in there while you were filming ? hehe. Great video as always, thanks for sharing :) -Lochlainn
That does sound like a lot of time. More time than I would ever do. I keep an eye out for laundry marts for just this reason. It was funny with the other people. They seemed more uncomfortable in that I think they felt like they were real actors and needed to be doing something. For the most part though they were friendly and accommodating. Doing the pretreating was a really good idea on the lighter stuff especially.
Moss Stone Woodlore hand wash is always not bad, just cost so many time and arm power to finish wash process. Plus, down jacket gets really really heavy after soaking with water! Also，if u wanna save some time on dryer, better Spain it in washer in low.
Abviously this video is edited for time.
How long were you at the laundromat?
Because I followed this to the T and it took 5 hrs to do my sleeping bag!
Yes Fun Time, it took a long time as you experienced. I finally got my own washer and dryer so I can do it at home.
what if we dont have drier ?
I had to go to a laundromat. But I suppose you could just shake it real good and beat on it and it would work itself out eventuallly.
playback issue...
is it me or ???
Sorry, maybe retry. I just went through and it is working well now.
Dear people, Use your home washer intead of a public wash house. This is a good way to have random detergent left in washer from other random ppl. Let alone the washers are prob old and have burrs which will mess up your wash in the long run.
Lol common sense stuff ;) use Nikwax