Tech Wash®

Market leading cleaner designed to revitalise water repellency and breathability of waterproof gear. Easy to use in your washing machine or by hand.

For cleaning outdoor gear.
  • Technical cleaner for outdoor clothing and synthetic sleeping bags

  • Cleans effectively, restores water repellency and revives breathability

  • Revives the performance of your gear, keeping you warmer and drier

  • Recommended for Gore-Tex®, Windstopper®, Nikwax Analogy® and all other waterproof, windproof and fleece clothing and gear

  • Read more Read less
Suitable for:
How to use:

Market leading cleaner designed to revitalise water repellency and breathability of waterproof gear. Easy to use in your washing machine or by hand, non flammable and PFC free.

For cleaning outdoor gear

Why breathability depends upon water repellency...

Breathable waterproof garments are most likely to get sweaty and wet inside when used in damp or wet conditions. If the outer fabric absorbs water, the garment can lose up to 70% of its breathability. Therefore, the Durable Water Repellency (DWR) on the outer fabric of your jacket must be maintained to ensure comfort. Nikwax Tech Wash® will revitalise the DWR and therefore breathability of your garment.

Waterproof clothing needs to be breathable...

When we work hard, we sweat. The evaporation of sweat cools us down and keeps us comfortable. But, when it rains we want to avoid getting wet, so we put on waterproof outerwear to keep us dry.

The waterproof fabric must allow moisture vapour to pass through it, or 'breathe'; otherwise our sweat cannot evaporate, causing us to overheat and get wet from condensation. Additionally, if the outer fabric of your garment absorbs water and ‘wets out’ its breathability will be reduced, causing you to feel clammy and wet.

Nikwax Tech Wash® will revitalise the Durable Water Repellency (DWR) of your garment preventing water absorption, maintaining breathability and keeping you dry and comfortable.

Use Nikwax Tech Wash® when your waterproof clothing and equipment soaks up water...

Your waterproof clothing and equipment 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 'wetting out' in wet or damp conditions.

If your waterproof clothing or equipment is relatively new, or recently treated with a Nikwax waterproofer, then cleaning with Nikwax Tech Wash® will not only remove contaminants, such as dirt and residues left behind by household detergents, but also revitalise DWR.

Make sure you clean with the right product...

Conventional laundry 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 clothing and equipment.

Products that claim to clean and waterproof at the same time are generally not very effective cleaners and may seal in dirt.

Use Nikwax Tech Wash® to thoroughly clean your waterproof clothing and equipment safely, revitalise DWR and breathability.

You don't need to re-waterproof every time you clean...

Regular cleaning will enhance the performance of your gear. With regular cleaning, you should be able to clean your gear 5-6 times with Nikwax Tech Wash before it requires re-waterproofing. When Nikwax Tech Wash® alone does not revitalise the Durable Water Repellency (DWR) of your gear (e.g. water does not bead on the fabric surface) it’s time to re-waterproof using the appropriate Nikwax waterproofer.

How Nikwax Tech Wash® maintains your gear...

Nikwax Tech Wash® is the market leader; it has been specifically designed and optimised for breathable waterproof fabrics.

Nikwax Tech Wash® is a highly effective cleaner. Additionally it will revitalise existing Durable Water Repellency (DWR) and revive breathability. It is the safe way to thoroughly clean your waterproof clothing and equipment.

Application in a washing machine is quick, easy, and ensures that the whole garment is thoroughly cleaned.

washing machineUse Nikwax Tech Wash® in a washing machine...

Use neat Tech Wash® and a sponge, or soft nylon brush, to treat stubborn stains before washing. Remove all non-washable parts. Shake well before use. Follow care label instructions. Do not use conventional detergents.

  1. Remove all detergent build up from the detergent dispenser.
  2. Place item(s) in washing machine (maximum 2 items).
  3. Use 150ml in medium/hard water* areas and 100ml in soft water areas for 1-2 items.
  4. Wash according to care label.

* If your kettle furs up you have hard water. For extreme hard water use 200ml.

By handNikwax Tech Wash® can also be applied by hand...

Use gloves.

  1. Immerse item(s) in 6L hand-hot water in sink or bowl.
  2. Use 150ml in medium/hard water* areas and 100ml in soft water areas for 1-2 items.
  3. Rinse 3 times in clean water.

*If your kettle furs up you have hard water. For extreme hard water use 200ml.

If the item doesn’t require re-waterproofing, air dry or tumble dry on a low setting if care label allows.

If you intend to re-waterproof the washed item there is no need to dry it first.
Use Nikwax TX.Direct® for breathable clothing, Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof® for equipment, or Nikwax Cotton Proof for cotton, polycotton and canvas.

A 300ml bottle of Nikwax Polar Proof, waterproofer for fleece and synthetic insulating clothing.

PolarProof®

The only waterproofer designed to protect and enhance the properties of synthetic insulating gear. Easy to use in your washing machine or by hand, non flammable and PFC free.

View Product
A 300ml spray bottle of Nikwax Softshell Proof, waterproofing for softshell clothing.

Softshell Proof Spray-On

High performance waterproofer designed to enhance performance and revitalise breathability of softshell garments. Easy to apply by hand, non flammable, PFC and aerosol free.

View Product
A 300ml bottle of Nikwax Softshell Proof, wash-in waterproofing for all softshell garments.

Softshell Proof Wash-In

High performance waterproofer designed to enhance performance and revitalise breathability of softshell garments. Easy to use in your washing machine, non flammable and PFC free.

View Product
A 300ml bottle of Nikwax TX.Direct, our spray-on waterproofing for all breathable waterproof clothing with wicking liners.

TX.Direct® Spray-On

The high performance waterproofer designed to enhance performance and revitalise the breathability of waterproof clothing with wicking liners. Easy to apply by hand, non flammable, PFC and aerosol free.

View Product
A 300ml bottle of Nikwax TX.Direct Wash-in, our wash-in waterproofing for wet weather clothing.

TX.Direct® Wash-In

The high performance waterproofer designed to enhance performance and revitalise the breathability of waterproof clothing. Easy to use in your washing machine or by hand, non flammable and PFC free.

View Product
A 150ml pouch of Nikwax Concentrated Tent & Gear SolarProof, a waterproofer and UV blocker for all synthetic tents.

Concentrated Tent & Gear SolarProof®

The only waterproofer designed to protect against UV damage and enhance water repellency of all weatherproof textiles. Water based, non-flammable, PFC and aerosol free.

View Product
A 300ml bottle of Nikwax Cotton Proof, a high performance waterproofer for cotton and polycotton clothing and equipment

Cotton Proof

High performance waterproofer designed to enhance the performance of wet weather cotton and polycotton items. Easy to use in the washing machine or by hand, non flammable and PFC free.

View Product

Fabric & Leather Proof

High performance waterproofer designed to revitalise breathability of all combination fabric and leather footwear. Easy to apply by hand, non flammable and PFC free.

View Product