Down Proof™

$13.95

Specialty waterproofer designed to protect the insulating properties of down-filled gear from wet and damp conditions. Easy to use in the washing machine or by hand, non flammable and PFC free.

For waterproofing down

  • Easy to use wash-in waterproofing for all down clothing and sleeping bags.

  • Adds water repellency and revitalizes insulation.

  • Enhances the performance of your down gear, keeping you warmer and drier.

  • Recommended for Nikwax Hydrophobic Down™, Hydrodown™ and all other down clothing and sleeping bags.

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Suitable for:
How to use:
    • $13.95
    • Bottle

Speciality waterproofer designed to protect the insulating properties of down-filled gear from wet and damp conditions. Easy to use in the washing machine or by hand, non flammable and PFC free.

Why down items lose their insulating properties when they get wet...

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.

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 applying Durable Water Repellency (DWR). The outer fabric of your down filled item, as well as the down inside, must be maintained to ensure comfort. Through use it will eventually wear off and need to be renewed with Nikwax Down Proof™.

Down is ideal for very cold and dry conditions...

Down has exceptional insulating properties, trapping air between its filaments to keep you warm. No other product offers so much insulation for so little weight and bulk. It’s ideal for sleeping bags, jackets, gilets and down clothing in general.

Water, whether it is rain or condensation from sweat, compromises the insulating properties of down. If down gets wet it loses all of its insulating capacity and also causes weight gain. This reduces the comfort of the user, causing them to feel cold and wet.

Treating your down with Nikwax Down Proof™ adds Durable Water Repellency (DWR) to both the outer fabric and the down fill. This prevents water absorption whilst maintaining insulation and breathability, keeping you warm, dry and comfortable.

Use Nikwax Down Proof™ when your down items soak up water...

Your down gear could be soaking up water just because it is dirty. First, try cleaning it with Nikwax Down Wash Direct, and if it is fairly new, or recently re-waterproofed, the Durable Water Repellency (DWR) will be revitalized just from cleaning. But, 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.

Down items need Nikwax Down Proof™ to maintain insulation...

Alternative waterproofing products are often solvent-based aerosols; alternatively, they may be water-based and use PFCs. Aerosol products are flammable. PFCs pose a potential risk to the environment and to the long-term health of the consumer.

Additionally, alternative waterproofing products that are not designed specifically for the treatment of down items may compromise the loft properties of down. Often these are just surface treatments which will only treat the fabric and not the down fill.

Nikwax Down Proof™ has been specifically designed and optimized for down items, providing Durable Water Repellency (DWR) to both the outer fabric and the down fill, while maintaining insulation and breathability.

How Nikwax Down Proof™ protects...

Nikwax Down Proof™ has been specifically designed and optimized for down filled gear. It adds Durable Water Repellency (DWR), which protects against rain and condensation, improving the natural insulating properties of down.

Nikwax Down Proof™ prolongs the effective life of your down gear. It leaves a flexible water repellent treatment on individual down filaments and fabric fibers allowing moisture vapor to pass through, maintaining breathability and optimizing performance in cold and damp conditions.

washing machineUse Nikwax Down Proof™ in a washing machine...

For best results remove all non-washable parts and clean item(s) first with Nikwax Down Wash Direct®. Always use Down Wash Direct® and Down Proof™ in separate wash cycles. No need to dry item(s) before waterproofing. Shake well before use. Follow care label instructions. Use a front loading washing machine only:

  1. Remove all detergent build-up from the detergent dispenser
  2. Place clean item in washing machine
  3. Set cycle according to care label, preferably on low setting and slow spin

For clothing:

  • Use 5fl (150ml) per item (maximum 1 item)

For sleeping bags:

  1. Use an industrial size machine only. (Available at a laundromat.) Or hand wash.
  2. Use 5fl oz/150ml for 1 season bags (1lb 12oz - 2lb 8oz);
  3. 15fl oz/450ml for 2-3 season bags (2lb 8oz - 4lb 8oz)
  4. 20fl oz/600ml for 4 season bags (4lb 8oz - 5lb 8oz)
By handNikwax Down Proof™ can also be applied by hand...

For best results always clean item(s) first with Nikwax Down Wash Direct®. No need to dry item(s) before waterproofing. Shake well before use. Follow care label instructions.

Wear gloves.

  1. Immerse clean item(s) in hand-hot water.
  2. For clothing: Use 5fl oz(150ml) for 1 item in a bowl or 10fl oz (300ml) for 2 items in a bath. Fully submerge item(s) in water.
  3. For sleeping bags*: Use 10fl oz (300ml) in 1.5 inches (4cm) deep water in a bath.
  4. Agitate to mix, leave to soak for 5-10 minutes, then agitate thoroughly.
  5. Rinse clothing in cold water until water runs clear. For sleeping bags repeat rinsing process, drain and gently press bag to expel water.
  6. To remove excess water transfer item(s) to a washing machine and spin dry 3 times (slow spin).

If care label allows, tumble dry according to manufacturer's instructions on a low setting until 'clumps' have disappeared. Teasing apart clumps repeatedly during drying process will help restore loft to the down.

To maintain waterproofing always wash with Nikwax Down Wash Direct®. Do not use detergents.

Make sure to thoroughly dry your down filled gear…

To get the maximum amount of water out of your down it’s best to spin dry multiple times, each time incrementally increasing the speed of the spin cycle. Wet down is heavy, so if items are spun too quickly while still holding a large amount of water it is possible that internal baffles may be broken.

Nikwax Down Proof™ treated items need no heat to develop water repellency. However, tumble drying is recommended (if care label allows) to ensure that the down is dried thoroughly and as quickly as possible. Leaving down wet or damp can ruin it completely. Tumble dry according to manufacturer’s instructions on a low setting until clumps have disappeared. Ensure that there is sufficient room in the tumble drier to house the item once dry, as items will return to their original size during the drying process.

Teasing apart clumps repeatedly during drying process will help restore loft to the down.

After tumble drying it is recommended to air item(s) for at least a day in a warm and dry space, prior to packing away.

Down Wash.Direct

Speciality cleaner designed to revitalize the water repellency and insulating properties of hydrophobic and regular down filled gear. Easy to use in your washing machine, non flammable and PFC free.

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