Here at Alton, we’ve earned a reputation as an outdoor store that makes hard-wearing outdoor gear.
But as durable as our gear is built to be, it’s not indestructible. Without regular care and cleaning, even the toughest outdoor gear will give out eventually.
And unfortunately, failing to clean and maintain hiking gear is a common mistake, and a costly one.
Dirt, oils, and other contaminants don’t just sit on the surface of your gear; they can actively cause the materials to break down, clog breathable-waterproof membranes, and degrade DWR treatments over time.
The good news is that keeping your outdoor kit clean and in good condition is fairly easy – if you have the right outdoor cleaning products.
That's where Nikwax comes in.
Since 1977, Nikwax has been making some of the best outdoor cleaning products, proofing treatments, and waterproofing solutions on the market.
Their range of aftercare products are carefully formulated to be safe for use with technical apparel and outdoor equipment, and with regular use, they can significantly extend the life and performance of your gear.
But what really sets Nikwax apart is their focus on creating effective products that are environmentally safe and user friendly.
All products in their line up are 100% PFAS-free, water-based, and conform to strict clean chemistry standards and sustainability benchmarks. In fact, they’re the only technical gear and apparel aftercare company to have never used PFAS or aerosols in their products.
However, with a range that covers everything from UV-protective sprays to down cleaners and DWR reproofing treatments, knowing which product to reach for can be confusing.
For exactly that reason, in this blog we’ll give you a clear breakdown of the five best-selling Nikwax products, explaining exactly what each one does, why you need it, and how it works.
Ready? Let’s do this.
Nikwax Down Wash®
Use for:
Cleaning down gear and apparel.
Best for:
- Down jackets and vests
- Down sleeping bags
- Synthetic down blends
What it is:
Nikwax Down Wash is a powerful cleaner formulated specifically for down sleeping bags, jackets, and other outdoor gear or apparel filled with natural down or down/synthetic blends.
Why you need it:
With frequent use, it’s normal for sleeping bags and other down gear to begin to lose some loft. This is usually due to the build up of oils, dirt or moisture, which all cause the down filaments to become less ‘fluffy’, and therefore unable to retain as much heat. In severe cases, dirty down will actually clump together, causing cold spots and reducing the warmth overall.
How it works:
Nikwax Down Wash removes the grime, oils and any dirty residues on the down, restoring loft so that each filament can trap air again. It also revives any DWR coatings used on the outer shell fabric and the down itself, improving the water-repellent properties and breathability.
Unlike conventional laundry detergents that leave behind a hydrophilic (water-attracting) residue, Nikwax Down Wash is formulated to clean without depositing any water-attracting residue, meaning the down filaments stay free to trap air.
Good to know:
Down takes a long time to dry. We recommend tumble drying your down products on a low heat setting with a couple of tennis balls to help break up any clumps. Every hour or so, check your bag and give it a shake to help break up any damp patches. After tumble drying, leave it to air dry on a drying rack laying flat for another 8-12 hours, then store in a cotton down storage sack.
Nikwax Tech Wash®
Use for:
Cleaning gear or apparel made from technical fabrics like Nanopore™, Gore-Tex, eVent, or similar membranes.
Best for:
- Waterproof jackets
- Hardshells
- Softshells
- Waterproof trousers
What it does:
Nikwax Tech Wash is one of the best cleaners for technical outdoor gear – think waterproof jackets, softshells or other items made from high-performance fabrics like Nanopore™, Gore-Tex, eVent, or similar membranes.
Nikwax Tech Wash is free from the additives found in ordinary washing powders and liquids, so it cleans effectively while keeping the fabric's technical properties intact. It also helps restore some of the DWR performance that may have diminished through use.
Good to know:
For optimal performance, we suggest washing technical garments with Nikwax Tech Wash every 10–12 wears — or about once a year if used less regularly. Frequent washing actually helps rather than harms; allowing dirt, sweat, and body oils to build up can cause the DWR coating to lose effectiveness and reduce breathability over time.
Nikwax TX.Direct® Spray-On
Use for:
Re-proofing technical fabrics like Nanopore™, Gore-Tex, eVent, or similar membranes.
Best for:
- Waterproof jackets
- Hardshells
- Softshells
- Waterproof trousers
- Waterproof hiking boots or shoes
What it is:
Nikwax TX.Direct is a treatment applied after cleaning to restore water repellency to garments that have lost their DWR coating. If you notice your waterproof jacket is starting to "wet out" (absorbing water rather than shedding it in beads), Nikwax TX.Direct is what you need.
Why you need it:
Most waterproof jackets and gear have a DWR coating applied to the outer fabric that enhances the water-repellent effect of the item by causing water to ‘bead’ and roll off the surface.
But this coating wears off with use, washing, and exposure to the elements. You can tell that this is happening when your jacket or waterproof item begins to ‘wet out’, becoming saturated with water.
What you might not know is that when a fabric wets out, it significantly reduces breathability, so you end up feeling clammy and damp from condensation.
Because of this, a lot of people mistakenly think their jacket is no longer blocking rain or water from the outside, when in fact, it’s just not allowing the moisture inside to evaporate.
How it works:
Nikwax TX.Direct works by bonding a new DWR layer to the surface fibers of the fabric, restoring breathability so the membrane can effectively shed moisture – from inside and out.
The spray-on format is easy to apply and works well in situations where you want targeted coverage, such as softshell jackets with a fleece lining or waterproof hiking boots where you don’t need to treat the entire item.
Good to know:
As a rule of thumb, re-proof your waterproof jacket with Nikwax TX.Direct every two to three washes, or whenever you notice water no longer beading on the surface. The DWR can wear away faster if you use your jacket frequently in heavy rain or with a heavy pack, so high-use items will benefit from re-proofing with Nikwax TX.Direct more regularly than gear that only comes out occasionally.
Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarWash®
Use for:
Cleaning and maintaining outdoor gear that’s at risk of UV-damage.
Best for:
- Tents, tarps & other shelters
- Packs
- Hammocks
- Awnings or sun shades
- Outdoor furniture
What it is:
Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarWash is a multi-action formula for synthetic outdoor equipment
that cleans, revives water repellency (DWR), and adds UV-protection.
Why you need it:
Over time, exposure to UV light degrades fabrics, significantly shortening the lifespan of equipment.
The severity of UV damage is pretty shocking: tests have found that synthetic fabrics used for tents and backpacks can lose up to half of their strength in just two weeks of continuous UV exposure.
Unfortunately, in most cases UV-damage won’t become obvious until it's too late. That’s why we highly recommend using Nikwax SolarWash on any outdoor gear that is frequently exposed to sunlight.
How it works:
Nikwax SolarWash has a special multi-action formula that cleans, protects against UV damage, and replenishes DWR waterproof coatings.
As it cleans, Nikwax SolarWash deposits UV-absorbing agents onto the fabric fibres. These act similarly to a sunscreen for the fabric, absorbing and dissipating UV radiation before it can break down the material. This helps slow the process of UV-damage, extending the working life of your gear.
Good to know:
To get the best results, use Nikwax SolarWash and Nikwax SolarProof together. Start by applying Nikwax SolarWash to a clean, damp surface. Then, while the fabric is still damp, follow up with Nikwax SolarProof to restore water repellency and lock in additional UV shielding. Using them together in a single session gives your tent or gear a thorough clean and a full protective treatment in one go, and is ideal at the start and end of the camping season.
Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof® Spray-On
Use for:
Increasing UV-resistance and water-repellency of outdoor gear.
Best for:
- Tents, tarps & other shelters
- Packs
- Hammocks
- Awnings or sun shades
- Outdoor furniture
What it is:
Nikwax SolarProof is the proofing companion to Nikwax SolarWash. Where SolarWash cleans and adds UV protection, SolarProof is applied to re-proof and protect. It restores water repellency to tent fabrics, packs, and other gear that has become saturated or is no longer shedding rain effectively, while simultaneously adding UV-blocking agents to shield the material from sun degradation.
Why you need it:
While Nikwax SolarWash cleans and provides an initial layer of UV protection, SolarProof will further enhance the effectiveness of DWR coatings and UV protection. For this reason, Nikwax SolarProof is ideal for use on items that have seen extensive use and may already be showing the signs of UV damage or impaired water-repellency.
How it works:
Nikwax SolarProof adds UV protection to inhibit the reduction of fabric tear strength caused by UV rays, depositing UV-absorbing agents onto the fibres that act as a shield, dissipating solar radiation before it can break down the polymer chains in the nylon or polyester.
At the same time, Nikwax SolarProof adds a PFAS-free DWR coating to keep your equipment dry, helping protect against moisture damage (hydrolysis), which is another big contributor to the rapid breakdown of outdoor equipment left outside for long periods of time.
The two actions together are what make SolarProof so effective at extending gear life. When used together with SolarWash, Nikwax SolarProof can significantly extend the lifespan of outdoor equipment.
Good to know:
If you buy a new item that is going to be exposed to the sun frequently, we recommend applying SolarProof before its first use. Pre-treating fabric before it has been exposed to UV, dirt, or wear means the protective coating bonds more effectively, giving you a stronger baseline of water repellency and UV resistance from day one.
Which Nikwax product is right for your needs?
For most of us, outdoor gear represents a serious investment. And like any investment, it pays to look after it.
Regular outdoor gear care doesn't just keep your equipment looking good. It actively extends its lifespan, maintains its performance, and ensures it won't let you down when the weather turns.
Neglect your gear and you'll find yourself replacing expensive kit far sooner than you should. Treat it right, and it will keep performing season after season.
As a part of that commitment to care for your gear, Nikwax’s outdoor gear cleaning products and treatments are a must. Not only are they considered the best outdoor cleaning products on the market by many, they are water-based, environmentally safe, and free from harmful chemistry, including PFAS ‘forever chemicals’.
At this stage, you should have a good idea of what Nikwax cleaner or treatment you need for just about everything in your outdoor kit, whether it's restoring the DWR on a waterproof jacket with TX.Direct®, deep-cleaning your tent with Tech Wash, protecting your trusty tarp from UV damage with SolarWash and SolarProof®, or keeping your down kit performing at its best with Down Wash. Now all that’s left is to get cracking – or should we say cleaning?
If there are other Nikwax or gear cleaning products you’d like us to stock, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at support@altongoods.com to make a recommendation.
