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Reviews > Do It Yourself > Nikwax Down Wash > Test Report by Duane LawrenceNIKWAX DOWN WASH
Tester InformationTest Series by Duane Lawrence Initial Review March 29, 2015 Long Term Report July 1, 2015
I have been an avid outdoor enthusiast for the past 25 years. I enjoy a variety of outdoor activities including mountaineering, day hikes, multi-day backpacking trips, river and ocean kayaking, backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, mountain biking and rock climbing. I have climbed and hiked throughout British Columbia, the United States and when opportunity presents itself in Europe and India. I carry a wide variety of gear depending on the type and length of trip. I am a Search and Rescue team member in the Southern Rockies and am part of the swift water, rope rescue technical teams and ground search team. Product Information
First Impressions and Testing I had a look through my pile of down and realized just how badly they needed cleaning, so am looking forward to rectifying the problem. The Nikwax down wash typically comes in a 300 ml (10 fl oz) bottle which has a complete outline of how to use the product. For this test I will be using smaller sample sizes 150 ml (5 fl oz). With the smaller bottles the instructions were not provided. Fortunately, I also have a regular 300 ml (10 fl oz) bottle which has the full instructions for use on it. There are full instructions on the web site as well. Listed are three methods of usage including front loading washer, hand washing and spot treatment. I will be testing the product both by hand and using a front loading washer and standard dryer. On first glance at my pile of down it might also be worth doing some spot treatments. After completing the wash and dry cycle I will be looking closely at how my down stands up. Does it still retain the same amount of loft as it had before, did the down wash clean the fabric well and although I am not planning on taking a long walk in the rain I am curious to note if my jackets improve their water repellency as noted on the label. The product itself has a slight yellowy colour and smells like, well, a very mild soap with a light chemical odor, nothing overpowering though. The Instructions Since I already had a standard retail bottle I thought I would use the instructions listed on it rather than those on the web. I should note that the web instructions are in more detail and much easier to read than those on the bottle. The instructions are, although close to microscopic, clearly laid out on the label. Included is a guide for the amount of product to use for volume of down, number of garments and types of sleeping bags. The label notes that you can use the down wash straight out of the bottle for tough stains, hand washing or machine washing. It also notes that when using a machine it must be front-loading, top-loading machines are not to be used. For drying, a tumble dryer on low is recommended. The label includes a number of warnings including ensuring washing machines are free of soap residue as conventional detergent can damage down and that commercial front-loading machines should only be used. The product label also notes that the product should not be frozen, consumed or exposed to eyes. Web Site The web page has a variety of detailed information on the product and how to use it effectively. Included is information on why down items lose their insulating properties, how Nikwax Down Wash maintains down items, instructions for using the product in a washing machine and when to use the product. The web page also has a quiz that visitors can take and if you answer all the questions correctly you can win a bottle of down wash. I haven't taken the test yet so can not say what it is like. Summary Winter is almost done, so this test is coming at a perfect time for me. I have a number of down products from light sleeping bags, down sweaters and vest as well as a couple of three and four season bags and an 800-fill down coat. Although I will not be able wash all my down I will at the least have an opportunity to wash a good portion of my garments. Overall I am optimistic about the Nikwax Down Wash having read through the web page and going through all the information about the product and the detailed, clear instructions for ensuring my down returns to its original state. Or, at the least a much cleaner one with a renewed level of insulative value. Reading thought the instructions sadly meant I had a fun day
at the laundromat as I don't have a front loading washer. Wash
day just got even more fun than I had anticipated! Regardless, finding enough
quarters and loonies (Canadian dollar coins) was harder than following the
instructions. A not-so-quick pre-washing machine rinse, never have paid
to wash a washing machine before, but the time needed to clean the
machine in order to make sure it had no residual detergents that could
affect my down later on was worth the time. Once the washing machine was
clean the next hard part was stuffing my -26 c (-15 f) down bag into a little machine.
Using the recommended 5 fl oz (148 ml) of down wash and, Oh the excitement of
watching a washing machine... Meanwhile I loaded a second machine with a
couple of down jackets and a vest, keeping one out for a thrilling evening of
handwashing. Without a measuring cup, which I never thought to bring with
me, made measuring out the recommended 3 fl oz (89 ml) of down wash more of a guesstimatet
than anything else. At the end of the day either I got it right or the
little bit more or less detergent does not affect the effectiveness of the
product. Before
(HAND
WASHED)
After Before (MACHINE WASHED) After Lint Screen (Down Loss After Drying) Webpage I mentioned in my initial report that I would further explore the web site and try out the web quiz. The site provided excellent information on the products including the Nikwax downwash and all the other products Nikwax produces. I was quite pleased with the level and quality of information and was able to easily navigate the site looking for the page on the Downwash and more detailed instructions. I did try out the quiz and surprisingly did remarkably well, 10 out of 11! And no studying beforehand. The questions included a very wide range of subject matter from the care of horse blankets to specific manufacturer's jackets and Nikwax products. If I spent more time online it would be a great source of information regarding the care and maintenance of all my outdoor gear. Summary Read more reviews of Nikwax gear Read more gear reviews by Duane Lawrence Reviews > Do It Yourself > Nikwax Down Wash > Test Report by Duane Lawrence |