Nikwax Down Wash

Rated: 4 by 20 reviews.

Berg's Ski Shop

Nikwax Down Wash preserves the water-repellency of outer fabrics as well as the down and helps the down and feathers regain their bounce and loft.
Nikwax®  Down Wash keeps one of nature's wonder materials clean. Down is light, resilient, and an excellent insulator. It can be hard to correctly clean down because it is vulnerable to damage from harsh detergents. Nikwax®  Down Wash is a mild detergent-free cleaner specifically designed to clean down without stripping it of it's natural loft and insulation qualities. Use on down-filled sleeping bags, duvets, comforters and your favorite down clothing.
Features:
  • 10 fl. oz (300 ml)
  • Suitable for: Gortex® , Ultrex® , Entrant® , eVENT®  and Triple Point® 
Instructions:Shake well before use. Machine wash using front-loading machine. (Top loading machines have agitators in them, which can ruin sleeping bags and comforters by ripping and/or tearing seams.) 1-3 garments - low water level - 2.5-3 oz.. Add Down Wash directly into the drum. It is not recommended to use dispensers due to detergent build-up and/or residue, which could adversely affect the down garment, stripping precious natural oils that promote loftness. Run machine'­s full cycle and two additional spin dry cycles. If hand washing, immerse garment in water (4 gal/18 liters max per garment). Add 2 full capfuls per garment and agitate thoroughly for 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly by hand until water is clear. Tumble dry on heat setting recommended on garment'­s care tag. Add a couple of clean tennis balls in with the garment and dry until all clumps disappear. Air for 24 hours before packing.

Massey's Outfitters

Safely revitalises breathability and water-repellency# It prolongs the life of gear and optimises outdoor performance. Revitalises loft and insulation, without damaging the structure of the down , It maintains breathability, It maintains original water-repellency, It’s easy to apply - can be used in a washing machine, Suitable for use on all fabrics, including technical textiles, It lifts out dirt that can attract water and mask water repellent finishes, Unlike detergents, it does not leave behind water attractive residues which encourage ‘wetting-out’, It will remove detergent residues left behind by previous washes, Water Based - environmentally friendly, biodegradable, non flammable, non hazardous, Does not contain fluorocarbons, Guaranteed performance for 4 years from manufactureAll feather-filled / down clothing and equipmentAll feather-filled / down clothing and equipment. Always apply this product to used down clothing to keep items in perfect condition. We advise cleaning items with Nikwax Down Wash before proofing them with Nikwax Down Proof. You should be able to wash reproofed garments 6 to 8 times with Nikwax Down Wash before it requires reproofing with Nikwax Down Proof.

Marmot Mountain

The Down Wash preserves the water-repellency of outer fabrics as well as the down and helps the down and feathers regain their “bounce” and loft. This non-detergent and bio-degradable wash effectively cleans heavily soiled down-filled equipment. Effectively cleans heavily soiled down-filled equipment and restores the loft and natural water-repellency of down garments, sleeping bags and comforters. The wash Can be applied directly to remove grease spots or stains. Available in 10 oz or 33.8 oz sizes.

Moosejaw (Fall 2009)

The Down Wash by Nikwax is one of nature’s wonder materials. It’s light, resilient, and an excellent insulator. Down is vulnerable to damage from harsh detergents. Nikwax Down Wash is a mild detergent-free cleaner specifically designed to clean down without stripping it of it’s natural loft and insulation qualities. Use on downfilled sleeping bags, duvets, comforters and clothing.

SummitHut.com

Restores the loft and natural water-repellency of down garments, sleeping bags and comforters. Effectively cleans heavily soiled down-filled equipment. Non-detergent and bio-degradable. Preserves the water-repellency of outer fabrics as well as the down and helps the down and feathers regain their "bounce" and loft. Can be applied directly to remove grease spots or stains.

Features:

  • Easy to apply - can be used in a washing machine
  • Lifts out dirt that can attract water and mask water repellent finishes
  • Maintains breathability and original water-repellency
  • Prolongs the life of gear and optimises outdoor performance
  • Revitalises loft and insulation, without damaging the structure of the down
  • Suitable for use on all fabrics, including technical textiles
  • Unlike detergents, it does not leave behind water attractive residues which encourage ‘wetting-out’
  • Will remove detergent residues left behind by previous washes

This description was also provided by: Appalachain Outdoors, Mountain Gear


Backcountry.com

Bring your down sleeping back to life with the Nikwax Down Wash. This non-detergent and bio-degradable treatment restores the loft and natural water-repellency of your down jacket, sleeping bag, or comforter. Use the Down Wash with your garment's manufacturer instructions to effectively clean and restore your down's bounce and heat-efficiency.


Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS)

Very effective liquid cleanser for down garments and sleeping bags.

Features:

  • Nondetergent formula is biodegradableQ0 fluid ounces
  • Recommended for use in large-capacity, front-loading commercial washers
  • Restores the loft and natural water repellency of down insulation

Campmor

Wash-In WaterBase Waterproofing

Nikwax is a truly effective waterproofing and cleaning system for all your outdoor clothing. Designed for maximum performance. Environmentally sound.

Down Proof adds water-repellency to down-filled sleeping bags and clothing. 10 fl. oz.


Paragon Sports

Wash in cleaner for down filled gear-.

Features:

  • Safely revitalises breathability and water-repellency
Similar Products:
Nikwax DownProofNikwax DownProof$9.99 - $11.99
Complementary Products:
Nikwax Down Wash 2.0 - 10 oz.Nikwax Down Wash 2.0 - 10 oz.Unspecified$9.30
Nikwax Down Wash 300 mlNikwax Down Wash 300 ml - Men's$6.79 - $8.75

These are products that have been indicated being comparable to this product:

Nikwax DownProofNikwax DownProof
Hiking & Camping > Water Proofing
$9.99 - $11.99

Nikwax Down Wash Reviews Summary:

RatingNumber
of Reviews
513
45
31
21
10

Positive Reviews:

Nikwax Down Wash

Rating:*****

The Nikwax Down Wash works great on down gear as well as down blankets & comforters. I get about 3-4 washes out of the bottle for a comforter (& I did throw in a down sweater with one of those loads)-just be sure to do a double rinse cycle to make sure all of the soap gets out. I have 2 laundered tennis balls that I use in the dryer to re-fluff the down. Just remember the higher quality of down you start out with (800 fill vs. 650 fill) the longer it will last & the easier it is to re-fluff.

amy3dog at Backcountry.com on 09/02/2008

Impressive Product

Rating:*****

I was reluctant about washing my down items @ home until I tried Nikwax Down Wash. Most recently I washed my elderly Sierra Designs "Good Goose" down jacket which was in dire need of cleaning. It not only made it look new again by cleaning the shell & revitalizing the loft, but brought back that "Michelin Man" appearance.

Make sure to wash your down items in a front loading washer on the most gentle cycle & totally support the wet items when moving them to the dryer. This will prevent the baffles from tearing since wet down is very heavy.

Jeff Gerhard at Backcountry.com on 10/15/2009

I'm scared not to...

Rating:*****

When the down jackets and sleeping bags go for the prices they do these days, I'm a little wary of using some homemade concoction on my gear. Likewise, I was a little worried to use this stuff. I was very pleased with the results though. After washing my bag in the Nikwax Down Wash and drying it, I was very happy to see the original loft restored. It looked brand new. I'd definitely recommend this stuff if you want to take care of your down gear.

ben wheeler at Backcountry.com on 12/18/2006

Works well

Rating:****

This stuff totally keeps my down looking nice. However, my light colored coat gets really dirty and requires much scrubbing before hand or it doesn't come all the way clean. You can scrub your really dirty stuff first with this cleaner, and then wash it. Once I did that, my coat was beautiful again. I've never been able to keep my down looking nice, so I quit buying it. Now, I can continue to buy down gear and keep it looking super good!

Spacey at Backcountry.com on 01/09/2008

cannot be defeated by turkey juice!

Rating:*****
It washed a few ounces worth of turkey guts and drippings dumped onto my coat when a pan was sent flying in my direction....presumably to test any future down wash I'd apply to it. Needless to say, it got the smell and the grease out just the same and I no longer smell like Thanksgiving dinner. At least my coat doesn't. Good stuff and no loss of loft!
Victor at Moosejaw (Fall 2009) on 12/27/2007

martha would approve

Rating:*****
Everyone knows that goose down keeps you warm because it insulates you from the cold air. Washing your jacket or bag with regular detergent will clump up the feathers, rendering them useless (and ugly). Wash with this stuff and dry with tennis balls, or you could just buy new gear whenever you get dirty!
Ross at Moosejaw (Fall 2009) on 10/08/2006

Do not use Wool Lite on your down use this!

Rating:*****

I heard that you could use a light detergent to wash your down bags or coats and do not do it. Totally deflated it. So heed my warning, use this instead. Keeps up the loft and the life of the down product. Use a front loading washer/dryer though if possible

Garrett Grove at Backcountry.com on 12/19/2006

Even got MY bag clean!

Rating:*****

Ok... so i now realize I'm pretty dirty. FINALLY washed my Down sleeping bag after a few to many nights (years) it's now twice as lofty as it was before and the water was nasty afterwards... this stuff really did a great job cleaning my filthy sleeping bag.

Rick Agostin at Backcountry.com on 01/04/2010

You know your sleeping bag stinks.... do something about it.

Rating:*****
I hadn't washed my sleeping bag in 2 years... it smelled like a used burial shroud. My girlfriend wanted me to throw it away, but I ordered some down wash from Moosejaw instead. Now it smells clean again (mostly) and the girl is happy. Yay Nikwax!
Shad at Moosejaw (Fall 2009) on 06/18/2009

a must for down products

Rating:****

what can i say? it cleans and doesn't damage. just what you want for an expensive sleeping bag or down jacket. brought back the freshness to my 10 year old sleeping bag which had gotten skankier than i had realized.

Gabe H. at Backcountry.com on 07/20/2009
Show all positive reviews...

Negative Reviews:

YELLOW SPOTS

Rating:**

I recently used this on my white north face down jacket. It left yellow spots all over it. I think it would work great in a front load washer but make sure you get all of the soap out before you dry or it will leave spots. I will be taking my jacket to the dry cleaners to see what they can do. I say just spent the extra 20 bucks and have your stuff cleaned.

Anonymous at Backcountry.com on 12/20/2007

Neutral Reviews:

O.K.

Rating:***
Cleaned coat, but didn't get it really clean. Brand new coat, white. Dumb move for me to purchase white! Cuffs didn't come clean even with pre-treating.
Kathy at Moosejaw (Fall 2009) on 01/21/2007