DOWN PROOF

Easy to use, safe, high performance wash in waterproofing for down filled clothing and gear.

WHY DOWN LOSES ITS INSULATING PROPERTIES WHEN DIRTY

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.

Through use, dirt and body oils build up on down items. This affects both the fabric and the down fill. Dirt attracts water; if the fabric absorbs water, rain and condensation can easily transfer into the down. 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 maintaining Durable Water Repellency (DWR). The outer fabric of your down filled item, as well as the down inside, must be maintained to ensure comfort. Nikwax Down Wash Direct will revitalise the insulation and restore DWR.

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.

USE WHEN YOUR DOWN PRODUCTS START TO ABSORB WATER

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, but more importantly the reduction in insulation is dangerous and in severe cases can lead to hypothermia. When wet, down loses all of its insulating properties, as water conducts heat away from the body up to 25 times faster than air.

Nikwax Down Wash Direct revitalises insulation and restores the Durable Water Repellency (DWR) of both the outer fabric and down fill. This prevents water absorption and maintains breathability, keeping you warm, dry and comfortable.

Your down items 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 and down 'wetting out' in wet or damp conditions.

If your down items are relatively new, or have been recently treated with Nikwax Down Proof™, then cleaning with Nikwax Down Wash Direct® will not only remove contaminants, such as dirt and residues left behind by household detergents, but also revitalise insulation and restore DWR.

However, 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.

How Nikwax Down Proof protects

Nikwax Down Proof™ has been specifically designed and optimised 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 fibres allowing moisture vapour to pass through, maintaining breathability and optimising performance in cold and damp conditions.

Nikwax Down Proof™ is a safe, easy to use product for down filled gear. It is quick to apply in a washing machine and ensures that the treatment goes right through the item, treating both the outer fabric and the down fill. The DWR of Nikwax Down Proof™ develops on air drying. However, tumble drying is recommended to ensure that the down is dried thoroughly and as quickly as possible. Leaving down wet or damp can ruin it completely.

USE IN A WASHING MACHINE

For best results remove all non-washable parts and clean item(s) first with Nikwax Down Wash™ in a separate wash cycle. No need to dry item(s) before waterproofing. Shake well before use. Follow care label instructions (large items can be treated by hand).

• Remove all detergent build up from the detergent dispenser.
• Place clean item in washing machine (maximum 1 item).
• Use 150ml for 1 item.
• Run 30°C synthetic cycle and slow spin.
• After the cycle has finished run multiple spin cycles, each time incrementally increasing the spin speed, to remove excess water.

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

*3-4 season down sleeping bags should be professionally treated.

MAKE SURE TO THOROUGHLY DRY YOUR DOWN PRODUCT

If you intend to re-waterproof the washed item there is no need to dry it first.

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.

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.

We offer a 30-day return policy.  

If you are not satisfied with your purchase for any reason, you can return it to us within 30 days. We will issue you a full refund for the price you paid for the item (s) or exchange for another size (whichever you’d prefer). Postage will not be refunded unless the item is faulty or incorrect. You can also return your item to the shop directly in Bandon.

We accept returns only if:

• All tags are still on the item
• The item has not been used or worn or washed (who’d wash an unused item?)
• The item is complete (for example if returning shoes send the pair…)
• Packaging is intact and not damaged (try not to sit on it)

We suggest, if posting the item to us you retain proof of purchase in case it goes missing in the post! 

Our Address:

Web Order Returns, Wild Side Sports, Unit 8 Bandon Retail Park, By-Pass Road, Bandon, Co. Cork, P72 KN32, Ireland (don’t forget to include your receipts!!!)