Specialty cleaner and waterproofer designed to revitalise water repellency while protecting the insulating properties of down-filled gear in wet and damp conditions. Easy to use in the washing machine or by hand, non-flammable and PFAS free.

Down Wash:

• Technical cleaner for both hydrophobic and regular down clothing and sleeping bags
• Cleans effectively, revitalises insulation and restores the water repellency of hydrophobic down
• Revives 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

Down Proof:

• 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.

Suitable for:

• Down Jackets
• Sleeping Bags

•  

  Why Down Loses Its Warmth When Dirty or Wet

  Down is valued for being lightweight, compressible and incredibly warm. Its insulating power comes from the loft created when fine filaments trap air, which your body heat then warms.

  However, down has two major weaknesses:

  • Dirt and oils: Through use, dirt and body oils build up on the fabric and fill. Dirt attracts water, causing the outer fabric to wet out and moisture to seep inside.
  • Water absorption: When down gets wet, it clumps together and loses loft. Without loft, it cannot trap air and loses all insulating ability. Wet down also gains weight, breathes poorly, and conducts heat up to 25 times faster than air — leaving you cold, damp, and in extreme cases, at risk of hypothermia.

  Why Maintenance Matters

  Down performs best in very cold, dry conditions. But in the real world — rain, condensation and sweat are constant threats. To keep your gear performing, both the outer fabric and the down fill need Durable Water Repellency (DWR). Without it, breathability drops, moisture gets in, and insulation collapses.

  That’s where Nikwax Down Wash Direct® and Nikwax Down Proof™ work together.

  Step 1 – Clean With Nikwax Down Wash Direct®

  Conventional laundry detergents leave behind residues that attract water, causing both fabric and down to soak up moisture and lose loft. Worse, some cleaners can redeposit dirt back into the down.

  Nikwax Down Wash Direct® is a specialist cleaner designed for down-filled gear. It:

  • Removes dirt, sweat and oils from both fabric and fill.
  • Revitalises insulation and breathability.
  • Restores the existing DWR on outer fabrics and down.
  • Is water-based, residue-free, PFAS-free and safe for your gear.

  On newer or recently treated items, cleaning alone may be enough to restore performance.

  Step 2 – Reproof With Nikwax Down Proof™

  For well-used down jackets, gilets and sleeping bags, cleaning alone isn’t enough. That’s when it’s time to reapply DWR with Nikwax Down Proof™.

  This specialist treatment:

  • Adds Durable Water Repellency to both the outer fabric and the down fill.
  • Leaves a flexible coating on individual filaments, maintaining loft and breathability.
  • Protects against rain and condensation, keeping insulation effective in damp conditions.
  • Is water-based, non-flammable, and PFAS-free — safer for you and the environment.
    

  How to Care for Your Down Gear

  • Washing: Use a gentle cycle with a slow spin. Wet down is heavy, so spin multiple times, increasing the speed gradually to avoid damaging internal baffles.
  • Rinsing: Ensure items are rinsed thoroughly to remove all soap.
  • Drying: Tumble dry if the care label allows, using low heat. Tease clumps apart between cycles to restore loft. Leaving down damp can permanently ruin it. For best results, air items in a warm, dry place for at least 24 hours after tumble drying.

  Why Use Nikwax?

  Unlike solvent-based aerosols or cleaners with PFAS, which may harm the environment and damage loft, Nikwax Down Wash Direct® and Down Proof™ are water-based, safe, and specifically formulated for down insulation. They prolong the life of your gear while keeping you warm, dry and comfortable.

• What's included

  Step 1 – Clean With Down Wash Direct®

  Important: Use undiluted Down Wash Direct® to treat stubborn stains before washing. Remove all non-washable parts. Shake well before use. Follow care label instructions. Do not use conventional detergents.

  Machine Wash – Clothing

  • Remove any detergent build-up from the detergent dispenser.
  • Place a maximum of 1 garment in the washing machine.
  • Add 100ml of Down Wash Direct®.
  • Run a 30°C synthetic cycle on a slow spin, with an extra rinse if possible.

  Machine Wash – Sleeping Bags (8kg+ machine)

  • Remove any detergent build-up from the detergent dispenser.
  • Place a maximum of 1 item in the washing machine.
  • Add 100ml for 8–11kg machines, 250ml for 12kg machines, 500ml for 25kg+ machines.
  • Run a 30°C synthetic cycle on a slow spin, with an extra rinse if possible.

  *Sleeping bags and very large jackets are best hand washed in a bathtub or equivalent, or washed in a large professional machine at a laundromat.

  Hand Wash

  Important: Use gloves. Hand wash large jackets and sleeping bags in a bath where possible, then spin dry in a washing machine.

  • Add 100ml to 12–15L of warm water for a maximum of 1 item.
  • Immerse and agitate to ensure complete wetting.
  • Leave to soak for 5 minutes, then agitate thoroughly.
  • Rinse thoroughly until water runs clear.
  • Spin dry in a washing machine 3 times on a slow spin to remove excess water.

  Step 2 – Reproof With Down Proof™

  Important: Always wash first with Down Wash Direct®. Wash and proof in separate cycles. No need to dry items before waterproofing. Shake well before use. Follow care label instructions.

  Machine Wash

  • Remove any detergent build-up from the detergent dispenser.
  • Place a maximum of 1 clean item in the washing machine.
  • Select a 30°C synthetic cycle on a slow spin, with an extra rinse if possible.

  Dosage

  • Clothing: Add 150ml of Down Proof™.
  • Sleeping Bags (8kg+ machine):
    150ml for 1-season bags (0.8–1kg)
    300ml for 2–3 season bags (1.1–2kg)
    500ml for 4-season bags (2–2.5kg)

  Hand Wash

  Important: Use gloves. Clean first with Down Wash Direct®. Do not dry before proofing.

  • Clothing: For 1 item – use 150ml in 7.5L of water. For 2 items – use 300ml in 12–15L of water.
  • Immerse items in warm water, agitate to mix, ensure complete wetting.
  • Rinse in cold water until water runs clear.
  • Sleeping Bags: Use 300ml in 12–15L of water. Soak for 5–10 minutes, agitate thoroughly, then rinse until water runs clear.
  • Drain, gently press bag to expel excess water.

  Drying Instructions

  • Spin dry multiple times, gradually increasing speed. Do not spin too quickly while heavy with water to avoid damaging baffles.
  • Down Proof™ treated items need no heat to activate water repellency, but tumble drying is recommended (if care label allows) to fully dry down.
  • Tumble dry on a low setting until clumps disappear. Tease clumps apart by hand between cycles to restore loft.
  • Ensure the tumble dryer is large enough to allow the item to expand back to size.
  • After tumble drying, air items for at least 24 hours in a warm, dry place before storage.

  To maintain waterproofing, always clean with Nikwax Down Wash Direct®. Do not use conventional detergents.