An incredibly useful bundle from Nikwax, the Essential Kit Plus will help to keep your outdoor clothing and footwear in optimal condition. The kit contains Tech Wash and TX Direct, ideal for cleaning and reproofing your outdoor clothing. The Tech Wash helps lift dirt and detritus from the fabric, helping to reinvigorate any DWR treatments and cleaning any pores in membraned fabrics. In combination with the TX Direct, which acts as a reproofing agent, these two will keep your outerwear functioning well.
For base layers, a bottle of Base Fresh has been included. Base Fresh effectively deodorises and helps inhibit the build-up of body odours. It also helps accelerate the drying process and overall efficiency of the base layer after it has been washed.
Also included in the kit are bottles of Footwear Cleaning Gel and Fabric and Leather Proof, both of which will offer similar treatment to your footwear. To complement the cleaning gel Nikwax also include a Shoe Brush to help remove the worst of the dirt from the footwear being treated. The bundle comes supplied in a 10litre dry bag with Nikwax branding on the side.
Over time, dirt and body oils can build up on clothing and footwear, masking the effect of any waterproof coating. Nikwax product care cleans your outdoor clothing, removing dirt and contaminants, reviving breathability and water repellency.
- Environmentally Friendly - Nikwax products are water-based, PFC-free and Nikwax have never used any harmful aerosols or fluorocarbons
- 10ltr Nikwax Drybag including carrying strap
- 300ml TX Direct
- 300ml Tech Wash
- 300ml BaseFresh
- 125ml Footwear Cleaning Gel
- 125ml Fabric & Leather
- Shoe Brush
Care and maintenance
To keep your outdoor clothing and equipment in tip top condition and performing to its maximum we recommend the use of Nikwax products. We have been using Nikwax products since day one (26th March 1986) and have found them to be totally reliable, dependable and effective. Today’s Nikwax treatments contain environmentally friendly elastic water-repellent polymers that bond to fabric fibres, leaving the spaces between open and breathable. These stretchy polymers are able to stretch and move with the fabric so they stay put for longer and work better.
Nikwax treatments will not change the look or feel of the fabric and they are all water based, environmentally safe, non-flammable and contain no nasty Fluorocarbons. Nikwax products can be used to clean, re-proof and revitalise all your outdoor technical clothing and equipment.
Waterproof breathable clothing has a durable water-repellent (DWR) finish applied to the face fabric during the manufacturing process. The DWR forces water to bead up and roll off the surface therefore preventing the fabric from absorbing moisture. If the outside of your jacket is soaked in a layer of cold water, the warm damp air within can’t escape and will condense on the inside. This makes the jacket feel cold clammy and can make you think that it’s leaking. The DWR finish is not permanent and needs to be maintained and revitalised to optimise performance.
This three layer waterproof jacket should be cleaned regularly with Nikwax Tech Wash; I wash my jacket about once a month, or more often if it gets really filthy. Regular washing with Tech Wash will maintain the DWR for longer and remove salts and oils that can contaminate the fabric, and it will keep your lovely jacket clean and smelling fresh. Washing can be done in a machine according to the manufacturers care guidelines (on the internal label). First clean out any detergent and conditioner residue from the machine dispenser and then add the required amount of Tech Wash and away you go. Hand washing is also suitable but be sure to rinse the garment well.
When you notice that rain/water is no longer beading up and rolling off it’s time to re-proof. Nikwax TX Direct will re-instate a long lasting DWR to completely rejuvenate your jacket. Re-proofing can also be done in the machine once a garment has been washed. Just add the TX-Direct and use the same programme you used for washing. You can also use the spray-on product on a damp garment that has just been washed.
You wouldn’t buy a Ferrari and never have it serviced, so make sure you regularly wash and re-proof your quality kit.