We decided to purchase Nikwax Tech Wash, a laundry detergent specifically made for rain gear, at the recommendation of our kid’s forest school teachers.  I must admit, at first I was a little stubborn (or lazy…or foolish? Skeptical?).  I actually waited until Georgia started forest school to purchase, even though I’d learned about Nikwax when Bergen started over 3 years ago!

We’ve now used Nikwax a handful of times since the fall, and I’ve been very impressed with how clean and refreshed our rain gear is after coming out of the wash.

Today I was inspired to document the process since Georgia’s rain gear was particularly muddy after forest school.  It happened to snow this morning here in Seattle, creating lots of excitement at our house, and at school.  There wasn’t much accumulation, and what did accumulate melted quickly, so the kids must have switched from snow play to mud play!

Quick Tidbits about Nikwax Tech Wash

• Nikwax Tech Wash is designed for wet weather clothing and equipment.  Finishes such as Gore-Tex, eVent, Omni-Dry, and NeoShell can be damaged by conventional detergents.
• Usage instructions depend on your type of washing machine (top or front loading), so read directions on the Nikwax bottle carefully.
• Only 2 garments (for front loading washing machines) should be washed at a time.  I interpret that to mean adult-sized garments, so when I’m washing the kid’s rain gear, I tend to put in 4 garments per load.
• Detergent dispenser in the washing machine must be completely free/clean of any other detergents/soaps.

Washing Rain Gear with Nikwax

Here are the steps I took today to wash Georgia’s raincoat and rain bib/overalls:

1. Set rain gear in washing machine.  We have a front loading machine.
2. Add 3.4 ounces of Nikwax Tech Wash to (clean) detergent dispenser.  I grabbed our measuring cup just to be sure!
3. Based around Nikwax instructions, I set my washer on:
   • delicate
   • warm-warm
   • medium spin speed
   • mid-heavy soil
4. Start wash, and let the magic happen!

Now for the side by side comparison!

First let’s see Georgia’s gear before we washed them with Nikwax Tech Wash.

And now, here’s Georgia’s gear after we washed them with Nikwax Tech Wash.

Thoughts on Nikwax Tech Wash’s Performance:

• Overall, I’m really pleased with how well Nikwax is cleaning & refreshing our rain gear and other waterproof clothing!
• As you can see, there are some small spots that remain “dirty”, mostly just around the wrists and ankles.  I am confident that those would remain with regular detergent as well.
• All of the clothes and other garments we have washed with Nikwax have kept up their waterproofing.
• Nikwax is on the pricier side.  The 10 ounce bottle that we purchased in the fall technically allowed us just 3 loads.  Is it worth it? Absolutely.  We NEED our rain gear to continue to do it’s job for us.  Having a product that cleans, revitalizes breathability, and restores water repellency allows us to keep on adventuring (outside…in the rain…and snow)!

I purchased Nikwax on Amazon as a combo pack with the brand’s wash-in waterproofing product for about $16.  Since we haven’t used the wash-in waterproofing product yet, I plan to buy the larger 33.8 ounce tech wash bottle next.

Do you have any spring cleaning rituals or traditions? Have you tried Nikwax? Let’s chat in the comments!

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