Fabric Cleaners/Treatments

Featured review by Gary Leatham

BEST IN CLASS! What would you give to restore your most technical (typically expensive), breathable waterproof/repellent gear back to its original functional state? What you give to add durable water resistant (DWR) finish capability to a favorite synthetic fabric item, that did not have it in the first place?  What if this just costed $1 to 4 per item, and can be done at home ... without the need for a Flux Capacitor or Hot Tub Time Machine? Would it make you happy if there were no persistent chemicals added into the environment, that you are trying to see, while using this gear? Consider giving Wash-In a try. Worked GREAT for me, so far, on a variety of gear.

Over the last few years, I'm becoming more and more impressed with the products and vision of Nikwax. I've learned with every new one I try, that they must have invested extensive R&D and testing to create their (I'm finding to be) highly effective products. Nikwax does not just put words on a label. They assist me in proving those words out, on my gear, under my home conditions.If you think this is high praise, test Wash-In and see the results for yourself.   Out here a working rain shell jacket or pants might just help save my life.

Read more: Nikwax TX.Direct Wash-In reviews (5)

Reviewed by Charles Brodeur II

Best bang for the buck.

Previously, I've used Nikwax for down and thought I'd try McNett's Gear Aid. I won't be using Nikwax any longer and here's why: GA goes waaay farther, like about four to eight times what NW does making it that much less cost. Having used the 3-4 ozs. of Nikwax that's recommended for a down bag and finding that it does the job fine, I tried Gear Aid. They say it's concentrated four times more and using it made a believer of me. Literally, 1.5 ozs. cleans a down sleeping bag, though the label recommendation is 3-4 ozs.

Read more: Gear Aid ReviveX Pro Cleaner review (1)

Reviewed by Mike Mineart

The Nikwax Hardshell DUO-Pack is a great choice for bringing back both the waterproofness and breathability of your Goretex or other waterproof breathable membrane gear. This kit includes a bottle of Tech Wash cleaner and a bottle of TX. Direct, which is a waterproofing treatment that allows water to shed off your jacket.

I have a couple of older jackets that have long ago started too wet out easily and were not nearly as waterproof as when they were new, so I thought I’d pick up the DUO-Pack from Nikwax and use it to clean and retreat my jackets. The kit comes with two bottles where one is the Tech Wash which is used to first clean your jackets and then the second bottle of TX.Direct is a wash-in waterproofing/water repellency treatment. Breathable waterproof membrane-based materials really only work when the pores in the membrane are free of dirt, sweat, and other crud and when the outer material layer sheds water and doesn’t “wet-out” which effectively prevents water vapor from coming through the membrane.

Read more: Nikwax Hardshell DuoPack review (1)

Reviewed by John Foy

Rust-Oleum NeverWet Fabric is a one-step, superhydrophobic, water repelling treatment designed to keep items dry longer. Goes on clear and causes water to bead up and roll off treated gear.

I had tried the original Rust-Oleum NeverWet that comes in a two-can, two-step spray can form factor on some gear and while it worked great, it dried to an unsightly cloudy haze. Now Rust-Oleum has introduced NeverWet Fabric aimed at the outdoor furniture market. Having recently enjoyed a leaky tent on a rainy weekend trip, I decided to re-seam seal the tent and try NeverWet Fabric. As advertised, it goes on clear with no haze and took five to ten minutes to apply to my two-person tent.  One bottle was enough to treat my tent with perhaps enough left over to treat a jacket.

Read more: Rust-Oleum NeverWet Fabric review (1)

Featured review by Emily L.

Its a liquid solution you paint over the tips of your existing gloves to make them touchscreen compatible! It works great on my snowboarding gloves. I love how I didn't have to buy a new pair of glove for this function. I definitely recommend it to anyone who has a pair of gloves that don't work with their phones!

I bought this product after seeing it on a review and I must say I was a little skeptical at first but it works great! I didn't think it would work on my snowboarding gloves since they were so thick but it works surprisingly well. The box said there is enough liquid for 30 treatments and each treatment can last for a month. I would say the only negative thing I have to say about the product is the smell when it's wet. it kind of smells like nail polish but once it's dried the smell is gone!  The application part was easy to use. I had to apply it to a larger area to make it more conductive, but that wasn't a problem. I've gone snowboarding twice now and it works great. 

Read more: Nanotips Black reviews (2)