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* Nixwax Tech Wash - will clean dirty clothes (very important as dirt completely
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kills DWR) and slightly repair watter repelency (very slightly on new or recently
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treated items and with heat drying).
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* Nixwax TX.Direct - should be applied to already clean garments (i.e. second
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washing) and should really recover watter repelency. There is also Spray-On
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variant. Acteryx recommends to use Spray-On. It should be applied directly
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after washing on wet clothes. After, application the heat drying is
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recommended (however, Nixwax claims it is not needed). On other hand, it
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said that heat may destroy watter-proof zips and care should be taken.
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Acterix recommends tumble drying on low settings (see their docs for details),
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I have tried to use electric heater with fan and it seems fine.
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* Trousers with new Gortex tech should not be left wet at all. Imediate drying
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* Softshell, etc. can be also treated with DWR but it will hold much less.
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I tried wash-in and it was fine.
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Hi, I'm a product development chemist at Nikwax and hopefully I can help. I'm not just talking from a biased point
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of view either having owned a Paramo jacket for over 10 years (far longer than I've been at Nikwax!).
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The two technologies that we at Nikwax and Grangers use are somewhat different. Nikwax do not use the fluorocarbons
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used in Grangers products (xtreme, but not performance series which are similiar to nixwax). Fluorocarbons require
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heating to activate (not a problem with your Paramo garment) and have a dubious environmental and health record
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(ask yourself why 3M completely withdrew ScotchGard from the market!).
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Performance wise, Nikwax technology, as well as being optimised for Paramo garments, offers a longer lasting DWR
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than a fluorocarbon product. The fluorocarbon product may give a better appearance with the beading, but the effects
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are largely superficial. Our lab trials show this.
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If you've found that your Paramo is wetting out sooner than expected with Nikwax treatments, it may be in need of a
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little more TLC than a soap based cleaner (like Tech Wash) can offer. Soap based cleaners are great at removing dirt,
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but not so effective at getting rid of grease. Unfortunately, grease builds up over time from perspiration and the like.
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Therefore your Paramo sounds like it needs a good detergent wash (and if it's not been done in while a dry clean).
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After that, wash it in Tech Wash again (to remove the detergent) and then reproof with TX-Direct. Bang!
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Fluorocarbon-trouncing performance!
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Nikwax TX-Direct Wash In can work better with tumble drying, but it is very dependent on fabric. There tends to be very little
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difference with Paramo garments. My tried and trusted 10 year old Paramo jacket has been reproofed every 6 months with TX-Direct
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(and it's predecessor TX-10i) and I've not had access to a tumble dryer.
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Several persons though complain, - I've also found that Paramo (and other) waterproofs wet out much more quickly if not tumble dried.