Yet again I've run out of Techwash after using it to clean just two garments and really don't fancy buying any more of this costly stuff. I've always wondered if the techwash is some sort of fad that never gets disputed by anyone or properly tested for claimed effectiveness. Can't I just use cheap pure soap flakes from TESCO in place of techwash, and use their TX product for proofing, which by the way I do like!
Is Nikwax techwash really different from standard soap?
- Thread starter lub0
- Start date
I've wondered about this myself, especially since reading Ronald Turnbull's 'The Book of the Bivvy", in which he says:
"A recent test in Trail magazine used Comfort fabric softener as a control in a test of waterproofing treatments, and found it out-performed many technical waterproofing treatments at one hundred times the cost."
"A recent test in Trail magazine used Comfort fabric softener as a control in a test of waterproofing treatments, and found it out-performed many technical waterproofing treatments at one hundred times the cost."
rancid badger
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Simple answer?
Try the cheap soap flakes
If they get the muck out satisfactorily etc, re-proof the gear as normal and see how you get on.
Try the cheap soap flakes
If they get the muck out satisfactorily etc, re-proof the gear as normal and see how you get on.
yes and no.
The main think is not how well they remove dirt but how easily they rinse out. Pure soap does leave deposits will Tec Wash etc rinses out a lot better - in part due to it being liquid to start with but also due to teh formulation. Not all soap - liquid or flake are the same.
This residue blocks the pore in membrane fabrics.
Also the technical "liquid soaps" are pH neutral. Soap is alway alkali - often to a suprising level.
Similarly Comfort will help a jacket to bead water - its the lipids etc in it that do that. But those very lipids will also block pores. So while Trial say it makes it more waterproof it also reduces breathability.
i've take to regarding any test in Trail with a god pinch of salt - as they don't present the full picture and are often not very good on the science behind things.
The main think is not how well they remove dirt but how easily they rinse out. Pure soap does leave deposits will Tec Wash etc rinses out a lot better - in part due to it being liquid to start with but also due to teh formulation. Not all soap - liquid or flake are the same.
This residue blocks the pore in membrane fabrics.
Also the technical "liquid soaps" are pH neutral. Soap is alway alkali - often to a suprising level.
Similarly Comfort will help a jacket to bead water - its the lipids etc in it that do that. But those very lipids will also block pores. So while Trial say it makes it more waterproof it also reduces breathability.
i've take to regarding any test in Trail with a god pinch of salt - as they don't present the full picture and are often not very good on the science behind things.
Good logical points you make there, thanks.
I'm trying to develop a cleaning procedure for all my gear, as simple and cheap as possible because it's really annoying me how every facet of life seems to have some sort of highly specialised, very expensive "solution" that touts itself as the best way to do it, and I get sucked it like many else do. Garment cleaning is no exception to these deadly money traps!
Would this procedure provide good results?
1. dissolve soap flakes in hot water or just use liquid soap
2. place soap in drum with the garments. Or should I put the soap in the machine tray?
3. once garment is cleaned, put washer on a rinse cycle to remove any residual soap, maybe do this twice?
4. remove cleaned garment, hang it up and proof with a topical spray like Nikwax TX or similar product.
5. tumble dry to activate the proofing
6. done?
A few questions though. How many grams of soap flakes should I use for something like say a british army issue bivi bag that is absolutely huge and weights 860 grams?
Should bivi bags and clothing in general be placed in a net bag before going inside the washing machine?
Does washing in a washing machine harm taped seams?
What cycle type and temperature is best for cleaning gore-tex, paramo and other technical fabric garments?
Also can rucksacks be washed in washing machines because hand washing them is a pain! I'd love to get my old karrimor rucksack looking nice and clean and proofed for water repellency.
Thanks for the tip. I went to local boots store and picked up a box of soap flakes for £2.69 for now, though.
As EdS said, I would think that the fabric softner is providing a water repellent film, but also blocks the micro pours and does not allow for breathability. Could be wrong though! How these products like Granger sand Nikwax do the trick I haven't the slightest. Maybe they don't??
Last edited:
My 2p on it; I have not had the same results with soap flakes/liquid soap as with tech wash. Even using some of the new technical soaps that the supermarket sells haven't done as well.
I find tech wash cleans better and rinses much more easily.
Tech wash is expensive, which is why I buy it in the litre containers or bigger. Using the 300ml ones isn't cost effective.
Also; soap flakes will froth up in a machine. Swmbo wont be happy when she finds her kitchen full of soap suds
I find tech wash cleans better and rinses much more easily.
Tech wash is expensive, which is why I buy it in the litre containers or bigger. Using the 300ml ones isn't cost effective.
Also; soap flakes will froth up in a machine. Swmbo wont be happy when she finds her kitchen full of soap suds
Last edited:
Tech Wash is worth the money.
I tend to wash waterproofs fairly reguarly (mine get very muddy) but I mostly just wash them on a cold / tepid synthetic cycle with not soap / tec wash/whatever. Then just use Tech wash every so often - normal just prior to TX application.
I think TX is more like a latex layer that sticks to the fibres themselves and prevents them form absorbing water rather than an oil flim over the entire surface
I tend to wash waterproofs fairly reguarly (mine get very muddy) but I mostly just wash them on a cold / tepid synthetic cycle with not soap / tec wash/whatever. Then just use Tech wash every so often - normal just prior to TX application.
I think TX is more like a latex layer that sticks to the fibres themselves and prevents them form absorbing water rather than an oil flim over the entire surface
Its made from parrafin wax and zirconium salts. From what I can glean from datasheets, its actually pretty similar to most wash-in waterproofers.
I've not tried Tech Wash yet, I've always used soap flakes washing by hand in a bucket. Lots of rinsing and then into a dryer on low heat for about 20 minutes.
The key to using flakes is to make sure you get it all off with the rinsing, I've found some fabrics like eVent or Pro Shell really try to hang on to it, feeling almost greasy if you don't get it all off.
I've got a few Nikwax samples somewhere plus a big bottle of Tech Wash from a Blacks clearance last year, I'll have to try them one day when Carol's out.
The key to using flakes is to make sure you get it all off with the rinsing, I've found some fabrics like eVent or Pro Shell really try to hang on to it, feeling almost greasy if you don't get it all off.
I've got a few Nikwax samples somewhere plus a big bottle of Tech Wash from a Blacks clearance last year, I'll have to try them one day when Carol's out.
that how i do it, I wait until Julie is out before using the washing machine for my outdoor kit I've washed a few rucksacks and had no real problems. If you can turn them inside out first then this can help (saves the outside getting scuffed plus any buckles on the outside will make it sound like you've got Fred Astaire in your washing machine).
Make sure there's nothing lurking in the pockets (check at least 3 times as I've discovered ferro rods, sharpening stones and coins make repair men very happy)
Small rucksacks can be stuck inside an old pillowcase, larger ones inside an old quilt or similar (protects the washing machine and the rucksack).
Remember to remove any internal frame although if you managed to get it into the washing machine with the frame in-situ then fair play to you...
I recently washed and reproofed my old Baggins rucksack for the first time(anyone remember this make?) that my rock climbing gear lives in. Came out like new...bearing in mind it's at least 25 years old and has spent a lot of time dumped at the bottom of muddy crags (often after my idiot climbing partner dropped it from the top
)Please note, I'm issuing my standard disclaimer absolving myself of all liability resulting in loss, damage or domestic disputes...
It's also worth bearing in mind what you are using the clothing for. if you are into Hunting/wildlife-watching then the Techwash offers a much lower UV trace than normal washing flakes (so i've heard). This is pretty important as many animals eyes are far more sensitive to UV than ours. Not an issue for most folk but an interesting aside to the pros and cons etc.
Baggins
Baggins
Similar threads
