Nikwax Outdoor Innovation Reviews 

I am absolutely appalled at the poor quality of Nikwax products and their totally lacking customer service.

I washed two Seasalt jackets with Nikwax Tech Wash & re-proofed them with TX.Direct, following the Nikwax instructions (and that of the care label of both garments) exactly. However, when I took them out the washing machine I was shocked to find them completely covered in hundreds of balls of sticky glue-like residue. My washing machine was also coated in this glue-like residue - I cannot begin to describe how sticky it is. I tried removing the sticky residue from the jackets with a microfibre cloth, soft rubber brush and lint roller, all to no avail. I have spent two full days trying to remove the residue from the jackets and clean my washing machine, with no success. I'd followed the instructions on the bottles exactly, the products were both well within date and were even recommended by Seasalt to maintain the jackets! I am now without a wearable raincoat and left wondering when I’ll have enough money to replace the two jackets, let alone replace my damaged washing machine.

As a note:
- I clean my washing machine regularly and cleaned it thoroughly before using the products, paying particular attention to ensure there was no leftover detergent anywhere - it was spotlessly clean!
- The products are both in date - BB 03/27.
- I have washed and re-proofed the same garments with Nikwax before with no issues, so I believe this to be a product quality issue with these particular batches (although it’s clearly not an isolated issue as so many other customers have sadly experienced the same).
- The care label on the jackets I washed even recommend them being washed and re-proofed with Nikwax!

I contacted Nikwax via their website contact form and received a totally unsatisfactory email reply. The email advised me to follow a 8-step process to remove the residue from the jackets. I’d already done this before contacting them, with no luck. The real kicker in the email is the line “if no improvement, professional dry cleaning may be required” - so they know how bad the issue is! They’re clearly aware of this issue as reading other Trustpilot reviews, numerous others have experienced the exact same issue and have received the same standard reply.

I replied to Nikwax explaining that the issues remained, but they have not got back in touch with me. I tried calling their customer service phone line and both times was cut off after 1 minute with a pre-recorded message that they’re unable to take any calls at the moment!

Never did I think I would have such terrible issues with these products. I hope that anyone considering using Nikwax Tech Wash and/or Nikwax TX.Direct reads these reviews before doing so, to save them the disappointment, hassle and cost of it ruining their decent outdoor gear.

Please AVOID.

Nikwax tech wash products delaminated almost all the inner taped seams on multiple goretex / waterproof garments, including old jackets which had been washed multiple times previously, as well as ones more recently purchased that were being washed for the first time. Instructions were diligently followed. Avoid this product, not worth the risk, especially for expensive high quality gear. It amazes me that sports retailers still sell it.

Really impressed with the customer service from Nikwax AU. Two of my bottles (Wool Wash and TX.Direct) leaked in transit due to the screw caps not sealing properly, and Lee from the team sorted it out quickly and professionally — no fuss, replacement bottles are apparently on the way!

I hand-washed my garments in the laundry sink rather than the washing machine, so I can't personally comment on the washing machine side of things. But after reading through other reviews mentioning residue/build-up issues with machine washing, I'll probably stick to hand-washing in the sink going forward rather than risk it. I did however feel the water repellent "stickiness" after washing.

Also, haven't tested the gear again after washing — if there is something wrong or damage to my gear, I will be letting them know about it. I feel bad for the people whose garments were damaged or ruined with this product, and it is making me a little bit hesitant to use this gear on my more expensive rain gear and goose down. Not sure about the product after reading the bad reviews.

Either way, the customer service experience alone made me want to leave this review — quick, professional, and no argument about making it right.

Used nikwax for our gore-tex jackets because ths was the product to use. Whased the several timex with other brands, no problem. But with Nikwax all the seamtape came loose result: jackets ruined. Financial damage €650,-.

Nikwax is forever espousing how good they are. Whilst this my apply to their products. The same can't be said about their Customer Service. In fact, based on my experience, they don't have one.
I simply left a message asking if their Down Proof was suitable for none down items. I also left them my number to call me back. That was three weeks ago!
As a result, I will now think twice before buying any of their products, again.

I bought nikwax cotton proof and it didnt work. I was later told by the company that i needed to wash the garments first in techwash. That meant that to waterproof a cotton coat and a pair of cotton motorcycle trousers was going to cost me over £40. And considering it only waterproofs for 4 washes meant it was cheaper to buy a lightweight pair of pak away trousers and a jacket. What a load of over priced rubbish. Ive litrally thrown £20 down the drain and lord knows what that as done to the wildlife. Save your money.

AVOID NIKWAX TX DIRECT UNLESS Y0O WANT YOUR GARMENTS AND WASHING MACHINE DAMAGED.

My Montane waterproof jacket and Berghaus waterproof trousers were both damaged when I recently used Nikwax TX Direct to try and re-waterproof them.

I used this product in combination with Tech wash on separate wash cycles and followed the instructions on each bottle of product to the letter. The garments were fine by the end of the wash cycle but after the TX Direct they were covered in sticky glue like balls and the washing machine drum and door were completely caked in a plastic glue like substance.

I contacted Nikwax furious and was given instructions on how to clean my washing machine using isopropyl alcohol and vinegar. I followed these instructions and spent over 8 hours trying to remove the residue. However, even though I finally managed to clean the residue from the inside of the drum the outside of the drum, which is impossible to reach, is still coated in the residue and in subsequent washes, residue has been transferred onto other clothing.

I sent my two garments back to Nikwax for cleaning and sent a letter of complaint. However nobody at Nikwax has made any attempt to get in touch or respond to my complaint and I am still awaiting a reply. I have phoned them twice but just getting fobbed off whenever I do, saying they need to speak to someone higher up in management.

They are obviously aware of this issue otherwise they wouldn't have instructions on how to clean your washing machine or a cleaning service for garments damaged by their product. And yet they don't seem interested in listening to complaints after their product has caused so much damage.

I am still awaiting my garments back but have no expectations that they will have been able to repair them. So I will probably have to claim for replacements - meanwhile I have been left without waterproofs for over four weeks.

I will never use Nikwax products again. The customer service is disgraceful and the TX Direct should never go anywhere near your washing machine or garments!

Avoid at all costs!

Used Tech wash and TX Direct spray to proof a Didricksons rain jacket. Followed instructions to the letter including pre rinsing my washing machine. First foray out and there was a vague suggestion of water beading for about a minute. Then the fabric wetted out completely. As far as I am concerned, this stuff doesn't work.

Nowadays I would advise against using any Nikwax products.
40 years ago I used to use tinned Nikwax on my mountaineering boots and other leather items for wet, snowy foul weather, as did many military friends, we absolutely relied on its ability to keep our boots waterproof even many degrees below zero for prolonged periods. In recent times I discovered it no longer existed so I tried their liquid in a plastic container with a fairly useless sponge applicator, which sort of works for short periods on everyday shoes but far less than useful for genuine mountaineering - and their Nikwax TX Direct spray-on waterproofer for clothing is absolutely useless and shouldn't be sold as a waterproofer.
Briefly, Nikwax products can no longer be trusted or relied on.

I echo the review of another listed here. After using NIKWAX products for years without issue. Used this product again (TECH WASH and TX.DIRECT) on my shooting coat and over trousers and all garments have now got numerous gluey sticky balls all over. On top of that my washing machine was filthy inside, covered in the same sticky residue and has now wrecked the laundry load I put in after using NIKWAX even after running a proprietary machine cleaner.
My garments are is never going to be the same after following the instructions to the letter, cleaning the machine before hand etc.
Disgusted by this product and the hopeless 'customer service' from the company. They simply do not want to know and take no responsibility for a seriously unfit product line.
AVOID AT ALL COSTS.

I've used Paramo and Nikwax for a very long time and own several of the jackets/smocks/trousers. Modern Nikwax doesn't work. Old Nikwax proofing was fantastic and worked perfectly. As a company they aren't interested in customer feedback. It's a real pity as the original combination, Nikwax/Paramo was the best I've ever used. I'd say that it's now shower proof at best.

I have used this two products TECH WASH and TX DIRECT as recommended on the label for clean and reproof my Patagonia waterproof jacket, with the correct dose and at the right temperature but this time all went wrong.

I had already washed with the same product and bottle months ago in other jackets and they came out ok.

The expiration date on the TX DIRECT bottle is 08/25 and in the TECH WASH is the same date, so the product has to be ok but when I opened the TX DIRECT I noticed they were like two coats like dry gummy paint on top and liquid on the bottom I shook it and it was ok, but this time the jacket came out covered in sticky granules that don't even get out with soap of my hands, the whole washing machine how it has a sticky layer, and I can't even imagine how the pipes will be, that's crap, and how can it be that a product that is not expired and that I have used 2 other times with good results cleaning before but this time has been a total disaster. I will never use this brand again!!!

Hopeless, hopeless, hopeless. I bought 2.5 litres of Nikwax Solar waterproofing for my tent. Application was a nightmare. The sprayer that came with the pack would not work. It had no syphon suction, whatever setting you attempted to put it on. Just a piece of junk and simply not good enough considering the price paid. The instructions only refer to spraying, not a brush so I found an old spraying bottle and used that. It was a messy job but eventually I managed to get it done with a lot of "wipe off".
I shall come back to this review in a week to report on whether the waterproofing has worked. But next time I shall try an alternative brush on product.

Nikwax Down wash left white residue all over my down jackets. I had to hand scrub what I could off the jackets (which was time consuming!) and wash them again to get most of it off.
I followed all the instructions on the bottle, including putting my fairly new washing machine through a 'clean cycle' at 90 degrees, cleaning the detergent drawer and all rubber sealing within the washing machine before putting my garments in the machine. I then took photos, rang the shop I purchased it from (Macpac) and then emailed them to follow it up. I didn't hear back from them, so I drove back into the shop to ask them face to face what to do, and they told me there was nothing they could do given the bottle was open.
I'm pleased to hear other customers have had the same problem, as I thought it was just me.
Never use this product, buy a different brand.

Followed instructions fully and its left my jackets covered in white dots like really bad dandruff. They are totally unwearable now. Also left scum all over the washing machine. Customer service doesnt really seem interested in the issue at all..

I've never understood why nikwax get the exposure they do, the products just don't work as designed, or if they do, only marginally on initial use. The waterproofing products are "initially" water repellent, but do not last. Great marketing. Poor product.

Great products and great customer service. I've seen bad reviews of Nikwax Tech Wash and TX.Direct but my experience could not be different. I use these all the time on my waterproof jackets and trousers. I've also used Nikwax waterproofing products for my leather boots, which work better than those offered by other companies. Finally their customer service is excellent in a world when many companies don't believe in it!

DO NOT USE. Used this product (tech wash and tx.direct on my Didriksons coat and its now got little sticky balls on it and is less waterproof than before i started. On top of that my washing machine is filthy inside, covered in the same sticky residue and has now wrecked the laundry load I put in after using nikwax (I’d even run a clean machine cycle in between).

I’ve ordered specialist miele product to try to rescue my washing machine but my coat is never going to be the same and I’ve no idea of my laundry load will wash through ok or to just throw it all out.

I followed the instructions to the letter, cleaning the machine before hand etc

Disgusted by this product, it’s one thing not to work but another to wreck a £1600 washing machine and 100s of £ of clothes.

AVOID AT ALL COSTS.

I’ve been using Nikwax for years and have always been quite happy with it.
Opened a new 300ml bottle of TX.Direct Wash-In, the seal was intact, it contained just short of 200ml!
That’s one way to increase your profit margin!

Update: great customer service, got a surprise replacement in the post.

I have persevered with Nikwax products but I have had it today. I have used Tech Wash and TX Direct on a Berghaus waterproof jacket and it has come out with little whitish sticky bobbles all over.

On ukclimbing(dot)com someone described these as sticky snot balls and there are plenty of people posting on the web who have had the same problem.

I took out the detergent drawer to make sure it was clean; I used in-date Nikwax products; I followed the instructions on the bottles and on the garments to the letter.

This has happened before! There has to be a flaw in one of these two products for so many people to have problems.