These days, more and more brands are moving away from using PFAS chemicals in the water-repellent coatings on their technical garments. That is undoubtedly a positive step for the environment, since PFAS have been linked to long-term pollution of waterways, harm to wildlife and risks to human health. The trade-off, however, is that today’s PFAS-free alternatives do not yet match the same level of performance, particularly when it comes to water repellency and stain resistance on waterproof jackets and down gear.
Fortunately, this is where aftercare products from the likes of Nikwax can make a real difference. I’ve been testing their new Stain Scrub recently, and it’s proven to be a genuinely useful solution to the problem of modern jackets being much more prone to staining.
How it Works
Oil marks, mud or berry stains can often be very tricky to remove from technical outdoor clothing. What’s more, normal stain treatments can contain bleaching agents and harmful chemicals. This product from Nikwax is designed to remove marks safely, without stripping away any existing water-repellent treatments that might already be present.
It is essentially a small bottle that dispenses the solution through a brush head. All you need to do is squeeze the bottle and brush at the mark, then put your garment into a washing machine along with some of Nikwax’s Tech Wash.
In the video below, and the images on this page, I used it to remove a squashed blackberry mark from my light blue Fjällräven Keb Eco-Shell jacket. It worked perfectly, with all traces of the stain vanishing. I genuinely thought it would be permanent, but it’s saved the day.
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Do you need to use it with Nikwax Tech Wash? Yes, you do. Your item needs to be washed after you’ve applied the Stain Scrub, and we would advise using a technical cleaner such as Tech Wash instead of normal laundry detergent. I did try using the Stain Scrub without washing the jacket and it left a water mark that only came out once I had washed it properly.
Sustainability
We’ve liked what we have seen here at Outdoors Magic. So much so that we’ve included Nikwax Stain Scrub in our Greener Gear Guide.
First and foremost, we love any product that helps to extend the lifetime of our gear. We also like the fact that the solution doesn’t contain any eco-hazardous chemicals, and that it is solvent-free and water-based. The bottles are even made from recycled plastic and can be recycled too.
What’s more, Nikwax as a company has a long track record of prioritising sustainability, from its carbon-balanced operations to supporting environmental and social initiatives worldwide. Lots to like.
Buy Nikwax Stain Scrub: £7.99 at Nikwax.com
