Nikwax Guide to Base Layers

What is a base layer?

Base layers are great at keeping you comfortable while you’re active. They trap a thin layer of air against the body to regulate temperature, while working to wick sweat away from the skin and speed up evaporation to keep you dry.

Base layers come in a range of styles and materials. Woollen base layers are great at keeping you comfortable and they resist odour more effectively than synthetics. However, they tend to be more expensive. Synthetic base layers are lightweight, offer excellent wicking properties and are cheaper than woollen alternatives. However, without the right care they can become pretty stinky!

Woollen and synthetic base layers need to be cared for in different ways in order to maintain their performance. Not sure how to keep your base layers clean and fresh? Nikwax has a number of solutions! Which Nikwax product you chose will depend on the base layer material and how many you want to wash; one or two base layers with your other laundry or a whole wash load at a time?

For washing a handful of base layers with the rest of your regular laundry use Nikwax BaseFresh!

Nikwax BaseFresh is perfect if you don’t have a full load of base layers to clean, and is suitable for base layers made of any material. Simply place items into the washing machine with the rest of your laundry, use the usual amount of regular detergent, then add 50ml of Nikwax BaseFresh to the fabric conditioner drawer. Wash according to the care label to enjoy these benefits of Nikwax BaseFresh:

  • Deodorises and maintains freshness by preventing odour build up
  • Enhances and revitalises wicking and increases breathability, helping to spread sweat and dry the garment faster, keeping you more comfortable
  • Can improve stain resistance
  • Easy to use – can be used with conventional detergents and there’s no need to run a separate wash load for base layers
  • Can be used with more aggressive detergents and cleaners to remove stubborn stains, such as chain oil, without compromising the performance of base layers

For a whole wash load of synthetic base layers use Nikwax BaseWash!

A full wash load of synthetic base layers can be cleaned and revitalised using Nikwax BaseWash.  Used neat before washing, BaseWash can be used to treat stubborn stains. Or, simply load the washing machine with base layers and use 50ml of BaseWash (for front loading machines) in place of your regular detergent. Wash according to the care label to enjoy these benefits of Nikwax BaseWash:

  • Easy to use in your washing machine at home
  • Enhances and revitalises wicking and increases breathability, helping sweat to spread and dry faster, keeping you comfortable
  • Removes odours from fabric fibres
  • Refreshes synthetic base layers; deodorises and maintains freshness by preventing odour build up during wear

Nikwax BaseWash is also available as a handy 100ml Travel Gel!

For a whole wash load of woollen base layers use Nikwax Wool Wash!

A full wash load of woollen base layers can be safely cleaned and revitalised by using Nikwax Wool Wash. You can use WoolWash neat on woollens before washing to treat stubborn stains. Simply load the washing machines with woollen base layers, add 50ml of WoolWash (for front loading machines) in place of your regular detergent. Wash according to the care label to enjoy these benefits of Nikwax Wool Wash:

  • Easy to use – WoolWash cleans and conditions at the same time
  • Refreshes synthetic base layers by deodorising and maintaining freshness by preventing odour build up during wear
  • Enhances and revitalises wicking and increases breathability, helping sweat to spread and dry faster, keeping you comfortable
  • Maintains the softness of woollen base layers
  • Removes odours from fabric fibres

Nikwax WoolWash is also available as a handy 100ml Travel Gel!

Watch our video for more information on base layer cleaning and care:

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