Techwash is a soap-based cleaner for waterproofs and softshells that doesn’t compromise the factory water repellent treatments or leave a residue on the fabric.
Basewash is a cleaner specifically for baselayers, has a ‘deodorising element’ – can’t really see the point of it, normal detergent works fine.
TX Direct is a water repellent treatment to be applied after Techwash to make the surface of the garment water repellent.
If you want an all in one washer and proofer, Grangers does one called Two In One (or something like that) which both washes and reproofs at the same time. Only snag with that is you need to heat treat the garment after use with with a tumble drier on low or a careful ironing session.
You may not actually need to reproof after washing with Techwash. If the factory DWR is still working – see if the surface of the garment beads if you splash water on it – then that’s fine. And tumble drying or heating with an iron (carefully, see care label) may also revive the factory DWR).
But Basewash is a complete red herring as far as washing waterproof clothing goes.
Nikwax also has a new baselayer conditioner called Basefresh due out this autumn which you use in conjunction with normal detergent and is claimed to clean, reduce smells, soften and improve wicking performance dramatically. Smells a bit floral, but seems to work surprisingly well so far.
Alternatively just pop into your local supermarket and buy some pure soapflakes or the pure liquid soap stuff and use that instead of the techwash…
[sorry, that was dull as even by my standards…]
