Jan 12 min read

Proper Care of Flame-Resistant Garments

Home Wash

Wash separately inside out, normal or cotton cycle, at a water temperature of 140°F or less.
Use any typical home laundry detergent. Do not use soap (tallow soap containing animal fats).
- Hot water can increase the effectiveness of detergents.
Do not use chlorine bleach, liquid nonchlorine bleach, starch or fabric softeners.
Use of conditioned or soft water improves the removal of contaminants from garments.
- Hard water precipitates soaps, resulting in calcium and magnesium salt build-up which can serve as fuel if exposed to an ignition source.
All soils and other contaminants must be completely removed from garments during washing. (May require presoaking garments or the use of stain removal products.)
- If removal is difficult, try laundering garments at a local industrial laundry or dry cleaner.
Do not over-dry garments. To remove wrinkles, press with iron on Permanent Press/Low Setting.

Remove any garments that come into contact with flammable substances immediately and replace them with clean FR apparel.
Home or industrial laundering removes most types of both flammable and non-flammable soils.
- Garments with soils that cannot be removed may be compromised.
It may be difficult to determine that flammable soils have been completely removed.
- Best indicator they are still present: stain and/or odor is still existent after laundering.
- If still present, garments can be dry cleaned.

Wash FR apparel separately to avoid damaging the luminescent effect.
Use soft water (less than 4.0 grains). Hard water can cause buildup of mineral salts, negating the flame-resistant characterisitics and serving as fuel if exposed to an ignition source.
Use non-ionic formulas. Avoid the use of natural soaps (anionic or tallow soap).
Use a combination of an adequate wash temperature (up to 140°F) and detergent formulated to thoroughly clean all contaminants from garments.
Do not use chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) to preserve the luminescent effect.
Garments heavily soiled with particulate or abrasive soils should be flushed at 105°F at the beginning of the cycle to reduce abrasion in the wash.
- Wash formulas and load sizes should be set up to minimize redeposition and fabric abrasion.
Do not use starch, fabric softener, or other laundry additives.
- Garments should be sourced to a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
Do not over-dry.
Condition at a stack setting of 165°F to prevent fabric temperature measured in the basket from exceeding 280°F.
- Proper cool down to 100°F or less in conditioning will result in the best appearance.
Remove immediately after washing and drying to prevent setting wrinkles.
Tunnel finishing will improve appearance.