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Proper Care of Flame-Resistant Garments


Laundry Wash Key

Water Temperature

Industrial Wash

165°F maximum

Light Soil Wash

140°F maximum

Home Wash

120°F maximum

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.


Stain Removal

  • 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.


Industrial Laundry

  • 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.


Dry Clean

  • Perchloroethylene or petroleum solvent may be used.



 

Always check the care tag on the garment and/or consult the garment manufacturer for detailed instructions and precautions.

 

   NEVER USE:   

  •    Chlorine bleach or detergents with bleach   

  •    Detergents that contain animal fats   

  •    Fabric softener or dryer sheets   

  •    DEET spray   

 






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