Flame-resistant clothing keeps workers safe from fire hazards, but washing it the wrong way can ruin those protective qualities. It’s tempting to toss FR clothing in with the rest of your work gear, but that shortcut can actually make the garments less effective.
Washing flame-resistant clothing takes a bit of care: you’ll need the right detergent, skip the fabric softener, and pay attention to water temperature if you want to keep the gear protective.
Learning the right way to wash FR clothing helps these pricey garments last longer and keeps their safety features intact. You can’t just rely on your usual laundry habits—there are certain products and washing methods that will actually protect the flame-resistant qualities.
Essential Steps for Washing Flame Retardant Clothing
When you wash FR clothing, you really have to follow the care label, use safe detergents, choose the right water temperature, and dry with care. These steps make a difference in keeping the clothes protective.
Read and Follow the Care Label Instructions
The care label is your best friend for FR clothing. Every manufacturer uses different materials and treatments, so they all have their own rules for washing and drying.
Before you do anything, find the care label inside your FR gear. It tells you the highest water temp you can use, which detergents are okay, and what to avoid.
Look for these care label details:
- Maximum water temperature
- Detergents you can use
- Any fabric softener restrictions
- Drying temperature limits
- Special handling notes
Some FR materials, like arc-rated clothing, need even more careful handling than basic flame-resistant gear. The extra treatments mean stricter washing rules.
Industrial laundry services sometimes specialize in cleaning PPE according to the manufacturer’s instructions. They use industrial-grade detergents made for FR fabrics.
Choose the Right Detergent and Avoid Prohibited Additives
If you want to keep FR clothing protective and clean, you have to pick the right detergent. The wrong kind can mess up the fabric’s safety features for good.
Good detergent options for FR gear:
- Mild, industrial-grade detergents
- No bleach or chlorine
- No hydrogen peroxide
- Specialized FR fabric detergents
Avoid these—they’ll ruin your FR clothing:
- Fabric softener – leaves flammable residue
- Starch – makes fabric more flammable
- Bleach – breaks down protective fibers
- Chlorine-based products – damages treatments
- Hydrogen peroxide – weakens the fabric
Always check the detergent label before you use it. Even products that say “bleach alternative” can still harm FR workwear, so it’s best to skip them.
Use the recommended amount of detergent. Too much can leave residue and mess with the fabric’s protective abilities.
Select Appropriate Water Temperature and Wash Settings
Water temperature matters a lot for FR clothing. Most of the time, warm water—about 140°F (60°C)—works best.
Warm water gets rid of oil and grease without hurting the protective treatments. Hot water can shrink the fabric and make it less flame-resistant.
Cold water just doesn’t cut it with heavy industrial dirt. Oils and grease that stick around can actually make FR clothes more dangerous in a fire.
Best wash settings:
- Water at 140°F (60°C)
- Normal wash cycle
- Full water level
- Standard agitation
Wash FR garments separately from regular clothes. You don’t want contamination from non-FR items getting on your protective gear.
If your FR gear is really dirty, pre-treat stains with an approved remover. Some stains may need professional cleaning to keep things safe.
Drying Methods for Preserving FR Properties
How you dry FR clothing matters just as much as how you wash it. Too much heat can mess up the protective features for good.
For tumble drying:
- Stick to low heat (140°F/60°C max)
- Skip high heat cycles
- Take clothes out as soon as they’re dry
- Check the fit after drying
Why air drying is great:
- No risk of heat damage
- Helps your gear last longer
- Keeps your energy bill down
- Prevents shrinkage
Don’t over-dry FR garments. That can make the fabric brittle and less effective. Just get the moisture out without blasting them with heat.
Try to avoid ironing if you can. If you really need to, use the lowest heat and skip the steam to avoid damaging the flame-resistant treatment.
Advanced Maintenance and Longevity Tips
Getting stains out safely and knowing when to repair or toss FR clothing are both important. Industrial laundering has its own tricks to help FR gear last longer and stay protective.
Safe Stain Removal for FR Clothing
Stains on protective clothing need careful treatment. Flammable stuff like oil and grease has to come out before you wear the gear again.
Try these stain removal approaches:
- Rub liquid detergent right into the stain before washing
- Use warm water for tough, dirty spots
- Take stubborn stains to a dry cleaner if needed
Never use bleach, oxidative bleach, or fabric softeners on FR clothing. Those chemicals can break down the flame-resistant treatment and make the gear unsafe.
Watch out for DEET-based insect repellents—they’re flammable and stick to FR fabrics. After using DEET or anything similar, wash your gear thoroughly.
If a garment has stains that just won’t come out and you know they’re flammable, it’s time to retire it. Even if the fabric is still technically flame-resistant, those stains can catch fire.
Handling Industrial Laundering and Special Cases
Industrial washing machines can handle FR workwear better than home machines, especially if the gear is really dirty. They use detergents made for protective clothing and follow strict processes.
Industrial laundries avoid fabric softeners, control the water temperature, and always separate FR gear from regular clothes. They stick to set procedures to protect the garments.
Why industrial laundering works well:
- Can handle laundry for big crews
- Uses specialized FR detergents
- Professional quality control
- Consistent results every time
Some companies actually require industrial laundering for safety reasons. It’s smart to check your company’s policy before deciding how to wash your FR gear.
Industrial laundries can also handle things like chemical contamination or really extreme dirt that just isn’t safe to deal with at home.
When to Repair or Retire Protective Clothing
Workers really need to check their FR workwear often. Catching damage early can make a big difference—worn-out protective clothing just can’t do its job when something goes wrong.
Signs that require immediate retirement:
- Thin or threadbare fabric areas
- Unrepaired holes or tears
- Broken zippers or fasteners
- Frayed or open seams
- Excessive wear or abrasion
If you spot minor damage, you can usually fix it up with FR materials and the right know-how. It’s a good idea to reach out to manufacturers for repair kits or to use professional repair services.
Don’t wear damaged gear while you’re waiting for repairs. It’s just not worth the risk.
Most FR clothing brands offer repair guidelines and sell replacement parts. Always stick to FR materials—using anything else basically ruins the protection the clothing’s supposed to give.
If your gear doesn’t fit right anymore, it’s time to let it go. Baggy or tight clothes can mess with your safety during an arc flash or fire, so don’t chance it.