Caring for your workwear can seem confusing. Dry clean only, cold water wash, hand wash only – what does this all mean? How do I know how to wash a garment if the care label is confusing or missing?
Here’s the “quick-reference” guide on how to wash your garments – for when you just don’t know how.
Please note that garment tags should be followed when applicable. There may be risks of damage that can cause serious injuries due to workplace hazards.
Flame Resistant Garments
Flame resistant (formerly know as “fire retardant”) fabrics are specially designed and tested to withstand flash fires, as well as to self extinguish when exposed to open flame. Garments will still burn with time, but will take longer and will be resistant to melting.
Common fabric types for FR garments include:
- FR Treated 100% Cotton
- “88/12” – 88% Cotton, 12% Nylon
- Inherent blends containing modacrylic or aramid
- Nomex
Modern materials are generally designed to withstand industrial washing for the lifetime of the garment while retaining flame resistant characteristics that meet their tested certifications. This means that as long as you have a functional garment, you’ve got proven certified job site protection.
Please note: Formerly used FR spray-on treatments are not currently approved by the CSA for use on Canadian job sites due to inherent risks of application. Your FR garments purchased through bigboyworkwear.ca will not wash out rapidly under appropriate washing conditions. All of our garments are approved for industrial wash, dry cleaning, and at-home launder (when done correctly). Garments that are heavily soiled should be brought to a dry cleaner for a solvent-based wash, if unable to be appropriately cleaned at home. Garments with significant tears must be mended with FR rated fabrics and thread, or promptly replaced. We can assess a garment for repairs at any Direct Workwear location and quote you for in-house repairs, if desired.
That being said, there are ways to damage these fibres and ruin your hazard protection.
How to wreck your FR garments (and create a safety hazard):
- Use chlorine bleach – Chlorine bleach degrades (weakens) fibres rapidly, removes dye from the garment, and breaks down any chemically treated materials. Bleach should be avoided on all workwear garments for garment longevity. Save it for your towels, and it might just save you one day.
- Use fabric scent beads or liquid softeners – These materials are designed to introduce scent and starch into your clothing. Softeners may also leave a thin layer of waxy film on your garment. Starches and softening agents are often highly flammable, primarily when added to natural fibres. Cotton is a natural fibre, cotton is great at not melting and being resistant to heat. Cotton plus flammable material? Turn yourself into a human candle wick. Plus, fabric additives can also trap in additional sweat and bacteria into your clothes that become resistant to standard washing. If your clothes smell nasty even after washing, add 1/4 cup of white vinegar to the “softener” section of your detergent drawer. You can also safely use “laundry sanitizers”, which have become quite popular as of the last year.
- Using hot water all the time – Hot water is known to shrink natural fibres such as cotton. With the advances in detergent technology, many detergents dissolve and clean just as well with cooler water temperatures. Hot water can lead to a better clean, but it must be monitored as every garment can behave differently. We can never guarantee that a garment won’t shrink, but we can confirm that many garments become victims of the laundromat.
- Using the dryer – I get it, who wants to air dry anything. Let alone at camp, in the winter time, with no air flow…. and you only have two coveralls to alternate between. As mentioned above, heat can be the enemy. There is always risk of shrinkage with FR materials in the dryer. Not only that, but dryers can also help wear through your clothes faster. Remember the lint tray? Where do you think that fluff comes from? If you absolutely must use the dryer, stick to a low setting and monitor it every 15 minutes during the cycle. Take it out as soon as it’s dry, or almost dry – then hang it up overnight.
- Overload your machine – This is true for everything, not just FR. Overloading your washer and dryer is horrible for your clothes and the machine. Washing machines become extremely heavy when filled with water, especially top loaders. This can cause premature wear to the internals, possibly even causing a few repair bills. Not only that, but it prevents them from being able to do their job properly. Clothes need free space to “swish” or be agitated through the water, allowing the soap to properly penetrate the fibres. Without the swish, extra detergent gets stuck to your “clean” clothes, and significantly more stains & dirt remain behind. Same idea with your dryer, less air flow leads to damp & icky clothes. Don’t kill your machines, split up your loads or wash more frequently.
- Use too much detergent – Not just FR, everyone does this. You don’t need as much soap as you think you do, you just need to use the right detergent for the right amount of clothes. Assuming you have reduced your load size, you can reduce your detergent amount. The average load in a HE machine only requires about 2-3 tablespoons of concentrated liquid detergent. For a top loader, you likely only need up until the first “fill-line” of your favourite detergent.
- Use the wrong detergent – Don’t fall for marketing tactics. Don’t shop by scent. Choose detergents with natural enzymes to break up oils & stains. Looking for “sport” detergents is often a great way to quickly find a stain-beating best friend. Powder detergents designed for cold water are also generally agreed to be powerful detergents. Just avoid anything with chlorine bleach, that’s no bueno.
Got it? Let’s summarize that again:
- No chlorine bleach.
- No additives like scent beads or fabric softeners (you too dryer sheets).
- Vinegar or laundry sanitizer is OK for stinky clothes.
- Try to wash with cold water or you might shrink your clothes.
- Avoid the dryer, tumble on low in short bursts if you absolutely must.
- Don’t overload your machine. 3/4 full is the most it ever should be, 1/2 is best for heavily soiled garments.
- Buy a better detergent and use less of it. You spent enough on clothes, the upkeep shouldn’t be expensive too.
- Dry cleaning is alright at the end of the season to deep clean winter gear. You don’t need it unless your clothes are absolutely caked in oily or greasy substances that won’t wash out.
Building an FR wardrobe can be costly. Let us help you save on your initial investment and make your clothes last.
Further questions? Call us at 780-988-2967 during business hours, we’re always happy to take your call.
