Posts tagged 'wash a safety vest'

We get this question a lot. How do you wash a safety vest?

We have outlined a comprehensive guide on how to wash a safety vest, this will help extend the life and retain the effectiveness of your safety vest. Washing a safety vest is essential to maintain its visibility and functionality. Proper care and cleaning can help extend the lifespan of your safety vest, ensuring you stay safe and visible while working or engaging in outdoor activities. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to wash a safety vest:

Step 1: Begin by Checking the Label

Before washing your safety vest, always check the label for care instructions. Most garments will provide information on the recommended washing method, temperature, and detergent to use. It may also specify whether the vest is machine-washable or if it needs to be hand-washed, and whether it should be tumble dried or air dried.

Step 2: Pre-Treat Stains & Prep for Washing

If your safety vest has any stubborn stains you will want to pre-treat them with a mild detergent or stain remover. You want to be sure the detergent is mild so that it will not cause the fabric to fade. Do not use bleach unless it is specified to do so. Gently rub any stained area with a soft brush or cloth to help work the cleaner into the fabric. This will help remove the stain during the washing process. To prepare your vest for washing you will want to ensure that everything is zipped up, if your vest has Velcro, make sure to close all fasteners, this will prevent the garment from getting torn, frayed or tangled up. If your vest has screen printed or heat pressed logos, it is best to wash the garment inside out in order to preserve the quality of the imprint.

Step 3: Washing Safety Vests

Following the care instructions on the label, wash your safety vest using the appropriate method. If it’s machine-washable, use a gentle cycle with cold or warm water, avoid hot water as it can cause fabric dyes to fade. Cold water is generally the safest option for most safety vests, as it helps preserve the reflective materials and colors. It is always best to wash separately, some high visibility fabrics can be colorfast, and you do not want them to bleed and damage other clothing.

When selecting a detergent, choose one that is gentle and free of bleach, as it can damage the reflective and high visibility materials on the vest. You may also want to use a delicate laundry bag or pillowcase to protect the vest. You should also never use fabric softeners with high visibility apparel, as it can damage the reflective materials.

Step 4: Drying your Safety Vest

After washing, avoid using a dryer to dry your safety vest, as the high heat can damage the reflective materials and cause colors to fade. Instead, lay the vest flat on a clean, dry surface and allow it to air dry. You can also hang the vest on a clothesline, ensuring that the reflective materials do not touch each other to prevent damage. If the label states that it is safe to tumble dry, make sure that you use the delicate and the lowest heat setting on your dryer.

Step 5: Inspect and Safely Store you Safety Vest

Once the vest is completely dry, inspect it for any remaining stains or damage. If necessary, repeat the washing process or spot-treat the stains before storing the vest. When storing, fold the vest gently and keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to maintain its color and visibility. If you find that the color has faded or there are any damaged areas, you should consider replacing the vest.

If you are looking for affordable safety vests, we have a huge selection to choose from. We manufacture our own line of sustainable high visibility vests and safety apparel. Many of these options are made using REPREVE® fabrics and we are also authorized dealers for many high quality and trusted safety apparel brands.

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