How should flame-resistant clothing be maintained?

Flame-resistant clothing is an essential last line of defense against fire hazards. Whether it is made of self-extinguishing fabrics or regular materials that have a been chemically treated, taking proper care of this clothing will ensure that it won't lose its flame-resistant properties and will continue to provide adequate protection.

The most important step to maintaining flame-resistant clothing is ensuring that it is properly laundered. Some companies will do this by hiring a cleaning service to clean all of their flame-resistant apparel. Others will task their employees with washing their own flame-resistant clothing.

In the latter case, it's important to make sure that employees are trained on how to properly care for their flame-resistant apparel.

(Find out Why Comfortable Flame-Resistant, High-Visibility Safety Apparel Is Important)

Of course, everyone should read the tag on the clothing and follow the washing instructions printed on it. But generally speaking, the following should be avoided since they can either degrade the material's flame resistance or leave behind a flammable residue:

• Bleach
• Peroxides
• Fabric softeners
• Starches

Liquid detergents are typically recommended over powdered variants.

With proper washing, this protective clothing can retain its flame resistant properties and give the user the protection and peace of mind they need.