Though you may think it’s just another part of your work uniform, high-visibility or hi-vis clothing is also a key safety tool that protects you in low-visibility, high-risk environments. You must maintain its vibrant glow and reflective properties carefully for safety and compliance with regulations. However, you may be unknowingly damaging your hi-vis workwear during the cleaning process.
From using the wrong detergents to practicing improper drying techniques, read along to discover common mistakes to avoid when cleaning hi-vis clothing. Once you understand proper cleaning practices, you’ll be able to keep your gear in top-notch condition for the long haul.
The Importance of Cleaning Hi-Vis Clothing
Hi-vis clothing relies on fluorescent colors and retroreflective materials to increase visibility. Over time, exposure to dirt, dust, and general wear can dull these features and compromise the garment’s effectiveness. Improper washing methods or care can accelerate this deterioration, making cleaning and maintenance essential.
Common Cleaning Mistakes To Avoid
Overlooking the Care Label Instructions
The care label stitched inside your hi-vis clothing isn’t just there for show. It provides specific guidelines for washing, drying, and ironing. Ignoring these labels can lead to faded colors, degraded reflective strips, or shrunken fabrics.
What You Should Do
Always read and follow the garment’s care label. These instructions are tailored to the specific fabric, reflective materials, and dyes used in your high-visibility clothing. For example, if the tag tells you not to use bleach when cleaning your gear, take it seriously!
Using Harsh Detergents
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when cleaning hi-vis clothing is using strong detergents or fabric softeners, as these harsh ingredients can break down reflective materials and fluorescent dyes. These products are especially bad for retroreflective tapes and can result in a severe reduction in their reflective properties.
What You Should Do
Use mild, nonabrasive detergents that are free of bleach, phosphates, and optical brighteners. Detergents specifically designed for delicate fabrics or materials with reflective properties are even better.
Washing Hi-Vis Clothes With the Regular Laundry
Throwing your hi-vis clothing in the same load as your casual clothes is a surefire way to ruin them. Denim, zippers, and coarse fabrics can cause abrasions on the reflective tape and fluorescent materials, reducing their effectiveness.
What You Should Do
Always wash your hi-vis clothing on its own. This smart washing step prevents physical damage and ensures the detergent’s cleaning power is focused on removing tough dirt and stains specific to workwear environments.
Not Paying Special Attention to Custom Hi-Vis Clothing
Since they often feature additional patches, logos, or embroidery that may be sensitive, custom hi-vis jackets and other clothing require extra attention. Excessive laundering can wear down the custom elements; plus, ignoring specific instructions for custom features may damage them.
What You Should Do
Avoid washing custom gear too frequently, and take care to follow all instructions for custom features. To minimize abrasion on designs, turn your garments inside out when washing and use cold water on a gentle cycle to protect the fabric and customizations.
Using High Water Temperatures
Excessively hot water can fade vibrant colors and cause retroreflective materials to peel or curl. Fluorescent dyes are especially heat-sensitive and can lose their brightness with repeated exposure to high temperatures.
What You Should Do
As is recommended on most hi-vis care labels, stick to lukewarm or cool water. By washing with cool water, you’ll protect the fabric and reflective elements while removing pesky dirt and grime.
Overloading the Washing Machine
Stuffing the washing machine to its capacity might seem efficient, but it can prevent your hi-vis clothing from being properly cleaned. These washing habits also increase friction between garments, leading to wear and tear on reflective surfaces.
What You Should Do
Wash smaller loads to allow garments to move freely within the washing machine. This way, the detergent and water evenly reach all parts of the fabric.
Neglecting Pretreatment
Hi-vis clothing often faces stubborn stains such as grease, mud, and chemicals. Washing without pretreating stains can leave residue behind, leading to discoloration and reduced visibility.
What You Should Do
Pretreat heavy stains with a mild stain remover or a spot-cleaning solution. Allow the product to soak for a few minutes before washing, but avoid using strong chemicals that can damage the fabric.
Drying Hi-Vis Clothing the Right Way
Once you’ve washed your high-visibility clothing properly, the drying method is just as important. If you want to dry your gear without damaging it, here’s what not to do.
Using High Heat in a Tumble Dryer
Drying hi-vis clothing on high heat can cause the materials to shrink or the reflective strips to peel off. Over time, these drying habits drastically reduce the garment’s lifespan.
What You Should Do
When possible, air-dry your hi-vis clothing. If you must use a dryer, choose the lowest heat setting. Remove the clothing while it’s still slightly damp to prevent overdrying.
Hanging in Direct Sunlight
Excessive exposure to UV light can fade the vibrant fluorescent colors, undermining the safety function of your hi-vis clothing.
What You Should Do
Hang your hi-vis clothing indoors or in shaded areas to dry. The minimal light will encourage drying while protecting the bright colors and longevity of the reflective tape.
Hi-Vis Clothing Maintenance
- Regular inspections: After cleaning, always inspect your hi-vis clothing for damage like peeling tape, faded colors, or worn-out fabric. If any items no longer meet safety standards, replace them immediately.
- Avoid ironing reflective areas: Heat from irons can severely damage retroreflective materials. If you must iron your gear, avoid direct contact with reflective areas, or use a low-heat setting with a pressing cloth.
- Prioritize storage: To protect it from discoloration or fading, store your hi-vis clothing in a clean, dry area away from direct sunlight.
Keep Your Gear Bright and Effective
Your hi-vis clothing is essential to your safety on the job, so proper cleaning and care is nonnegotiable. By avoiding common mistakes when cleaning hi-vis gear, you can extend the lifespan of your garments, comply with safety standards, and protect yourself in high-risk environments.
Ready to take workplace safety to the next level? Explore our wide collection of hi-vis gear today.
USD $