Wash It Right: Extending the Life of Your FR Garments
FR protection should last the life of the garment — but only if you wash it correctly. Common mistakes, what to avoid, and the simple rules that work.
July 28, 2025 · 4 min read · by Summit Work Apparel®
FR garments cost more than regular workwear — so the obvious question is how to make them last. The answer is short: wash them like the label says, avoid five common mistakes, and retire them when the spec says retire them.
The five big mistakes
- Chlorine bleach. It degrades both inherent and treated FR fabric and embrittles the fiber over time.
- Fabric softener. It leaves a thin flammable residue on the fiber that interferes with FR performance.
- Starch. Starch is flammable on its own and reduces the FR rating of the garment.
- Washing FR with contaminated non-FR clothing. Hydrocarbon residue transfers. Wash FR in its own load, or at minimum with other clean FR.
- Ignoring damage. A small hole, a worn-through knee, a broken zipper — retire the garment. It cannot protect what it does not cover.
The simple rules that work
- Wash in warm water (up to 140°F) with a mild, neutral-pH detergent.
- Turn the garment inside out to protect reflective tape and logos.
- Tumble dry low or hang dry. Remove from the dryer promptly.
- Treat stains as soon as possible with a mild detergent and a soft brush.
- Store clean and dry, away from direct sunlight and chemicals.
Home laundry vs industrial laundry
Both work. Industrial laundry gives you tighter control over wash chemistry and a documented cycle count — important for treated FR where cycle counts matter for the protection rating. Home laundry is fine for inherent FR and well within the wash-cycle envelope for treated FR if you keep the rules above.
For the full care guide, including industrial laundry best practices and a printable checklist for crew leads, see the FR Garment Care section.
