Care & Maintenance
Wash it right. Stay protected.
Flame-resistant fabric protects you for the life of the garment — if you wash and store it correctly. Follow these steps and your Summit FR will hold its rating wash after wash.
Inherent blend FR is permanent.
Summit Performance® and Summit Breeze® inherent styles can’t wash out the FR — it’s in the fiber. Care still matters for fabric life and visibility.
Cotton FR needs more care.
FR-treated cotton is durable, but the wrong detergent or bleach can shorten its life. Follow the do’s and don’ts below carefully.
Contamination is the real risk.
Oil, solvent, and flammable contamination on FR clothing is a fire risk regardless of fabric type. Wash promptly, retire damaged gear.
Do
- Wash in warm water (up to 140°F) with a mild, neutral-pH detergent.
- Turn garments inside out to protect logos and Hi-Viz tape.
- Tumble dry low or hang dry. Remove promptly to reduce wrinkles.
- Treat stains as soon as possible with a mild detergent and a soft brush.
- Inspect garments before each use — repair or retire if damaged.
- Store clean and dry, away from direct sunlight and chemicals.
Don't
- No chlorine bleach. Ever. It degrades FR fabric and dyes.
- No fabric softeners or dryer sheets — they leave a flammable residue.
- No starch. Starch is flammable and reduces FR performance.
- No hydrogen peroxide bleaches in heavy concentrations.
- Do not dry-clean unless the garment label explicitly allows it.
- Do not wash with non-FR work clothing that may be contaminated with flammables.
Home laundry
Five steps. Every wash.
Pre-treat
Spot-treat stains with mild detergent. No solvents.
Wash warm
Warm cycle, up to 140°F. Mild detergent. No bleach.
Rinse fully
Run a second rinse to remove all detergent residue.
Dry low
Tumble dry low or hang dry. Avoid high heat.
Inspect
Check seams, knees, cuffs, and Hi-Viz tape.
Industrial laundry
Running a uniform program?
Summit FR garments are industrial-launderable. Provide your laundry service with the following specifications. We’ll share a full wash-formula card on request.
- Maximum wash temperature: 160°F (71°C).
- Neutral or mildly alkaline detergent. No chlorine bleach.
- No hydrogen peroxide above 1% concentration in the bath.
- Final pH of garment after rinse: 6.0–7.5.
- Tunnel finish or tumble dry at low-to-medium heat.
- Retire any garment with abrasion, char, or contamination.
NFPA 2112 reminder
NFPA 2112 garments must be retired when fabric is damaged, contaminated, or no longer meets the standard. Care does not extend the standard — it preserves it.
Need a wash-formula card?
We’ll send a printable formula card you can hand to your industrial laundry service.
Request the cardInspection & retirement
When to retire a garment.
A garment that fails any of the checks below is no longer protective and should be retired immediately.
Charred or melted spots
Any area that has been exposed to flame or high heat must be retired.
Contamination
Oil, solvent, or grease that does not wash out is a fire risk. Retire.
Holes or worn-through fabric
Holes at knees, seat, or elbows compromise FR coverage. Retire or repair with FR-rated patches.
Broken seams or closures
Failed zippers, snaps, or seams expose skin and base layers. Repair or retire.
Damaged Hi-Viz tape
Tape that is cracked, peeling, or no longer reflective fails ANSI 107. Retire.
Faded or unreadable label
If the FR rating label is gone, the garment can’t be verified for compliance. Retire.
FAQ
Quick answers.
How many washes will FR fabric survive?
Summit inherent FR retains its rating for the life of the garment — typically 100+ industrial washes. Cotton FR holds rating for the life of the garment when washed per these instructions.
Can I wash FR with my regular laundry?
Yes, as long as nothing in the load is contaminated with oil, solvents, or other flammables. Avoid fabric softener.
What if a stain won’t come out?
A visible stain is not necessarily a safety issue — but oil or solvent contamination is. If the stain is greasy or chemical, retire the garment.
Can I iron my FR shirt?
Yes, on a warm setting. Do not use spray starch. Steam is fine.
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