Tips and Tricks for Washing High-Visibility Clothing

Fluorescent, reflective personal protective garments are essential for any industry professional working in a hazardous environment. Since these jobs are more rugged than an office gig, the protective clothing you rely on can get dirty quickly. A dirty work shirt or vest can actually put the wearer in more danger! Here are some tips and tricks for washing high-visibility clothing to ensure your gear is always in tip-top shape.

Importance of Clean Hi-Vis Clothing

Unwashed hi-vis gear is dangerous and puts you in increased danger while working on-site, whether near roadways or in remote locations. Most obviously, dirt can cover up important reflective strips, reducing your clothing’s visibility. Over time, wear and tear can dull the fluorescent color too. However, there are a few other problems that happen when you don’t clean your PPE.

There’s a high probability that your exposure to various chemicals and hazardous materials can leave residue on your clothing. If you don’t remove this filth, these materials could harm you in the future. Additionally, dirty high-visibility clothing degrades faster and requires replacement more often.

Standard Protocol: Reverse & Cold Wash

Since high-visibility garments are tough, they’re perfectly suitable for machine washing (unless the tag specifies otherwise). As with any clothing item that’s not a simple cotton shirt or pair of jeans, follow standard protocol: reverse your item and use a cold or delicate wash setting. Flipping your shirt or vest inside out prevents reflective strips from being damaged. The cold wash prevents the fluorescent fabric from dulling and the entire item from shrinking. Additionally, you should always use a tumble-dry setting or air-dry method to dry your clothing.

Hi-Vis Specific Protocol: Separate

Hi-vis clothing is made with unique fabrics and materials and, as such, requires separation while washing. This prevents features such as reflective strips and markings, Velcro components, and fluorescent fabrics from interacting with your other clothes and vice versa. Plus, the dirt and filth on your work gear, combined with a large load, can cause issues for your machine. We highly recommend that you separate out all other clothing types, even other kinds of PPE, when cleaning hi-vis items.

Follow these tips and tricks for washing high-visibility clothing to ensure your essential work gear is functional and 100 percent protective. If you’re in the market for new work garments, check out the custom hi-vis clothing we offer here at SafetyShirtz.