Laundering Procedures and Detergent Selection
topic
Structural firefighting clothing laundering requires manufacturer-specified procedures typically using warm water at 40 to 60 degrees Celsius with liquid detergents compatible with FR finishes and moisture barrier membranes, avoiding fabric softeners and bleach that degrade FR and membrane performance, with dedicated washers for PPE only preventing cross-contamination with other clothing, and tumble drying at low temperature or line drying preventing thermal damage to moisture barriers and thermal liners.
Role
Maintains clothing performance and hygiene through proper laundering that removes contaminants and soil without degrading the protective properties that would be compromised by inappropriate laundering temperatures, chemical incompatibility with FR finishes, or mechanical damage from improper washing programs, with adherence to manufacturer laundering instructions being the care practice most directly governing whether clothing performance is maintained or degraded by the cleaning process.