Fabric Care Instructions

Military Garments

Avoid detergents that contain optical brighteners and bleach. These can cause working or combat uniforms to be more visible at night. Avoiding detection is critical for operational effectiveness during combat or training exercises. 

Avoid fabric softeners.  The chemicals in fabric softeners interfere with properties such as permethrin (insect repellent) and FR (flame resistant) treatments by reducing effectiveness. 

Wash all uniforms in cold water separately. High temperatures are harsh on fabrics and lead to fading while separating uniforms from the rest of your laundry will prevent dye transfer. 

Tumble dry on low. Should you choose to line-dry your uniforms, do not hang directly in the sun to prevent fading. 

Do not iron. Using starch and ironing uniforms will damage the fabric and hook and loop fields used to secure pockets and insignia. 

Tactical Clothing

Remove all patches, knee/elbow pads and belongings from pockets and brush away any loose dirt or debris from garments.

Choose a mild laundry detergent. Avoid bleach which breaks down tough fibers in tactical clothing. 

Avoid fabric softeners. Some fabric softeners are oil-based which could contribute to flammability. Softeners also begin to coat hook and loop fields, reducing their ability to fasten. 

Turn garments inside out to prevent items from sticking to hook and loop fields and keep them from wearing down.  Wash tactical clothing in cold water on a gentle cycle (unless heavy-duty is required). High temperatures are harsh on fabrics and lead to fading and bleeding.  

Tumble dry on low. High-heat cycles reduce colorfast. Remove clothing from the dryer as soon as it’s finished to avoid wrinkles. Should you choose to line-dry tactical clothing, do not hang directly in the sun to prevent fading. 

Note: If garments are heavily soiled, pre-soak and spot-treat them prior to washing.

Footwear

Suede Boots

Brush suede boots daily with non-metallic bristle brush to remove loose soil and debris. In most cases, a rubber eraser can get rid of smudges and dirt. In the case of muddy boots, let the mud dry first. Use a brush to scrub away excess soil.  If stain remains, mix ½ teaspoon of dish soap with one cup of warm water. Dampen a sponge or cloth with solution and wipe away dirt. Avoid harsh cleaners that are alcohol or oil-based as they will stain. 

Black Leather Boots

Use a damp cloth to wipe off loose dirt along soles and sides of boots. A thick layer of all-purpose leather cleaner applied in circular motions with a cotton cloth is best for removing stubborn stains. Once boots have been hand-dried, buff the leather areas using polish and a soft rag to restore original color, aid in waterproofing, protect from cracking and enhance durability. 

Bags & Packs

Shake off any excess dirt or debris and remove all attachments and belongings from gear. Pre-treat set-in stains with a stain remover or equal parts water and laundry detergent, then use a soft brush or toothbrush to clean spots. Fill a sink or bathtub with mild soap and cool water and scrub gear with a soft bristle brush or cloth. Drain dirty water and refill with cool clean water to rinse gear thoroughly. Squeeze out excess water and air dry upside-down. 

Special Treatments

FR (Fire Resistant) Treatment

Avoid fabric softener and make sure to use detergents free of bleach and hydrogen peroxide. Some fabric softeners are oil-based which could aggravate flammability. Bleach and hydrogen peroxide can destroy FR coatings and discolor fabric.

Turn garments inside-out to prevent streaking from abrasion. Wash in cold water on a gentle cycle.

Tumble dry on low and remove garments from the dryer immediately to prevent wrinkles. 

Note: Never spray DEET / insect repellent on FR garments as it is highly flammable.

DWR (Durable Water Repellent) Treatment

Water resistance in DWR-treated products can deteriorate and lose effectiveness over time due to repeated laundering, abrasion, weather exposure, dirt, grease and sweat. 

Use a mild, additive-free detergent or soap on DWR-coated garments and wash in cold water. Use your washing machine’s complete cycle to maximize the number of rinses.  Repeat rinse cycle as necessary to ensure all soapy residue is removed.

Tumble dry on a low, warm,gentle cycle. 

To reactivate DWR treatment on fabrics, tumble dry your garment another 20 minutes on a warm setting.

Tips

  • Always follow care instructions on labels sewn into products.
  • Avoid dry cleaning whenever possible. Some dry-cleaning solvents are harsh on fabrics and could reduce effectiveness of certain features.
  • Wash items separately from other laundry to avoid color bleeding and fading. 
  • Snip or burn loose threads to avoid tangling and zipper issues. 

California Proposition 65 Warning

WARNING: This product can expose you to lead, a chemical which is known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/

FR Instructions and Information

Pre-Use Information & Safety Considerations

This user information is provided in accordance with NFPA 2112 (2023 Edition), Standard on Flame-Resistant Clothing for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Short-Duration Thermal Exposures from Fire.

(a) Safety Considerations

● Flash Fire Protection: These garments and accessories are intended to provide limited protection against short-duration thermal exposures from flash fires. This includes environments with an ignition of a hydrocarbon atmosphere or environments containing combustible finely divided particles (such as coal dust or grain) above the lower explosive limit.
● Electrical Arc Flash Protection: Where noted, specific garments provide limited protection against momentary electrical arc flashes and related thermal hazards.

(b) Limitations of Use

● Direct Flame/Extended Exposure: This equipment will not protect against extended exposure to direct flame, hot liquids, steam, molten metal splash, or high heat.
● Emergency Operations: This garment is strictly not intended for emergency operations, including structural firefighting, wildland firefighting, or technical rescue.
● Chemical/Hazardous Materials: Provides no protection from radiological agents, biological agents, chemical exposures, or hazardous materials.
● Entanglement Hazard: Do not wear protective gloves when there is a risk of entanglement by moving parts of machinery.
● Employer Responsibility: This garment alone will not protect you from all hazards. The user or employer must conduct a site-specific hazard and risk assessment to determine product suitability. Additional personal protective equipment (PPE)—such as head, eye/face, hand, foot, respiratory, or fall protection—is required for complete protection.

(c) Marking Recommendations & Restrictions

● Additions & Heraldry: Any additional labeling, emblems, shields, patches, embroidery, or silkscreens added by end-users or distributors must strictly meet the requirements of NFPA 2112.
● Non-FR Accents: The use of non-flame-resistant accents should be strictly minimized. If used, they must be relatively small (ideally smaller than a business card), as they can become fuel sources that compromise thermal protection.
● Identification Marking: For handwritten personalization (e.g., name or department), use an industrial, indelible laundry marker on an interior side or separate laundry label. DO NOT mark on or obscure official safety or cleaning instruction labels.

Preparation for Use & Selection

(a) Sizing/Adjustment

● Functional Fit: Select garments and gloves that properly fit your body dimensions to maximize movement and dexterity without restriction. Clothing should not be too tight or too loose.
● Altering Prohibitions: Significant modifications or alterations to the construction of garments or gloves are strictly prohibited, as they can severely reduce the inherent thermal protective qualities.

(b) Recommended Storage Practices

● Environment: Clean garments thoroughly before storage. Store gear in a cool, dry environment completely away from direct sunlight, UV light, ozone fields, high humidity, or sharp objects.
● Material Integrity: Extended ultraviolet (UV) exposure destroys fabric tensile strength and causes irreversible fiber deterioration. Never store wet garments, as this promotes mildew and fungal growth that permanently destroys the material.

Inspection Frequency and Details

● Schedule: Periodically inspect garments and gear upon receipt, at least once a month, and before/after every single shift.
● Wear Zones: Closely inspect thread integrity and physical wear zones (shoulders, elbows, crotch, cuffs, and knees).
● User Inspection Checklist:
1. Rips, tears, punctures, holes, or open fabric zones larger than 1 inch.
2. Significant mechanical fabric abrasion, thinning spots, or fraying.
3. Brittle, stiff, or heavily discolored material indicative of thermal or chemical damage.
4. Charring from previous high-heat or flash fire events.
5. Hardware failure, including broken zippers, missing snaps, or malfunctioning hooks/loops.

Donning and Doffing Procedures

● Garments: To be worn properly, front closures (zippers, snaps, buttons) must be fully engaged, sleeves rolled down with cuffs closed, and shirt tails fully tucked into the trousers.
● Gloves: Pull gloves fully and snugly over the hands so that the interface area at the wrist is completely covered. Do not wear them in combination with other unauthorized gloves or liners, as this may degrade the garment's original flame-resistant (FR) rating. Doff gloves cleanly by grasping the fingertips and pulling away from the hand.

Proper Use Consistent with NFPA 2113

● Reference Compliance: For detailed oversight concerning product selection, environmental matching, and complete user field maintenance protocols, please cross-reference NFPA 2113, Standard on Selection, Care, Use, and Maintenance of Flame-Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Short-Duration Thermal Exposures from Fire.

Maintenance and Cleaning

It is essential to keep flame-resistant products clean. Residual soils—especially flammable petroleum-based contaminants—mask fabric performance, degrade flame resistance, and act as a fuel source that causes garments to continue burning after an incident.

(a) Cleaning Instructions and Precautions

● NO Dry Cleaning: Avoid dry cleaning solvents unless specified, as they may damage performance characteristics.
● NO Chlorine Bleach: Never use chlorine bleach (NaOCl) or detergents containing hydrogen peroxide under any condition. This permanently destroys the flame-resistant properties and material strength.
● NO Fabric Softeners: Avoid oil-based fabric softeners, dryer sheets, and starch, which coat fibers and drastically increase flammability.

Comprehensive Laundering Protocols

● Garments (Shirts/Pants): Turn garments inside out; wash separately from standard personal laundry. Machine wash using warm water (Max 120°F / 49°C to prevent shrinkage). Add 1 cup (8 oz.) of standard heavy-duty laundry detergent per load (1.5 cups for hard water). Run normal cycle with a double rinse to strip out residual soap. Tumble dry on low heat and remove promptly. Do not use automatic dryers if the garment features reflective trim. Warm iron if needed.
● Engineered Blend Gloves: Machine wash warm not to exceed 104°F / 40°C max using ~5 lbs. of commercial laundry soap per 100 lbs. of gloves. Run a 20-minute cycle, warm rinse, and a final cold rinse. Tumble dry for 35 minutes max (temp not to exceed 155°F / 70°C). DO NOT IRON.
● Leather Gloves: DO NOT MACHINE WASH OR DRY CLEAN. Gently wipe clean with a damp cloth only. Dry thoroughly with a clean, soft cloth and air dry away from direct heat sources. DO NOT IRON.

Biohazard Contamination

● Blood or Body Fluids: Do not launder bio-contaminated items at home; transport in leak-proof bags. Personnel handling items must wear full PPE. Wash separately in front-loading industrial washers at 105°F / 40°C for 25 minutes minimum using multi-rinse cycles. Avoid specialty disinfectants unless proven safe for FR fabrics.

(b) Maintenance Criteria and Methods of Repair

● Garments: Launder the garment fully before any repairs. All structural repairs must be performed by an authorized factory service provider using matching fabric, thread, and hardware configurations commensurate with the original construction. Unauthorized repairs void all safety warranties and increase injury risks.
● Gloves: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REPAIR. Patching or structural mending of gloves is strictly prohibited.

Retirement and Disposal Criteria

Products do not have an indefinite useful service life. Items must be permanently retired from service if:
● They are contaminated with dangerous hazardous materials or caustic solvents that cannot safely undergo decontamination.
● A rip, tear, or opening exceeds 1 inch or damage is too extensive to structurally fix.
● The material exhibits irreversible mechanical thinning, heat charring, or extreme stiffness from light exposure.
Disposal Note: Retired flame-resistant products must be physically destroyed so they cannot be accidentally re-worn. It is recommended to cut the clothing or items into unusable pieces and discard them in accordance with local environmental regulations.