Does Electric Arc Protective Flame Retardant Fabric Need to Be Cleaned?

1. Why is it necessary to clean Arc Protective Flame Retardant Fabric?

Maintaining Protective Performance:
Dirt is Fuel: Contaminants such as oil, chemicals, and dust picked up at work can be flammable. During an arc blast, these dirt items will be the first to ignite, intensifying the combustion and weakening the flame retardant properties of the fabric.

Clogging Fiber Gaps: Dirt can clog the tiny spaces between fabric fibers, interfering with the inherent "carbonization expansion" effect when exposed to high temperatures, thereby reducing its ability to insulate heat and block flames.

Ensuring Wearer Safety: Clean flame-retardant clothing ensures that when an arc fault occurs, it carbonizes at the designed rate and forms a solid carbon layer, effectively insulating against high temperatures and buying valuable time for escape.

Extending Garment Life: Proper cleaning removes corrosive chemicals and dirt, preventing them from degrading fabric fibers, thereby extending the life of the garment.

Occupational Hygiene and Comfort: Keeping clothing clean is essential for the wearer's occupational health.

2. How to properly clean arc-proof flame-retardant fabrics? (Core principles)

(1). Home/hand washing (if allowed)

Separate washing: must be washed completely separately from other clothes, especially ordinary clothes such as chemical fiber, nylon, down, etc. The fibers of these ordinary clothes and the plastic particles shed during washing will contaminate the flame-retardant clothing, seriously affecting its protective performance.

Use mild detergent: Use neutral or specially designed detergents for flame-retardant clothing.
Absolutely prohibited: Chlorine bleach (such as 84 disinfectant): will seriously damage the flame-retardant structure of the fiber.
Phosphorus-containing laundry detergent: Phosphorus residues may affect performance.
Fabric softener: Softener will form a flammable waxy film on the fiber surface, which is one of the most fatal mistakes. It will make clothes flammable like a combustion accelerator.
Biological enzyme laundry detergent: Some enzymes may degrade the fiber.
Water temperature and method:
Use warm or cold water (usually recommended below 60°C).
Wash on a gentle cycle and avoid strong friction.

Rinse and dry:
Be sure to rinse thoroughly to ensure that there is no detergent residue.
Hanging to dry naturally is the first choice. Avoid exposure to the sun.

(2). Industrial cleaning (more recommended, especially for high-risk industries)

For flame-retardant clothing in industries such as power, petrochemicals, etc., it is strongly recommended to have it cleaned uniformly by a professional industrial laundry. They have:
Professional equipment and processes.
Use certified flame-retardant clothing detergents.
Effective separation and washing to avoid cross-contamination.
Professional drying and finishing procedures.

(3). Drying and ironing

Drying:
Natural air drying is the safest method.
If using a dryer, use low temperature or no heat. High temperature will damage the fiber.
Ironing:
If ironing is necessary, use low temperature steam ironing.
Do not use high temperature dry ironing.

3. Washing frequency and precautions

When to wash: Wash immediately if visible stains appear, if contaminated by chemicals, or if there is an odor. Even if it does not look dirty, it should be washed regularly (such as weekly or according to the frequency of use).

Pretreatment: For heavy stains, spot pre-treat with a soft brush and a small amount of neutral detergent before cleaning. Avoid using harsh stain removers or solvents.

Repair and Retirement: After cleaning, inspect the garment for tears, wear, or thinning. Any damage will significantly reduce its protective properties, and such garments should be immediately retired and replaced.