Quick Answer
Wash FR clothing inside out, in its own load, with a liquid detergent. Normal water is fine; go up to 140°F for heavy soil. Skip chlorine bleach, fabric softener and starch, then tumble dry low. Oil or grease that won't wash out is fuel: send it to an industrial laundry or retire the garment.
FR Laundry Do's and Don'ts
| Step | Do | Don't |
|---|---|---|
| Load | Inside out, FR only | Mix with lint-shedding towels |
| Water | Normal setting; up to 140°F for heavy soil | Overload the washer |
| Stains | Pretreat with full-strength liquid detergent | Chlorine bleach or bleach stain removers |
| Additives | Detergent only | Fabric softener, dryer sheets, starch |
| Hard water | Add a water conditioner | Bar or fatty soaps |
| Dry | Tumble low, pull it out when dry | Over-dry (knits shrink) |
FAQ
Can I use bleach on FR clothing?
Never chlorine bleach. Westex allows oxygen bleach on its fabrics, but Bulwark says no hydrogen peroxide. Follow the care label.
Does washing wear out FR protection?
Not when you follow the label. Wear, damage and soil end its life; see when to replace FR clothing and inherent vs treated FR.
Can I wash FR clothes at home?
Yes, for everyday dirt. Heavy, ground-in oil or hazardous contamination needs an industrial laundry.
Replace worn pieces: FR shirts, FR jeans and pants, all FR clothing, or through our company FR programs.