1. Can I wash these garments at home?
Yes. As long as washing recommendations are followed and the garments are not soiled with contaminants that you would not otherwise want to wash together with your family wash, they may be mixed in wash loads. All garments should be washed before wearing. It is important to remove flammable soils as soon as possible as they can serve as fuel.   

2. Are there any special instructions?
Pre-treat oily, greasy stains and collar and cuff lines with products like "Shout" or "Spray 'N Wash".  Separate light colors from dark colors as staining can occur.  Do not overload the washer.  Garments need room to move in the wash for proper cleaning and good wrinkle recovery.

3. What wash cycle and water temperature should I use?
Wash on a Permanent Press cycle in water temperature up to 140°F.  Use any typical home laundry detergent.  Do not use "soap" as it can leave a film on the fabric.

4. Can I use chlorine bleach?
No.  Chlorine bleach will weaken the fabric and accelerates color loss.  Oxygen bleaches may be used if necessary. Oxygen bleach is found in some home laundry detergents such as Tide with Bleach.

5. What about other laundry aids?
Starch, fabric softener, and other laundry additives can coat the fiber and mask flame resistant performance.  They may also serve as fuel in case of combustion.  Their use is not recommended. If you wish, one softener sheet may be used in the clothes dryer. Liquid softeners should not be used. NOMEX® has a static dissipative fiber in the blend to reduce nuisance static.  A build-up of fabric softener on the fabric decreases wickability that reduces comfort.

6. What about drying?
Tumble dry on the Permanent Press cycle with proper cool down.  Do not over dry.  This fabric is all synthetic.  It should not hold much moisture and should dry fairly quickly. Remove promptly from the dryer and hang or fold.  Do not line dry in direct sunlight.

7. Can I iron or press these garments?
These are not durable press garments and they may appear wrinkled after laundering.  Press with a warm iron on the Permanent Press setting.  If creases in pants are desired, pressing will be required.

8. Can these garments be dry cleaned?
Yes.  Either petroleum solvent or perchloroethylene can be used.  In cases of heavy oily soil, this may be the preferred approach.  With petroleum, it is necessary to ensure that all solvent has been completely dried from the garment.  With both solvents, the garments must be free of redeposition of any kind.

9. How do I repair these garments?
Minor repairs that do not affect the integrity of the garment may be made by either sewing on NOMEX® fabric patches or by darning small holes with NOMEX® thread.

10.   Can the FR properties be removed?
No.  NOMEX® is inherently flame resistant.  This property cannot be degraded or diminished by processing.  However, it is critical to remove greases, oily soils, and other flammable contaminants as they can burn independently and overwhelm the FR properties of the fabric.  If home laundering does not provide adequate cleaning, professional care may be required.

 

The information in this bulletin is based on the results of testing in our laboratory and information from the fabric vendor.  It is provided for your guidance and knowledge.  While it represents up to date information regarding care and maintenance, no warranty is expressed or implied . Revised 3C.