High visibility safety jackets, vests, and sweatshirts protect workers in high traffic or dimly lit environments. The bright colors and reflective tape used to make hi-vis safety gear make the wearer stand out from the environment. Primarily made from polyester, fluorescent dyes, and retro-reflective materials, high visibility clothing requires attentive care to maintain its luminance and brightness.
Why is it Important to Know How to Wash a Safety Vest?
High-visibility clothing must be washed correctly, or its colors begin to fade. Once safety apparel loses its bright, reflective properties, it is no longer safe to use. Knowing how to wash a polyester jacket helps keep fluorescent colors bright and prevents dirt from grinding down the microscopic glass beads that give retroreflective tape its reflective properties.
How Long Does Hi-Vis Safety Gear Last?
High-vis safety apparel will slowly lose its brightness and reflective qualities even with proper care. Check the label of your safety gear to see how many times you can wash it before it needs replacing. For instance, a hi-vis safety vest might need replacing after 25 washes, while a sturdier safety reflective jacket might be good for fifty washes. Always read the care label and track how often safety gear is washed.
How to Wash a Polyester Jacket with Retroreflective Tape
Most high visibility clothing is 100% polyester or a poly/cotton blend. Polyester is a synthetic material that can be damaged by high heat. Read the instructions on the care label of your safety gear, and follow them carefully. If any care instructions differ from the advice given here, go with the care label advice. Different hi-vis vests, jackets, and sweatshirts have slightly different properties, which the care label will address.
Before washing any safety gear, fully empty all pockets, giving the garment a good shake to get dirt out of small spaces. Close all zippers and turn the garment inside-out to protect the reflective outer shell.
Most safety gear can be machine washed if you take the following steps:
-
Wash high visibility clothing at the temperature recommended on the label. If you cannot read the label, your safest option is to use the warm setting, which will prevent shrinkage.
-
Use a gentle detergent designed to remove odor and stains from polyester fabrics. If your safety gear is DWR-coated, use either the mildest detergent available or one designed for use with water-repellent fabric. Do not use bleach or softeners.
-
Do not machine wash high-visibility clothing with rough fabrics like denim, which can damage the adhesive holding reflective stripes in place.
If you prefer to hand-wash safety jackets, follow these instructions:
-
Use cold water instead of warm water.
-
Mix the detergent into the water before washing clothing.
-
Soak the garment for twenty to thirty minutes.
-
Rub gently with your hands or a light brush, paying extra attention to the collar, which tends to attract dirt.
-
Rinse the gear thoroughly after washing to remove any residual detergent.
-
Line dry.
Drying Safety Apparel
Only machine dry hi-vis safety gear if the garment tag says you can do so. When machine-drying, use the lowest possible heat setting or no heat at all. This protects the adhesive that bonds the reflective stripes to the material. Remove the garment as soon as the drying cycle is over and hang it to avoid creases.
If you’re unsure whether or not a high-visibility safety jacket should be machine dried, line dry the garment instead.
Examples of Hi-Viz Safety Apparel
Reflective safety gear includes a range of apparel. The exact type of gear you’ll need depends on your work environment and ANSI high-visibility standards. In addition to improving employee safety, hi-vis safety apparel is easily customized with brand logos and employee names. Customized safety jackets make excellent additions to your branded work uniform --- hi-vis gear is designed to attract attention, so why not use the eye-catching nature of safety jackets to improve your brand awareness?
Popular choices for customized high-visibility clothing include:
Hi-Vis Vest
High-Visibility Safety Jackets
High-Vis Sweatshirts