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Knowing how to wash hi-vis clothing is essential to keeping its high-visibility qualities intact. Hi-vis clothing, designed with fluorescent fabrics and reflective strips, plays an important role in enhancing safety by ensuring you stay visible in low-light or hazardous environments.
However improper washing can dull its brightness and reduce its reflective properties, diminishing its effectiveness over time.
In short, to keep hi-vis clothing effective, it’s important to wash it gently, avoiding harsh detergents or high temperatures that can damage fluorescent and reflective materials. Pre-treat stains with mild solutions, wash on a gentle cycle with non-bleach detergent, and air dry out of direct sunlight.
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Maintaining the visibility and longevity of your hi-vis clothing depends on washing it correctly. Different elements, like fluorescent fabrics and reflective strips, require gentle handling to avoid fading, peeling, or loss of brightness. This step-by-step guide provides everything you need to safely pre-treat, wash, and dry hi-vis clothing, ensuring it stays effective and compliant with safety standards.
Start by gently pre-treating any stains with a mild stain remover or diluted detergent. Apply the solution directly to the stained area and let it sit for a few minutes to loosen dirt or grease. Avoid using bleach or harsh chemicals, as they can damage the fluorescent fabric and reflective tape, reducing the visibility and effectiveness of the clothing. Gently rub the stain with a soft cloth or sponge, then rinse with cool water.
Use a gentle, cold water cycle (30°C or lower) to prevent fading and maintain the hi-vis material’s brightness. High temperatures can cause fabric colours to dull and reduce the lifespan of reflective materials.
Choose a mild, non-bleach detergent specifically designed for coloured fabrics. Harsh chemicals can strip the colour from fluorescent fabrics and weaken reflective strips, so it’s best to use a gentle formula that preserves the integrity of the hi-vis material. Avoid fabric softeners, as these can coat the fabric, reducing its visibility.
For hi-vis clothing with highly reflective or delicate elements, hand washing is often the safest option. Use a small amount of mild detergent in cool water, then gently agitate the fabric by hand, focusing on any areas with visible dirt or stains. Avoid scrubbing too hard on reflective strips to prevent peeling or damage. Rinse thoroughly with cool water to remove all detergent, then squeeze out excess water without wringing the fabric.
Lay the clothing flat or hang it on a clothesline in a shaded area to air dry. Direct sunlight can fade fluorescent fabrics and affect the lifespan of reflective materials, so drying in a shaded, well-ventilated space is the best course of action here.
Avoid using tumble dryers, as the high heat can damage both the fabric and reflective elements, causing shrinkage or peeling. Instead, let the garment air dry naturally to help maintain its form, colour, and reflective properties. If you need to speed up the drying process, use a fan.
Understanding how to care for specific hi-vis materials helps maintain their safety properties and can extend their lifespan
Fluorescent fabrics, often bright yellow, orange, or lime, rely on UV-sensitive pigments that provide high visibility in daylight. However, they’re prone to fading with heat or harsh washing.
Always wash these fabrics in cool water on a gentle cycle, and avoid using strong detergents or bleach, which can weaken the colour. To prevent UV damage, air dry these items in a shaded area rather than direct sunlight, which can further dull the colour over time.
Reflective elements are designed to reflect light, making the wearer visible in low-light conditions. These materials are sensitive to friction, high temperatures, and strong chemicals.
To avoid peeling or cracking, opt for cold water and a delicate wash setting. Refrain from using bleach or fabric softeners, as they can degrade the reflective coating.
For drying, air dry on a flat surface or hang in the shade, as the heat from tumble drying can damage the reflective coating.
Some hi-vis garments combine fluorescent fabric and reflective strips to maximise visibility. Caring for these requires balancing the needs of both materials.
To prevent damage, hand washing in cool water is often the safest option. Use a mild detergent and avoid wringing or scrubbing the fabric harshly, as this can harm the reflective surfaces and reduce the brightness of the fluorescent fabric.
When drying, hang in a shaded, ventilated area to avoid fading and protect the reflective coating.
Proper washing frequency is essential to ensure hi-vis clothing remains effective. Regular washing helps keep the fabric bright and reflective, but over-washing can accelerate wear.
For hi-vis clothing worn daily in clean environments, washing once a week is usually enough to remove light dirt and maintain brightness. However, if the clothing appears overly dirty or loses its reflective quality sooner, a midweek wash can help maintain visibility. Washing on a weekly schedule keeps grime buildup from reducing the fabric’s vibrancy.
When hi-vis clothing is exposed to heavy dirt, oils, chemicals, or other contaminants, it’s best to wash it as soon as possible. Contaminants can dull or damage fluorescent and reflective materials, reducing visibility. A prompt wash helps remove these substances before they penetrate too deeply into the fabric or reflective strips.
To extend the lifespan of your hi-vis clothing and make sure it meets all safety regulations, follow these care tips:
Strong detergents, bleach, and fabric softeners can damage the fluorescent and reflective materials. Instead, choose a gentle, non-bleach detergent to prevent fading and preserve brightness. Bleach weakens the fibres and can cause colours to dull and reflective strips to lose their coating.
Washing hi-vis clothing separately or with similar colours prevents colour transfer, which can dull the colour of the fabric. This is especially important for maintaining the distinctive bright colours that make hi-vis clothing effective. Even minor dye transfer can reduce visibility, so avoid washing with dark or heavily dyed items.
Turn hi-vis garments inside out before washing to minimise friction on reflective strips and fluorescent fabric. This simple step helps reduce wear, and keeps reflective strips from peeling or cracking. Inside-out washing also shields reflective coatings from direct contact with other fabrics, protecting them from damage.
Hi-vis clothing loses its effectiveness over time due to wear, washing, and exposure to the elements. Here’s how to know when it’s time to replace your gear:
Hi-vis clothing should be bright and easy to spot in daylight. If the colours have faded significantly, the piece of clothing no longer provides adequate visibility and should be replaced.
Recommended Article: UK Hi Vis Regulations for Workplace Safety
Reflective strips play a crucial role in low-light visibility. If they are peeling, cracked, or worn down, they can’t reflect light properly. Replace the garment when reflective elements show these signs of damage.
If the fabric feels overly thin, stretched, or frayed, it might not provide the durability needed for work environments.
For tough stains, apply a mild stain remover or diluted detergent directly to the area, allowing it to sit for 5-10 minutes before washing. Use a soft cloth or sponge to gently work the stain remover into the fabric without scrubbing too hard, as this can damage reflective elements. Avoid bleach, which can reduce brightness and degrade reflective strips.
Generally, ironing is discouraged for hi-vis clothing, as heat can damage both fluorescent and reflective materials. If ironing is necessary, use a low heat setting, and place a cloth over the garment to protect the fabric. Never iron directly over reflective strips, as heat can cause peeling or cracking, reducing their effectiveness.
Unfortunately, once hi-vis fabrics fade, they can’t be restored to their original brightness. Fluorescent materials and reflective strips are designed to provide high visibility, so if they become faded or dull, the safest choice is to replace it. Regular care, such as washing on a gentle cycle and drying away from direct sunlight, helps slow fading over time.
Proper care for hi-vis clothing is essential for maintaining its effectiveness in keeping workers visible and safe. By following a few simple steps - such as pre-treating stains gently, washing on a cold cycle with mild detergent, and avoiding heat when drying - you can significantly extend the lifespan of your hi-vis gear.
If you’d like tailored advice or need help selecting high-quality hi-vis gear, book a free Workwear and PPE Consultation or check out our collection of hi-vis workwear to keep your team safe and compliant.
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