washing firesuit ?

Can I wash my sfi 20 firesuit its starting to smell like a goat? Or are they treated with a flame retardant that they cant be washed?

 

I have mine dry cleaned....smell just like new..ish.

Brandon Booher
NHRA TAD #323

 

Just to be on the safe side have them dry clean it in the morning when their equipment is fresh..

Also when done take your suit, turn it inside out and leave in the sun to dry for a couple hours, DRY clean stuff itches like hell , especially after you have it on , in the car.

hope this helps!

 

If you have a high eff. washer... wash with cold water on hand wash with a dash of detergent. Have always cleaned my stuff this way. It's no worse than the wear and tear it see's in normal use.

 

I'm like Brandon. I take mine every 2 to 3 races and get it dry cleaned.

 

I just toss mine in the washer on cold. I do it after every race, have for years. Never hurt anything that I can tell.

 

I picked up a new -15 last week (in person)and asked this question. I was told "you cannot wash out the fire retardant, it's a myth"
Further, I was told for normal washing, machine wash on a gentle cycle. For oil stains, dry clean...

 

i have washed my -20 many times over the years watch how you dry it the older heavy suits will srink i really dont think i put on that much weight ( lol )

 

for starters... nomex material is inherently fireproof. it's not a treatment or something that will wash away. so no worries about washing your gear

there is no need to dry clean your suit

some suggestions
-use a mild detergent and only a small amount (i typically use woolite or a very small amount of regular detergent)
-i use cold water
-i don't dry mine in a machine... hang it in an area with good dry air movement and turn the gear inside-out/outside-in several times to make sure it dries completely (avoid prolonged direct sunlight exposure)
-wash you gear on a fairly regular basis... think of how your car picks up that film of oils/fuel spray/etc... so does your firesuit
-if you have access to a commercial extractor (layman's term for a bad ass washing machine) definitely use it


a -20 suit is VERY similar to the fire gear i use to save my ass day to day on the job... and this is how we care for our equipment. dirty/soiled gear is less-safe.... so keep it clean boys

and JT needs all the help he can get to keep smelling fresh

 

My 3-2A/20 Deist states on the label "Machine wash warm and gentle cycle. Do not bleach .Tumble dry low heat or drip dry".

 

DJ says to use a mild detergent, and line dry. That is how i treat mine after every weekend. Smells GREAT, feels great, looks great.