Tips on Caring for Your Hi Vis Clothing Items Through Every Season

By HiVis Supply
Jun 24, 2020

Through torrential rains, oppressive heat and cold winter days, you’ll want to stay protected

Those of us who wear high vis clothing on the job know that stains, rips, and tears are par for the course. We dress in safety wear while at work in order to protect us from the elements and hazards of the job site, whether those are inclement weather, chemicals, or struck-by hazards. Because of this, our daily uniforms must be made of some of the most durable, dirt- and stain-resistant materials out there.

Why Proper Care Is Essential

Even though this apparel is built for extreme durability, it’s still susceptible to damage. Taking the appropriate care and maintenance steps can help ensure that your hi vis clothing remains safe, durable, and ready for anything.

Safe. Two important features of high visibility apparel are its fluorescent background and retro-reflective material. If your gear is covered in stains or rips, it takes away from the total amount of high visibility material you’re wearing, which can prevent drivers, equipment operators, and your fellow workers from seeing you. Improper care can also diminish an item’s brilliance, reducing its safety.
Cost-effective. Workplace gear is high-quality and durable, so it can be a bit of an investment. Keeping your apparel in good shape keeps pieces in the rotation for years to come, which means you don’t have to spend as much on replacing items in the future.
Clean. We know that the professionals we serve here at HiVis Supply are some of the hardest working in the world. Full days of breaking a sweat—high heat, harsh sun, freezing cold, the pressure to get things done fast—they all cause us to come home tired and sometimes a little smelly. Proper care keeps you and your clothing from smelling bad or looking unprofessional.

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Tips for Caring for High Vis Clothing

Here are some of our best tips for keeping your high visibility safety wear clean and effective for years to come.

Wear the right gear for the right weather. Different materials were made for different weather systems. For example, your work rain gear was made to perform in the rain and won’t be compromised when exposed to moisture. The same goes for your winter safety gear. The snow, salt, slush, and ice were made for the cold weather, while your spring gear definitely was not. In the summer, you need to wear cooling, breathable pieces that stay fresh even when you’re working and sweating through the hottest days of the year.
Machine wash with care. Some of your gear may be machine washable, but always make sure the care tag explicitly states this before tossing it in the laundry. For best results, machine wash with care using the following guidelines:

Machine wash on cold or delicate only if indicated as safe by the garment’s care tag.
Tumble dry on low or line dry.
Wash items inside-out.
Do not pre-soak.
Wash with like colors.
Don’t wash with items that have Velcro or hook and loop closures (they can catch on mesh or breathable fabric and cause tears).
Avoid using bleach or fabric softener.
Use a mild laundry detergent.
Do not dry clean or iron.

Washing gear with reflective tape. Special fabrics and reflective tapes often require very specific care instructions. This is especially true when cleaning your Fire Resistant and/or Arc Flash protective apparel. Pay close attention to the manufacturer's care instructions as improper washing methods can drastically diminish the garment's protective qualities - greatly increasing the hazard risk to the wearer
Spot clean regularly. When in doubt, spot clean your dirty items. As soon as you get home, attack any stains or spots with a soft sponge or cleaning cloth and a mild soap or detergent.
Pay attention to your vests, jackets, etc. So many of us keep backup safety vests, safety jackets, and other high visibility top layers in the truck or work bag to toss on when we need them. But since they often don’t go home with us, they rarely get a proper clean. Make sure to keep these items in the cleaning rotation, too, to ensure that they’re always fresh when you need them.

Go for Quality

Caring for your workwear can make a massive difference, saving you money and keeping you as safe as possible. Make sure to choose high-quality work apparel from our store, as these products tend to last longer and have features that help them endure in harsh conditions. We’re happy to outfit you with the best of the best here at HiVis Supply!