Keeping Your Hi Vis Workwear Bright and Safe_ Top Tips for Keeping Hi Vis Gear Clean

1. Keeping Your Hi Vis Workwear Bright and Safe: Top Tips for Keeping Hi Vis Gear Clean High visibility clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) is an essential part of workplace safety for many industries like construction, manufacturing, mining, transportation and more. Hi vis gear helps workers be easily seen by equipment operators, vehicle drivers and others to prevent accidents and injuries on active work sites. However, hi vis clothes and gear can get extremely dirty from dirt, grease, mud, paint and other contaminants. When the bright colored fabric becomes dull and dingy, it defeats the purpose of high visibility apparel. Keeping hi vis gear properly cleaned and well-maintained is crucial for maximizing visibility and ensuring workers remain safe on the job. Why Does Keeping Your Hi Vis Gear Clean Matter? While hi vis clothing is designed to be durable, neglecting proper cleaning can have serious consequences:

2. ● Reduced Visibility: Dirt, dust, and grime build-up can obscure the fluorescent material of your hi vis gear, making you less visible in low-light environments. This can significantly increase the risk of accidents. Reflective Tape Degradation: Harsh chemicals and improper washing techniques can damage the reflective strips on your hi vis clothing. Damaged or dull reflective strips won't reflect light effectively, defeating the purpose of the safety gear. Comfort and Professionalism: Dirty hi vis clothing is simply uncomfortable to wear. Additionally, presenting well on the job site with clean, well-maintained gear reflects professionalism and sets a good safety example for colleagues. ● ● Hi Vis Jackets One of the most common and important hi vis garments is the safety jacket. Durable hi vis jackets provide warmth and protection while allowing easy movement for active jobs. Whether made from polyester mesh, rip-stop nylon, fleece or other materials, it's important to clean hi vis jackets properly. For light soiling, brush off any loose dirt or debris first. Then, machine wash the jacket using a mild detergent and the warm water setting. For tougher stains, try pretreating with a stain remover or adding an oxygenated bleach solution to the wash. Avoid using chlorine bleach as it can cause premature fading of the bright fabric colors.

3. Air dry the hi vis jacket if possible by hanging or laying flat. The high heat of a dryer can cause shrinkage or wear down the reflective stripes over time. Once fully dry, you may need to re-activate the hi vis trim by flat ironing it with medium heat. Hi Vis Shirts and T-Shirts Breathable hi vis shirts and t-shirts are designed to keep workers cool and comfortable on the job site. But sweat, grease and grime can quickly build up, obscuring the bright color that makes the hi vis shirt effective. Start by turning the hi vis shirt inside out and presoaking in cold water to prevent any stains from setting. For synthetic fabrics, wash in warm water using a heavy-duty detergent or add a non-chlorine oxygen bleach. For cotton hi vis tees, wash in hot water with a color-safe bleach alternative. Avoid using chlorine bleach, fabric softeners or dryer sheets which can dull the bright colors over time. Hang dry or tumble dry on a low heat setting. Be sure not to leave hi vis shirts in the dryer too long as the high heat can damage reflective trims. A short five-minute fluff cycle at the end can help reactivate heat-activated reflective strips.

4. Hi Vis Pants, Overalls and Coveralls For hi vis pants, overalls, coveralls and other bottoms, stains and soiling tend to be more concentrated on the knees, pockets and cuffs. Heavily soiled items may require pretreatment before washing. Brush off loose dirt first, then treat tough grease or paint stains with a commercial degreaser or stain stick. Let any pretreatment sit for 15-30 minutes before washing. For very grimy coveralls, you may want to rinse under running water first to remove excess soil. Wash hi vis pants and overalls in warm water, using a heavy-duty detergent and color-safe oxygenated bleach if needed. For cotton fabrics, hot water washing with bleach alternative helps brighten the hi vis colors. Air drying is best, but you can tumble dry on low heat if needed, removing promptly. A short air fluff cycle helps revive heat-activated reflective trims. Hi Vis Hard Hats Hard hats with reflective hi vis stripes should be scrubbed clean regularly. Use a mild detergent, warm water and a soft brush or cloth to wipe away dirt and grime. Avoid using abrasive brushes or pads that could scratch or damage the plastic shell or reflective decals. Rinse thoroughly and air dry. For tougher baked-on stains or oil/grease, use a commercial degreaser or gentle solvent cleaner on the hard hat shell before scrubbing. Check that your hard hat is compatible with any cleaning solutions being used. Replace any hard hats showing excessive wear, cracks or damage during inspection.

5. Hi Vis Safety Vests Affordable hi vis safety vests or mesh vests are meant to be worn over other clothes to increase visibility. After an active day on the job site, these vests can become quite soiled. First, brush off any loose debris. Pretreat tough stains with a spot remover or soak in warm water with a grease-cutting detergent before washing. Machine wash hi vis vests in warm water using a heavy-duty detergent and bleach alternative if needed. Air drying is best, but a low heat dryer cycle can be used if needed. Check that the reflective trim is still bright before returning the vest to service. Additional Tips for Keeping Hi Vis Gear Clean Here are some additional tips for properly maintaining hi vis clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE): ● Check all garment and equipment tags first for any specific cleaning instructions provided by the manufacturer. Remove any detachable parts, accessories, ID panels or velcro strips before washing to avoid snags or damage. Double check any pockets for items remaining inside before washing. ● ●

6. ● Wash hi vis items separately or with other bright colors to prevent color bleeding or transfer. Use cold water when first treating stains to keep them from setting in the fabric. Stick to using either powdered detergents or liquid detergents for best cleaning results – don't mix and match formulas. Dry cleaning can be done for durable hi vis garments but may cause fading over time on some types. Replace any hi vis gear with faded colors or heavy soiling that can't be properly cleaned. ● ● ● ● Clean hi vis gear is not just about appearance; it’s about safety. Dirty or faded hi vis clothing can significantly reduce visibility, increasing the risk of accidents. By following these cleaning and maintenance tips, workers can ensure their hi vis gear remains effective, providing maximum safety on the job. By taking proper care to keep hi vis workwear, jackets, vests, hard hats and other gear clean and well-maintained, you'll maximize its visibility and protective qualities to stay safe on the job. Bright, brilliant colors and intact reflective trims increase the likelihood of being seen by others in active work zones.