Excel FR® 100% Cotton and Excel FR Comfortouch® 88% Cotton/12% Nylon

Care & Cleaning Information for Flame Resistant 100% Cotton and 88% Cotton/12% Nylon Garments

These garments can be laundered at temperatures normal to cottons. With the exception of FR denim, they can also be dry cleaned. Do not dry clean 100% cotton denim as the indigo dye system will fade and bleed into the solvent.

Flame resistant garments should be removed immediately and replaced with clean FR apparel if they become fouled with flammable materials.

Flame resistant apparel should be washed using soft water (less than 4.0 grains). Hard water adversely affects cleaning, resulting in increased detergent usage. Hard water contains mineral salts that can form insoluble deposits on the surface of fabrics. Sufficient buildup can negate the flame resistant characteristics of the garment, and may serve as fuel if garments are exposed to an ignition source.

These garments should not be worn where contact with strong oxidizers (e.g., >10% sodium hypochlorite, NaOCl) or reducing agents (e.g., sodium hydrosulfite, NaS2O4) is a consideration.

HOME WASH

  • Use any typical home laundry detergent. Powdered home wash detergents containing sodium perborate and other "color safe" bleach alternatives will not affect the flame resistance of the garments.

  • Do not use chlorine bleach, liquid nonchlorine bleach or detergents that contain hydrogen peroxide. These include but are not limited to liquid Tide with Bleach®, liquid Clorox II®, and liquid Vivid®.

  • It is important that all potentially flammable soils and other contaminants are completely removed from garments during the wash process. This may require the use of stain removal products, such as Shout®, Spray 'n Wash®, or Zout®; or presoaking garments prior to washing. The use of hot water can often make detergents more effective in soil removal. If all contaminants cannot be removed in home care, you should obtain professional help in getting your FR garments clean.

  • The use of conditioned or soft water can help improve removal of contaminants from garments. Hard water precipitates soaps and can result in the build-up of calcium and magnesium salts. These can serve as fuel in the event they are exposed to a source of ignition.

  • Starch, fabric softeners, and other laundry additives are not recommended because they can coat fibers and mask FR performance, or serve as fuel in case of garment ignition.

  • Do not over dry garments. If desired, you may press with an iron on the normal cotton setting.

  • We recommend you turn garments inside out to help reduce streaking that can occur due to abrasion in the washer.

    • DRY CLEAN

  • Either perchloroethylene or petroleum solvent can be used. With petroleum, it is necessary to ensure that all solvent has been completely dried from the garments. Do not dry clean indigo dyed FR denim.

    • REPAIR & MENDING

  • Minor repairs that do not affect the integrity of the garment may be made with like materials by either heat sealing or sewing on patches or darning small holes.


    • The information in this bulletin is based on the results of testing in Bulwark's laboratory and information from the fabric vendor. It is provided for your guidance and knowledge. As of the publication date, this bulletin contains up to date information on care and cleaning. Please visit Bulwark's website at www.bulwark.com for the latest information.