FR clothing has one job: help protect you when things go sideways.
That means how you wash it matters. The wrong detergent, additive, softener, bleach, or dryer routine can shorten the life of the garment and leave residues that work against what the clothing was designed to do.
What makes FR clothing different?
Flame-resistant clothing is designed to resist ignition, reduce burn injury, and self-extinguish when exposed to flame or arc flash hazards, depending on the garment rating and application.
That protection depends on the fabric, treatment, construction, and how the garment is maintained.
Basic FR clothing wash rules
1. Read the garment care label
FR garments vary by fabric type and manufacturer. The care label is the first authority.
2. Wash FR clothing separately
Keep FR clothing separate from towels, heavily linting fabrics, oily rags, and normal household laundry.
3. Use a clean-rinsing detergent
Use detergent that does not contain fabric softener, chlorine bleach, or optical brighteners. For trade work, it also needs to clean sweat, diesel odor, oil, grease, hydraulic fluid, and jobsite grime.
4. Avoid fabric softener and dryer sheets
Fabric softener and dryer sheets leave residue on fabric. On FR clothing, residue is the enemy.
5. Avoid chlorine bleach
Chlorine bleach can damage fibers and should not be used on FR garments unless the manufacturer specifically allows it.
6. Remove heavy oils before drying
Diesel, oil, hydraulic fluid, and grease should be pre-treated and fully removed before dryer heat.
How to remove diesel smell from FR clothing
- Separate the affected FR clothing.
- Pre-treat diesel-soaked areas with a workwear-safe degreasing detergent or pre-treatment.
- Let it sit 10-15 minutes.
- Wash warm if the garment label allows.
- Use detergent without softener, optical brighteners, or chlorine bleach.
- Air dry and inspect before any dryer heat.
- Repeat if odor remains.
Ingredients to avoid on FR clothing
- Fabric softener: leaves residue and should not be used on FR clothing.
- Dryer sheets: leave coating behind and can create the same problem as softener.
- Chlorine bleach: can damage fibers and shorten garment life.
- Optical brighteners: leave chemical residue on fabric and are not ideal for FR or high-vis workwear.
- Starch: can create flammable buildup and stiffness.