How to clean hi-vis workwear: a guide

High-visibility (hi-vis) workwear is an essential element of workplace safety in various industries across the UK, including the automotive and manufacturing sectors, construction, hospitality, retail, and more.

Designed to enhance worker visibility in daylight, low-light conditions, and adverse weather, these garments significantly reduce the risk of accidents. Importantly, they must be kept clean to remain effective.

This comprehensive guide provides instructions on cleaning your hi-vis garments, along with information on how to maintain them to ensure optimal protection and compliance with workplace health and safety regulations.

The importance of cleaning and maintaining hi-vis garments

Hi-vis workwear stands out thanks to vibrant fluorescent materials that transform UV light into visible light and retroreflective strips that reflect light back towards the source. Dirt, grime, oil, and other contaminants can obscure these components, compromising the wearer’s safety.

Stained, discoloured, or faded garments are often taken out of service well before they have reached the end of their practical lifespan. This is especially important to note considering that high performance hi-vis garments designed to meet rigorous safety standards can be a significant financial investment.

Preparing to clean hi-vis clothing

Remove loose debris

Before washing, brush off any loose dirt or debris with a dry cloth. Pay careful attention to areas around seams, zips, and pockets where dirt may accumulate.

Pre-treat stubborn stains

Pre-treat stains with a suitable stain remover. Where appropriate, use products specifically designed for use on workwear or heavily soiled fabrics.

Always follow the product’s instructions and check its suitability for use on your garments. Here are some effective approaches for common stains:

Oil and grease

Baking soda is a simple and effective solution. Sprinkle it liberally on the stain, leave it to absorb for at least 24 hours, then brush away before washing. Alternatively, apply dishwashing liquid as a pre-treatment, as its grease-fighting properties will emulsify the stain.

Dirt and mud

Mix a gentle detergent with lukewarm water and gently scrub the affected area with a soft brush before washing.

Check the manufacturer’s washing instructions

Always read the care label on your garment for recommended washing instructions. Note any specified water temperature, detergent types, and suitable washing cycles. Following the instructions will help to ensure the longevity of hi-vis workwear.

Washing hi-vis garments

Use mild detergent

Use a mild, non-bio detergent designed for delicate fabrics. Avoid harsh chemicals such as chlorine bleach, which can cause fluorescent materials to fade.

Cool or warm water

Wash hi-vis garments in cool or warm water temperatures, ideally between 30°C and 40°C. High temperatures can damage both the fluorescent and retroreflective materials and shorten the garment’s lifespan.

Wash separately

Wash hi-vis workwear separately from other garments, especially if they are heavily soiled. This helps to prevent dirt and grime from transferring to other items, or being picked up and deposited onto the hi-vis clothing.

Drying hi-vis workwear

To best preserve the garment’s integrity, it is recommended to air-dry hi-vis garments, ideally indoors. This helps to prevent fading and potential shrinkage that may occur if using a tumble dryer. Avoid drying in direct sunlight as this can accelerate fading caused by UV exposure.

Additional tips for hi-vis laundry

• Do not iron reflective tape: Avoid ironing over retroreflective strips as the high heat could damage their delicate structure.
• Do not overload the washing machine: Avoid overloading your washing machine to ensure that garments are properly cleaned and rinsed during the washing cycle.
• Avoid softeners: Fabric softeners can leave a residue on the reflective and fluorescent properties of hi-vis workwear, reducing visibility.

When to replace hi-vis workwear

Even with excellent upkeep, hi-vis workwear has a finite lifespan. Understanding when to replace an item is crucial to ensure adequate protection.

Here’s a breakdown of the indicators which signal that it’s time for a new garment:

• Fading:If the fluorescent material loses significant vibrancy, it reduces the garment’s daytime visibility.
• Damaged or degraded reflective strips: Cracks, peeling, or missing sections on reflective strips greatly diminish their ability to reflect light, hindering night time and low-light visibility.
• Rips, tears, or missing components: Garments with compromised structural integrity are no longer fit for purpose and pose a safety hazard.

Under UK health and safety law, employers are obligated to provide employees with suitable PPE that complies with current regulations. Don’t risk non-compliance or putting your employees’ safety on the line; replace garments as soon as any of these signs of deterioration become apparent.

Outsourcing your hi-vis cleaning needs

The cleaning and maintenance of hi-vis workwear can be a time-consuming and burdensome process, especially when catering for a large workforce.

Partnering with a reputable workwear supplier like Lindström, who provide high-quality hi-vis garments and comprehensive textile rental and laundry services, can offer businesses a range of advantages:

Guaranteed compliance

Professional laundry services ensure your hi-vis workwear always meets stringent Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulations and EN ISO 20471:2013 standards for cleaning and maintenance, taking the worry out of compliance.

Reduced upfront investment

Renting workwear eliminates the need for significant capital investment in clothing, improving cash flow.

Streamlined management

With a single point of contact for sourcing, cleaning, repair, and replacement of all workwear, businesses can focus on their core operations while outsourcing the complexities.

Environmental sustainability

In addition to utilising energy-efficient washing processes, our workwear laundry service also helps to extend the life of garments through professional care, while maintaining waste prevention and diversion programmes. All these aspects contribute to an organisation’s corporate social responsibility goals.

Tailored solutions

We work closely with you to understand your specific needs and provide a workwear solution that aligns perfectly.

Lindström: Simplifying hi-vis workwear for UK businesses

Ensuring your team is always in correctly fitted, well-maintained, and fully compliant hi-vis workwear is an essential aspect of workplace safety.

Don’t risk employee safety or legal implications. By partnering with Lindström, you demonstrate a commitment to best practice in workplace health and safety and ensure your employees remain safe and highly visible whenever necessary.

Let us take the complexities and hidden costs out of providing hi-vis workwear and other essential PPE. Our HiVis Pro collection includes a range of high-quality workwear solutions, such as hi-vis trousers, jackets, and overalls, tailored to meet the needs of diverse industries.

Our experienced team is ready to help you discover how our comprehensive industrial workwear rental and workwear laundry services can support your business at every stage.

Take the next step towards a more efficient and compliant workplace; contact Lindström today. Call 01234 343555 for a personalised assessment of your business’s workwear needs.