Knowing how to properly care for your fire gear is key to keeping your gear in good condition and working properly. After a normal fire turnout gear will be heavily soiled with toxic residue and soot. These need to be washed off sooner rather than later because residue can greatly reduce the integrity of the garment by degrading the fabric, making it easier to tear and more prone to developing holes which increases the risk of steam burns. All of these endanger personnel, so caring for the garments properly is important. Proper cleaning can actually extend the life of your gear by as much as 50 percent.
T & L Laundry Equipment knows how important it is to have clean, safe gear for your station. We proudly offer a wide variety of Energy Star rated washers, dryers and water heaters to help your personnel get the best quality clean for their gear. We're not Maytag dealers in Greensboro, NC, but we do stand behind our Continental and Speed Queen equipment. For more than 40 years we have been working with fire stations, commercial laundries and laundromats to provide the best and most affordable equipment. Call T & L today and see what our sales staff can do for you.
Here are some tips on how to extend the life of your gear and keep your firefighters safe.
Tips for Cleaning Your Fire Gear
Frequent cleaning of turnout gear is important to its life span. Turnout gear needs a thorough cleaning after every use. For gear that is used less frequently, cleaning is recommended every six months. Be sure not to hand wash your gear, even if it hasn’t been exposed to toxins. Hand washing fails to clean your gear properly. If you are hand cleaning gear after it has been exposed to a fire, you are exposing yourself to dangerous chemicals and biological toxins.
Never allow firefighters or other personnel to take gear home to wash or use laundromats. Residue left behind from soiled turnout gear may contaminate future washes with dangerous chemicals and toxins. Gear needs to be professionally cleaned, which can become very expensive, or washed onsite at the firehouse. Purchasing washers and dryers is very cost effective compared to the $70 per set of gear to have each professionally cleaned.
Never combine turnout gear with other laundry from the station. The toxins can get on the other laundry if washed together. If possible, clean turnout gear in separate equipment from what is used for bedding and other regular laundry. If you don't have separate machines, run a sanitizer cycle between loads to help remove any residual contaminants that may still be there.
When it comes to specifications of your laundry machines, go for front loading washers. Front loading washers are recommended because they do not have an agitator, which can damage gear. Look for a washer with a stainless steel tub if you can as it helps to bind and destroy odor. Look for 100 G-Force washers or lower as High G-force washers are known to deteriorate turnout gear over time.
When cleaning your gear, you should follow all washing directions such as fastening all closures, zipping all zippers and so on. If you can, remove liners for separate laundering. Cover any hook portion of all Velcro so it does not snag on other garments or material during the laundry cycle. Be sure to check all gear after it has been cleaned for any rips, tears, or other damages so no one is exposed to toxins.
Stop Searching for Maytag Dealers in Greensboro, NC!
Ready to buy new commercial washers and dryers? Do you have an interest in new laundromat equipment for your firehouse? Let us help with your plans so that you can choose the right commercial washers and dryers for your business’s needs. We serve industries such as healthcare, hospitality, correctional facilities, fire departments, fitness centers, hair salons and food service as well as laundromat owners. We're not Maytag dealers in Greensboro, NC, but we are the top Speed Queen and Continental dealers in North Carolina. So call T & L today and start saving time and money.
