Structural firefighting PPE is designed to provide protection against specific thermal and liquid hazards. Firefighters can still be exposed to products of combustion and other contaminants during fireground operations, making proper PPE care and exposure-reduction practices important.
For years, a dangerous misconception lingered in firehouses: that throwing dirty gear into any old washer with a scoop of standard detergent was enough. In reality, washing firefighter turnout gear requires a highly specialized process. Firefighter PPE should be cleaned only in accordance with the garment manufacturer's care instructions and the department's PPE care program. Household laundry products and washing equipment may not be appropriate for contaminated turnout gear or capable of meeting the required PPE care process.
Let's look at how to wash fire gear properly, what makes washing turnout gear different from a regular laundry load, and how to safely execute the process from pretreatment to drying.
The Danger of Standard Laundry Detergent on PPE
Standard household laundry detergents are formulated to break down organic proteins and remove stains from cotton, polyester, and denim. Household laundry products vary widely in formulation and may contain additives that are not recommended for firefighter PPE. Departments should select cleaning products that meet the PPE manufacturer's instructions and their own PPE care program requirements.
A few common ingredient categories illustrate why this matters:
1. Optical brighteners
Avoid cleaning agents that leave residues or are not recommended by the PPE manufacturer. Follow the garment manufacturer's written care instructions for compatible cleaning products.
2. Fabric softeners
Fabric softeners should not be used on firefighter turnout gear unless the PPE manufacturer specifically permits them. Follow the PPE manufacturer's documented laundering instructions and use only compatible cleaning products.
3. pH extremes
Use a detergent and wash process within the PPE manufacturer's specified care parameters. Many manufacturer guides specify a detergent pH range of 6.0 to 10.5, but departments must confirm the requirements for the particular garment and material configuration being cleaned.
Current PPE care practices should align with NFPA 1850, the PPE manufacturer's instructions, and the department's documented PPE care program. NFPA 1851 has been consolidated into NFPA 1850.
Use a cleaning product only where it is compatible with the PPE manufacturer's care instructions and the department's PPE care program. Do not expect residue free cleaning, compatibility with all PPE, or a specific level of contaminant removal from any single product.
Why a Standard Washing Machine Won't Cut It
Just as regular detergent can fall short, using a standard household washing machine is not appropriate for contaminated gear. Contaminated turnout gear should not be washed in a household machine used for family laundry.
Departments should use dedicated PPE cleaning equipment and follow the garment manufacturer's instructions for load size, cycle selection, water temperature, detergent, rinsing, extraction force, and drying.
Washing fire gear at home also raises a practical concern beyond the equipment itself. Contaminated bunker gear and PPE should not be cleaned at home or in community laundry facilities. Use a department-approved PPE cleaning process to reduce the risk of contamination transfer to people, equipment, and clean spaces.
Use dedicated PPE cleaning equipment that meets the PPE manufacturer's requirements. Many manufacturer guides prefer a front-loading turnout gear washing machine and specify wash water not exceeding 105°F / 40°C and extraction forces below 100 G. Always verify the exact requirements for the specific PPE model before applying these limits.
How to Wash Turnout Gear Properly: Step by Step
To maximize safety and longevity, departments should follow strict, standardized protocols when washing fire gear.
1. Advanced inspection and disassembly. Before washing turnout gear, separate the components. Unfasten and detach the outer shell from the inner thermal liner and the moisture barrier, and remove the Drag Rescue Device (DRD). Washing these pieces separately helps prevent contaminants on the outer shell from transferring to the clean inner layers during the cycle.
2. Secure all closures. Fasten all zippers, snaps, and hook and dee closures on the outer shell, and make sure all hook and loop (Velcro) panels are completely covered. Exposed hooks can snag and fray fabrics during the wash cycle.
3. Pretreat heavy soiling. For heavily soiled areas, follow the PPE manufacturer's pretreatment instructions. Where a manufacturer permits pretreatment, use a compatible product and a soft brush, then complete the required laundering process before returning the garment to service.
4. Load the washer extractor. Follow the garment manufacturer's cleaning instructions for wash temperature, cycle selection, rinsing, and extraction. Many manufacturer care guides specify a maximum wash water temperature of 105°F / 40°C, but the applicable instructions for the specific PPE model control. Ensure the load size allows the garments to move freely for a thorough rinse.
5. Dry using the specified method. Dry turnout gear only by the method specified by the PPE manufacturer. Avoid direct sunlight and uncontrolled heat. Depending on the garment, the manufacturer may specify shaded air drying, a drying cabinet, or a controlled no heat or low heat machine drying process.
Protect the Gear That Protects You
Follow NFPA 1850, the PPE manufacturer's care instructions, and the department's PPE care program when selecting cleaning equipment and detergents. X-Tinguisher Premium Laundry Detergent should be used only as directed on its label and Safety Data Sheet, and only where compatible with the PPE manufacturer's instructions and the department's PPE care program.
Conclusion
Washing fire gear is not a task that a household detergent and a family washing machine can safely handle. From the pH of the detergent to the mechanics of the machine itself, every part of the process needs to follow the PPE manufacturer's instructions and the department's own PPE care program, not general laundry habits carried over from home.
The safest approach to washing bunker gear comes down to a few consistent principles: use only cleaning products the manufacturer permits, rely on a dedicated turnout gear washing machine rather than household equipment, follow the specified water temperature and extraction limits, and dry gear exactly as instructed. Where a product like X-Tinguisher Premium Laundry Detergent is used to support that process, it should always be used strictly as directed on its label and Safety Data Sheet, alongside the manufacturer's care instructions rather than in place of them.
Getting washing turnout gear right protects the structural integrity of the ensemble your crew depends on, and it keeps that process where it belongs: inside a controlled, department managed PPE care program.
Important PPE care note: This article is a general educational resource. It does not replace the PPE manufacturer's care instructions, a fire department's PPE care program, SOGs/SOPs, applicable standards, inspection requirements, professional repair, or occupational health direction. Use X-Tinguisher products only as directed on their labels and Safety Data Sheets. No detergent or cleaning product eliminates all exposure risk or replaces PPE isolation, proper laundering, apparatus cleaning, clean cab practices, and post-incident health procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wash firefighter bunker gear in my home washing machine?
No. Contaminated turnout gear should not be cleaned in household or community laundry equipment. Follow your department's approved PPE cleaning process and the PPE manufacturer's care instructions to reduce the risk of cross contamination and improper cleaning.
Can I use bleach on turnout gear?
Do not use chlorine bleach unless the PPE manufacturer specifically permits it. PPE manufacturer guidance commonly directs users not to use chlorine bleach on turnout gear. Follow the exact care instructions for the garment being cleaned.
Why is water temperature important when washing turnout gear?
Water temperature, cycle selection, rinsing, extraction, and drying must follow the PPE manufacturer's written instructions. Many care guides specify wash water not exceeding 105°F / 40°C. Confirm the requirement for the specific PPE model.
Can I use bleach on turnout gear?
Do not use chlorine bleach unless the PPE manufacturer specifically permits it, as it can severely degrade the protective fibers. Instead, always use an approved firefighter PPE laundry detergent that safely removes hazardous contaminants while preserving the flame-resistant properties and structural integrity of the gear.
How frequently should firefighter turnout gear undergo advanced cleaning?
Follow the current NFPA 1850 framework, the PPE manufacturer's care instructions, and the department's documented PPE care program. Complete advanced cleaning after significant contamination or when routine exposure reduction is not sufficient. Before stating a fixed interval in public copy, verify the current edition of the standard and the applicable department policy.
Note: This article is a general educational resource and does not constitute legal, technical, or PPE manufacturer guidance. All product references are subject to X-Tinguisher's current label, Safety Data Sheet, and internal claim evidence file, and require final review by a qualified fire service/PPE care professional and legal counsel prior to publication.
