Wash Nomex Clothing: How To Clean Nomex Safely (Do’s And Don’ts)
Wash Nomex clothing with a conservative, label-first routine. Nomex garments are protective workwear—so cleaning is about removing contaminants without damaging fabric strength or leaving residues.
Safety note: Always follow the garment care label and your workplace safety program. If FR gear is contaminated with fuel or hazardous chemicals, remove it from service and follow workplace procedures.
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Wash Nomex Clothing: Quick Safe Rules
- Follow the garment care label first.
- Wash separately to reduce contamination from flammable lint.
- Use a mild/standard detergent (avoid experimental additives).
- Avoid bleach unless the manufacturer explicitly allows it.
- Rinse thoroughly and finish with low heat (or air dry when possible).
1) Why You Should Wash Nomex Clothing Separately
When you wash protective gear with regular clothing, you can transfer lint and residues. Guidance for Nomex wildland-type garments commonly emphasizes washing Nomex items separately to avoid contamination.
2) Best Detergent Choice When You Wash Nomex Clothing
A safe baseline is a standard household laundry detergent used as directed. The goal is to remove dirt and contaminants without harsh chemistry.
3) Temperature And Rinsing When You Wash Nomex Clothing
A common Nomex laundering approach is to use formulations designed for 140°F (60°C) or less for adequate cleaning and best color retention, then rinse thoroughly to remove residual wash chemicals.
If garments are heavily oily or stained, guidance notes a higher-temperature formula may be required—but don’t jump to high heat unless needed and label-permitted.
Also Read: Safe Wash Temperature For Nomex Clothing
4) Bleach And Strong Chemicals (What To Avoid)
Many Nomex care resources warn against bleach chemicals because they can affect color and strength. When in doubt: avoid bleach unless your specific program/label allows a specific type.
5) Drying And Finishing
Keep drying conservative:
- low heat tumble dry (if permitted), or
- air dry
If contamination odor remains (fuel/solvent), treat it as a safety issue—don’t “cook it out” in a hot dryer.
FAQ
Can I dry clean Nomex?
Some guidance mentions dry cleaning as an option for heavy soil in specific contexts. Always follow your garment label and workplace program.
What if my Nomex was exposed to hazardous chemicals?
Do not treat it like normal laundry. Use your safety program’s decontamination rules and consider remove-from-service guidance.
