Washing your FR

Benchmark FR Care & Wash Instructions

Laundry and Care

Benchmark FR® garments will remain flame resistant for the life of the garment provided they are cared for properly. Our wash instructions are quite simple and mostly require that you leave out extra chemicals during the laundering process. Benchmark FR® garments can be home laundered, dry cleaned and industrial laundered.

Important

Arc and flame clothing should be cleaned if they are soiled with contaminants or flammable material. All materials influencing flammability must be washed off the garments. Stains have no measurable impact and are considered safe. Do not be afraid to wash your Benchmark arc & flame resistant clothing, frequent washing is recommended to avoid soiling and to maintain peak flame resistant properties. (ASTM F2757)

Benchmark Care Label:

Inside each garment you will find a care label which calls out simple wash instructions.

Machine wash warm, tumble dry low. Use soft powder or liquid laundry detergent.

Do not use: bleach, fabric softeners, starch, lye based soap, open steam or products containing hydrogen peroxide.

benchmark fr care label

Wash Options

Machine wash in warm water (maximum of 140ºF / 60ºC) with Permanent Press or Cotton Cycle settings

Home liquid laundry detergent or soft powder (i.e.: Tide® or All®)

Do not use bleach or detergents containing bleach.  This includes laundry pods.

Do not use hydrogen peroxide either alone or as part of a detergent (i.e.: OxyClean®)

Do not use lye based, tallow or home-made soaps

Do not use fabric softeners

Tumble dry on low heat (maximum of 160ºF / 71ºC). Do not over-dry

Do not dry in sunlight

Avoid pressing with open steam

Do not use starch, fabric softeners, or dryer sheets

Do not use excessively hard water, use of a softening agent (i.e.: Calgon®) or water softening systems

Set washing machine on a cotton cycle

Cold or Warm water (typically 80 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit)

Home laundry detergent (i.e.: Tide® or All®)

Do not use bleach whether separate or contained within the detergent

Do not use hydrogen peroxide either alone or as part of a detergent (i.e.: OxyClean®)

Do not use lye based, tallow or home-made soaps

Do not use fabric softeners

Tumble dry low or medium heat, do not over dry. Avoid pressing with open steam.

Do not use starch

Do not use excessively hard water, use of a softening agent (i.e.: Calgon®) or water softening systems

While all Benchmark FR products can be dry cleaned, it is the favored method for cleaning insulated outerwear garments such as parkas and jackets

The dry cleaning solvents should be clean

Solvent systems charged with water and detergents are safe

Flame resistant garments are designed to react to heat and it is important the laundry service knows to follow the care label wash instructions, which are sewn inside each Benchmark garment

Wash soiled Benchmark flame resistant garments separately to avoid cross contamination

We recommend flush, break, carry over and rinse with water not exceeding 160 degrees Fahrenheit

FR properties are normally not affected by high wash temperatures however, to avoid excessive shrinkage they should be avoided

Lower temperatures for lightly soiled garments are recommended for increased garment life and maximum color retention

Garments should have a pH of 7 or slightly alkaline

Do not use caustic based alkaline

Adequately rinse to achieve dilution and a neutral to slightly alkaline pH should be used

Do not use bleach whether separate or contained within the detergent

Do not use hydrogen peroxide either alone or as part of a detergent

Benchmark FR garments can be dried using typical methods for cotton however, to avoid excess shrinkage, over drying should be avoided

Typical cotton pressing techniques can be used, however avoid finishing and pressing with open steam

Do not use starch

Please contact us with any questions

Laundry and Care Questions