Your workwear goes through tough conditions every day. Dirt, dust, grease, rain, heavy lifting, and constant movement can all wear garments down over time.
But washing workwear incorrectly can shorten its lifespan, reduce comfort, damage waterproof coatings, and even affect safety features such as hi-vis visibility.
Learning how to properly wash and care for your workwear helps keep garments looking professional, performing properly, and lasting longer on site.
Always Follow the Care Label in Your Workwear
The care label on your workwear provides important instructions on how to wash and care for the garment properly.
This includes:
- Recommended water temperature
- Suitable detergents
- Drying instructions
- Tumble drying guidance
- Washing limitations
Following these instructions helps maintain the fabric, comfort, fit, visibility, and protective features of your workwear.
For hi-vis workwear, many garments are certified for up to 25 washes, although some products may be certified for more depending on the manufacturer.
Over-washing can reduce visibility compliance over time, while not washing garments regularly enough can allow dirt and stains to reduce visibility and performance.
Use the Correct Water Temperature
Different fabrics and materials require different washing temperatures.
For example:
- Wool and delicate synthetic fabrics are often best washed in cold water
- Cotton and durable workwear fabrics may be suitable for warmer washes
Using water that is too hot can damage fibres, shrink garments, and reduce the lifespan of technical fabrics.
Always check the care label before washing your workwear.
Choose the Right Detergent
Not all detergents are suitable for workwear.
Some harsh detergents can damage technical fabrics, reduce water repellency, or affect reflective materials on hi-vis garments.
For best results:
- Use mild detergents where possible
- Avoid bleach unless specifically recommended
- Use specialist detergents for waterproof workwear when needed
Choosing the right detergent helps maintain garment performance and durability.
Avoid Using Fabric Softeners
Fabric softeners can coat fabric fibres and reduce breathability.
They may also interfere with:
- Waterproof coatings
- Moisture-wicking fabrics
- Water repellency
- Technical fabric performance
For waterproof and technical workwear, it is usually best to avoid fabric softeners completely.
Dry Your Workwear Properly
Drying workwear correctly is just as important as washing it properly.
High heat can:
- Shrink fabrics
- Damage coatings
- Reduce garment lifespan
- Affect reflective tape performance
For best results:
- Use low or medium heat settings where suitable
- Remove garments once dry
- Follow tumble drying instructions on the care label
- Air dry garments when recommended
Proper drying helps maintain garment shape, comfort, and durability.
How to Wash Hi-Vis Workwear
Hi-vis workwear requires extra care to maintain visibility and compliance.
For best results:
- Wash hi-vis garments separately where possible
- Avoid bleach and harsh detergents
- Do not overload the washing machine
- Avoid excessive tumble drying
- Inspect reflective tape regularly for wear or damage
Dirt, stains, fading, and damaged reflective materials can reduce visibility over time.
Common Workwear Washing Mistakes
Even high-quality workwear can wear out faster if it is washed incorrectly.
Common mistakes include:
- Ignoring the care label
- Using excessive detergent
- Washing hi-vis garments with dark colours
- Using bleach on technical fabrics
- Over-drying garments
- Using fabric softeners on waterproof clothing
- Washing garments at unnecessarily high temperatures
Avoiding these mistakes can help extend the lifespan of your workwear.
How Often Should You Wash Workwear?
Workwear should be washed regularly to remove dirt, grease, oils, and contaminants.
However, excessive washing may reduce the lifespan of some garments over time, especially hi-vis clothing.
The ideal washing frequency depends on:
- Your working environment
- Exposure to dirt or chemicals
- Type of garment
- Manufacturer care instructions
Keeping garments clean helps maintain comfort, appearance, and visibility on site.
How to Store Workwear Properly
Proper storage can help extend the lifespan of your workwear between uses.
For best results:
- Store garments in a dry, ventilated area
- Avoid leaving damp clothing folded for long periods
- Keep garments away from direct sunlight when not in use
- Hang waterproof garments where possible
Good storage practices help reduce fabric wear, odours, and moisture damage.
FAQs About Washing Workwear
Can you tumble dry workwear?
Some garments can be tumble dried, but always check the care label first.
Can fabric softener damage workwear?
Yes. Fabric softeners may affect breathability, waterproof coatings, and technical fabric performance.
How many times can hi-vis clothing be washed?
Many hi-vis garments are certified for up to 25 washes, although some garments may exceed this depending on manufacturer testing.
Can you wash waterproof workwear normally?
Waterproof garments often require specialist detergents and should avoid fabric softeners.
Why do hi-vis garments lose brightness?
Repeated washing, UV exposure, dirt, and general wear can reduce fluorescent brightness over time.
Keep Your Workwear Performing for Longer
Proper washing and maintenance help extend the lifespan, comfort, visibility, and performance of your workwear.
Following care labels, using suitable detergents, and avoiding common washing mistakes can help keep your garments site-ready for longer.
Explore the full range of VELTUFF® Workwear designed for demanding working environments.
