How to Wash Hi-Vis Workwear So It Stays Certified

A hi-vis garment protects you in two ways: the fluorescent fabric makes you visible in daylight, and the retroreflective tape shines back in headlights. Both wear out with washing, dirt and abrasion. Wash it wrong and a class 2 jacket can stop giving class 2 protection long before it looks worn out.

Read the label first

Every certified garment has a label with the EN ISO 20471 pictogram, the class and care symbols. Look for two things:

• Care symbols – maximum washing temperature, whether tumble drying, ironing, bleaching or dry cleaning is allowed.
• Maximum number of cleaning cycles – often shown as a number next to the wash symbol. The garment was tested to keep its certified performance up to that number of washes.

If no maximum number of cleaning cycles is stated, the material was tested after 5 cleaning cycles in accordance with EN ISO 20471. The wash count is not the only factor: wear, dirt, UV and storage also shorten the life of a garment. For what the classes mean, see Hi-vis classes explained.

How to wash hi-vis

The care label of your garment always comes first. Within it, manufacturers of hi-vis clothing and reflective materials typically advise:

1. Close zips and Velcro and turn the garment inside out. This reduces friction on the reflective tape.
2. Wash with other hi-vis items. Keep it away from dark colours, jeans and rough fabrics that can transfer dye or scratch the tape.
3. Never exceed the temperature on the label. Higher temperatures fade fluorescent colours faster and can damage the tape.
4. Use a mild detergent. Avoid bleach, chlorine, optical brighteners, harsh stain removers and strongly alkaline products.
5. Skip fabric softener. It can leave a film on the reflective surface.
6. Rinse thoroughly.

Drying and ironing

• Air-dry when you can. Tumble dry only if the label allows it, on low heat, and take the garment out straight away.
• Do not dry on a radiator or next to a heater.
• Never iron directly over reflective tape. If ironing is allowed, iron on the reverse side at the temperature on the label.

Keep count of the washes

For a crew, nobody remembers how many times a jacket has been washed. Two simple methods:

• Mark a line on the care label with a permanent textile marker after each wash.
• Keep a list per worker with the issue date. If garments are washed weekly, the issue date tells you roughly when the wash limit is reached.

Hi-vis t-shirts are washed most often, so plan to replace them first. Having several per worker, such as the Portwest KX301 or the Pesso HVM, spreads the washes.

Clean is safer

Dirt reduces visibility too. A jacket covered in concrete dust or oil is less visible even if it is new. Clean hi-vis when it gets soiled, and brush off dry dust before washing. A garment with stains that will not come out no longer gives full protection.

Other workwear and PPE

• Winter and rain jackets such as the Portwest DX430: follow the label carefully – the waterproof membrane and seam tapes are sensitive to heat and softener. See EN 343 rainwear explained.
• Work trousers: empty the pockets, remove knee pads and close the holster pockets before washing.
• Safety boots such as the Pesso B249: brush off mud, dry at room temperature with the insoles out, and treat leather with a care product the manufacturer recommends.
• Helmets: clean with mild soap and water. Avoid solvents, paint and stickers unless the manufacturer's instructions allow them.

When to replace

Replace a hi-vis garment when:

• the maximum number of cleaning cycles has been reached;
• the fluorescent colour has clearly faded or turned grey;
• the reflective tape is cracked, peeling, missing or no longer shines in torchlight;
• the fabric is torn, burnt or worn thin, or stains will not wash out;
• the garment has been cut or altered so that the hi-vis areas are smaller.

For employers this is not optional: damaged or outdated PPE must be replaced. Browse hi-vis jackets, t-shirts and trousers, or order complete workwear kits.

FAQ

Is a garment still certified after more washes than the label says?

Its performance is no longer guaranteed. It may still look bright, but the tape and fabric were only tested up to the stated number of cycles.

Can I wash hi-vis at 60 °C to get it cleaner?

Only if the care label allows it. Higher temperatures than stated speed up fading and can damage the reflective tape.

Can we add a company logo to hi-vis?

A logo covers part of the fluorescent area. Check with the manufacturer that the garment still meets its class after printing.

Can I use an industrial laundry?

Yes, if the garment's care label allows industrial washing. Tell the laundry the items are hi-vis.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Always follow the manufacturer's care label and user instructions.