M758

I just finished a 2-day 944-Spec race in temps of 100F to 105F abient and my racing suit is in dire need for a cleaning for obvious reasons.

What do you guys do for race suit cleaning?
Dry Clean or Water??

Are there any Special requirements for Dry Cleaning... or can I just take it to any ole dry cleaning place. Typical cost?

Also tips for cleaning socks & balaclavas???
I believe these can be whashed, but the suit cannot???

As you guys know this stuff is not cheap and I do not want to mess it up.


For Reference I have a Sparco SFI 3.2A/5 two layer suit colors black & white.


Thanks for your input
<img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />

SundayDriver

As I recall the suggested process is wash before you wear it, with some vinegar to set the color. You have passed that point. Dry cleaning is easier on the colors of the suit but you can wash it. After you have used it for a while and the colors are fading, it really is not worth dry cleaning any longer. FWIW I wash all my gear.

Other stuff (socks, etc) just normal washing.

Greg Fishman

I just wash my suit in cold water, with Woolite. Air dry. No fading problems as of yet.

Sloth

Read the directions. My Simpson suit says dry clean only, my father just throws his Sparco into the washing machine. Nomex baclavas and underware can be machine washed. However, I always let them air dry.

YMMV

SundayDriver

[quote]Originally posted by Greg Fishman:
<strong>I just wash my suit in cold water, with Woolite. Air dry. No fading problems as of yet.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Rub it in. You guys with roofs don't fade your suits. Mine looks great (color wise) on the legs but the shoulders are getting close to white. Guess it is time for a new suit - I am thinking Blue with Yellow top.

924RACR

One key point here - some detergents can kill the fire-retardant properties. I seem to recall that Tide is one of those. Use Woolite. You can always double-check on your underwear - just take an old sock or whatever, try to light it. I've heard underwear washed w/ Tide will light right up!!! <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" />

C Streit

ABsolutely right. ANY fabric softener will kill the fire retardent properties. Read the warnings on the back of your fabric sheets... It'll say this.

M758

Ok, Let me get this straight...

Race Suit...
Can wash in water, but coolors may fade (not real big deal with me)

Race Suit and underware..
Can wash in water, but DO NOT use regular detergents or Fabric softener. These will degrade fire resistance...


So...
I can wash my suit and underware in Cold water & Woolite with a NO HEAT drying process. The suit may fade, but everything should mantain fire resistance.

Is this right????

BTW... I can't make heads or tails of the little pictograms on the sparco label and I don't want to ruin the fire protection so this why I am asking.

Thanks

Sloth

Fire retardent items that are chemicaly treated will lose their effectiveness when washed. The fire retardent properties in Nomex are part of the fabric material itself and does not loose its effectiveness.

That is my understanding at least. Nomex no problem, anything else... your chance.

SundayDriver

[quote]Originally posted by 924RACR:
<strong>One key point here - some detergents can kill the fire-retardant properties. I seem to recall that Tide is one of those. Use Woolite. You can always double-check on your underwear - just take an old sock or whatever, try to light it. I've heard underwear washed w/ Tide will light right up!!! <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>

Why don't you guys dosome simple research before spewing advice that can affect someone's life. There is a huge difference between Nomex and the treated fabrics used in kids clothes, etc. Try a tool like Google and get your facts straight. (Hint - Dupont makes Nomex and can tell you all about it.) Sorry is this sounds harsh, it is supposed to sound that way - You are giving unsound advice about safety equipment.

M758

OK, I went to the Dupont Nomex website for FACTS.
I found this for industrial clothing applications. It is the same material NomexIII material as used in my race suit.

[quote]
Does NOMEX® Protective Apparel require special laundering techniques?
Normal home, commercial and industrial laundering and dry techniques are suitable. Because the flame -resistant protection is part of the aramid fiber it cannot be washed or worn out, even if the garment is mishandled. Recommended laundering procedures are available. Many companies consider industrial laundering programs to ensure their garments are thoroughly cleaned and properly maintained and to implement and manage their Protective Apparel programs.

NOMEX® Protective Apparel garments are extremely durable and stand up well to repeated launderings and use. Fabrics have very low initial shrinkage (1 % to 3% ) and maintain their size and shape over the life of the garment. NOMEX® Protective Apparel garments come out of the dryer ready to wear and rarely need pressing.

Chlorine bleach should not be used on NOMEX® protective garments. Chlorine bleach or other additives will not remove the flame protection as they can with flame-retardant treated fabrics; however, to preserve garment strength and prolong garment life, chlorine bleach should not be used.

Caution: Thoroughly remove greases, oily soil and other flammable contaminants from NOMEX® protective garments. Flammable contaminants serve as a fuel source and will reduce the thermal performance of any garment. Tears or rips should be repaired with components made from NOMEX® brand fabric, sewing thread, zipper tapes and patches.
<hr></blockquote>

Here is the Link
<a href="http://www.dupont.com/nomex/about_prot_apparel/faq_115_frame.html" target="_blank">Dupont Nomex Faq</a>

Also found this on the European Site also for industrial clothing

[quote]
Garments made with NOMEX® are made to last and are easy to maintain. They can be commercially laundered or dry-cleaned, using conventional methods without altering their ability to protect the wearer against heat and flame.
NOMEX® fabrics undergo minimal shrinkage (maximum 3 percent) and maintain their original size and shape over the life of a garment. In fact, NOMEX® garments come out of the dryer ready to wear and rarely require ironing.
The following document will help you to take care of your NOMEX® garment, but in any case, it is strongly recommended to follow the care instructions of the garment manufacturer, since some additional accessories or material may need specific attention.

Some guidelines about washing, drying of Nomex® garments and washing agents
(All of these comments supplement those in our Nomex® Wash and Care brochure.)



1. Temperature and duration of washing and drying cycles:
-It is adequate to wash Nomex® garments at 60°C. Using a higher temperature may not bring any benefit, and indeed may simply contribute to overall energy consumption.
-The washing cycle should not exceed 1 hour.
-It is important to include a rinse cycle that adequately removes residual soap and detergents.
-Drying can be done in a tumble drier and temperatures normally used are 60°C, or up to 90°C in industrial laundry environments. The important factor in drying is not to overdry. It is better to give the garments a shorter drying cycle and remove them while still slightly damp, than to remove them bone-dry. This is because excessive agitation can cause localised damage such as abrasion.


2. pH of soaps and detergents:
-Best is to use a liquid detergent with a near-neutral pH, certainly not exceeding pH 9.0. Liquids can be more easily handled than powdered soaps.
-If localised dirty oil stains are difficult to remove, they can be treated, before putting into the washing machine, with neat liquid soap applied to the locality of the stains and light rubbing to assist the action of the soap.
-It is known that particular attention must be given to pH of soaps used with garments in colours of navy blue, royal blue, greens and greys, and in these cases it is best to select soaps and detergents with pH of 8.0 or below.
-Nomex® garments should never be bleached by any chlorine bleach or strong oxidising agent such as peroxide, and under no circumstances should caustic washing agents be used

<hr></blockquote>

Here is the Link
<a href="http://www.dupont.com/nomex/europe/protectiveapparel/nomex/technical/wash_d.html" target="_blank">European Site - Wash & Care info</a>

Looks like I can wash it and retain fire resistance. Bleach is bad.

Greg Fishman

Read the front page of this website. Did you guys see the Corvette catch on fire at the ALMS race this weekend?

<a href="http://www.johnnyoconnell.com" target="_blank">http://www.johnnyoconnell.com</a>

Geo

[quote]Originally posted by M758:
<strong>What do you guys do for race suit cleaning?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Find a race in the rain?

Tom W

This is probably in the more info than you ever wanted department but...

Do not take the info from the European website to apply to the USA. Laundry detergents in Europe and North America are very different. US liquid detergents may be high pH, especially products from Lever Brothers (eg, Wisk). In the US, P&G products are usually closer to neutral pH. Always read the ingredients to ensure it doesn't have all fabric bleach (many types of Tide do). [I used to work for Unilever and formulated liquid laundry detergents.]

Greg's advice is probably best ... use a detergent you know is mild (like Woolite) unless it's really dirty (stained).

924RACR

[quote]Originally posted by Mark D - TT Alumni:
<strong>

Why don't you guys dosome simple research before spewing advice that can affect someone's life. There is a huge difference between Nomex and the treated fabrics used in kids clothes, etc. Try a tool like Google and get your facts straight. (Hint - Dupont makes Nomex and can tell you all about it.) Sorry is this sounds harsh, it is supposed to sound that way - You are giving unsound advice about safety equipment.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Well excuse the hell outta me for trying to make someone, in particular one new to the track thing, aware of some issue that MAY affect their safety! As has been pointed out further, some fire-retardant materials ARE affected by washing, and not everyone weares Nomex. Furthermore, I did not claim that my word was gospel; I was simply trying to raise the point.

Thank you for posting more definitive information than I had. That is relevant to the discussion and helpful and informative to all. Affecting someone's life? How so? I'd say the adverse effect would be when your fire-retardant suit isn't, and you need it to be! Unsound advice? Is there in fact any problem with washing any materials in Woolite? How about checking into it? That is, after all, the advice I DID give.

Please read my posts next time, closely, before taking direct shots. Or just don't quote me. I'd be fine with that.