RED KAP INDUSTRIES Technical Information Bulletin RK-55

100% Cotton Flame Resistant Garments Recommendations for Care and Maintenance

Red Kap 100% cotton flame resistant garments are made from fabric treated with flame retardant chemicals. This process forms a phosphorus polymer in the cotton fiber as part of the fabric finishing process.

The garments can be laundered at temperatures normal to cotton garments. With the exception of FR denim, these garments can also be dry cleaned. Do not dry clean 100% cotton denim as the indigo dye system will fade and bleed into the solvent.

Important considerations are avoiding chlorine bleach which will destroy the FR properties and removing flammable soils or chemicals that can overwhelm the FR properties. Abrasion of the fabric and coating of the fiber may also effect FR performance. Do not use soap.

Industrial Laundry

• Use non-ionic formulas. Do not use natural soaps (anionic or tallow soap) sometimes used for cotton laundering. Hard water can precipitate soaps and also contains calcium and magnesium salts that can coat the fiber and mask the flame resistant properties.
• Do not bleach. The use of chlorine bleach will react with and remove the FR polymer and lead to the loss of flame resistance. Oxygen bleach can affect the color of the napthol dyed navy garments.
• It is recommended that starch, fabric softener, and any laundry additives other than sour not be used as they can coat the fiber and mask flame resistant performance or serve as fuel in case of combustion.
• If garments are heavily soiled with particulate or abrasive soils, a flush at the beginning of the cycle to remove this matter will help reduce abrasion in the wash wheel. Wash formula and load size should be set up to minimize redeposition and fabric abrasion.
• Extract by normal practice for any 100% cotton garment.
• Condition at 165°F stack temperature so that fabric temperature measured in the basket does not exceed 280°F. Normal shrinkage of up to 5% can be expected. As with any 100% cotton fabric, excessive shrinkage may occur if overdried.
• Press by normal cotton pressing techniques.

• Do not use soap. use any typical home laundry detergent.
• Do not bleach or use detergents containing bleach.
• It is recommended that starch, fabric softener, and any other laundry additive not be used as they can coat the fiber and mask flame resistant performance or serve as fuel in case of combustion.
• Do not overdry.

• Either perchloroethylene or petroleum solvent can be used. With petroleum, it is necessary to ensure that all solvent has been completely dried from the garment. With both solvents, the garments must be free of redeposition of any kind. Do not dry clean indigo dyed FR denim.

The information in this bulletin is based on the results of testing in our laboratory and information from the fabric vendor. It is provided for your guidance and knowledge. While it represents up to date information regarding care and maintenance of 100% cotton flame resistant garments, no warranty is expressed or implied.