Sometimes, your life jacket gets dirty and messy. In such a situation, you might be curious: can you wash life jackets to eliminate those stains and whiffs without obliterating them?
Well! In this article, we will answer such queries along with some ways that will surely help you in cleaning life jackets.
Washing Life Jackets
A heavy, thick smell greets you when you open the compartment of your life jacket. Your life jackets are encrusted in mildew and fungus from last season. You can’t put it on as it is not as worthy as to wear since there isn’t anything worse than putting on a life jacket that is damp, smelly, or tattered.
In such a situation, your perfect day is further hampered by the gross life jacket you want to wear all day. Your question, “Can you wash life jackets?” becomes more valid. Yet, no worries! Your answer is in your favor as you can wash your life jackets. Hence, you will not have to deal with another filthy jacket in the future.
How to wash Life Jackets?
After getting an answer to your main question,can you wash life jackets? You may be curious about the next question ishow to wash a life jacket.However, it is a common question but a crucial one. Cleaning life jackets are necessary to get rid of mold, sunscreen, and other pollutants.
One of the best ways to wash life jackets is to use mild soap and running water. Employ a soft bristles brush at the stains gently. Again, rinse with water. Hopefully, the jacket will be pretty clean.
However, if you even notice any stain, repeat the process. When the life jacket is perfect, hang it up to dry out of direct sunlight. Please don’t put it back into use or a storage space until it is scorched.
What will you need to Clean Life Jackets?
You must have the following items for cleaning life jackets properly unless you’re simply interested in learning how to clean life jackets.
a. A Plastic Bucket
Find a large bucket at first; keep in mind that bucket should have the capacity of 5 gallonsof water.
b. A Sponge
Any regular, commonly used sponge will work just well.
c. A bar of soap or detergent
Prefer to use a regular dish cleaning soap from the kitchen.
d. Hose with Shower
A hose with a high-pressure setting will be required.
e. Soft Bristles Brush
A soft brush or an old toothbrush will be fine for cleaning life jackets.
Best Ways to Clean Life Jackets
This section will guide you about some best ways to clean life jackets. So, continue reading the article.
1. Using Water and Soap
Step 1. Rinse the Life Jacket
It would be helpful to hose out your life jacket with clean water to remove any dirt particles before beginning the cleaning procedure.
Step 2. Fill your Bucket
Add a few drops of light dishwashing detergent and clean water to your bucket most of the way up. The water can be moderate or cool, but generally speaking, it’s best to avoid boiling water in order to protect the surfaces.
Step 3. Dip your Life Jacket in the Water
Lower your life coat in soapy water.
Step 4. Scrub It
With your soft brush, gently scrub the jacket to remove any stubborn stains or soil. However, you can use a wipe on the textural areas and a soft brush on the lash and clasps.
Step 5. Rinse it all Away
After thoroughly washing the life jacket, flush it with clean water from your shower or hose.
Step 6. Allow It to Dry
Once your life jacket has been cleaned and cleared of any cleaners, hang it to dry. However, you can dry it by draping it over the shower or bath. If you can do it in a dark room and avoid directly facing the sun, you might find that doing it outside is the best option.
2. Cleaning a Stained Life Jacket
Step 1
Cleanse or gently brush away your life jacket’s dirt, form, and stains. Some of it would immediately flake off, but a few deeply embedded stains would require more effort to remove.
Step 2
Pour a solution of 1/3 hydrogen peroxide and 2/3 water over any residue, stains, or lumps. Allow the mixture to absorb into the stained life jacket by placing it in the sunlight for thirty minutes.
Step 3
Use your wipe, soft brush, or rag to clean the areas where you applied the solution once more.
Step 4
Thoroughly wipe the smeared life jacket with water.
Step 5
Repeat the process of using a solution of water and cleaner to clean rotten and damaged areas.
Step 6
Thoroughly flush with fresh water.
Step 7
Hang your life jacket in an open space where it will be exposed to the most sunlight. If you intend to keep it once again, wait until it has dried adequately before doing so.
3. Cleaning your Life Jacket with Salt
Step 1
Prepare a salty water solution. Use sufficient water to submerge the life jacket fully. For each liter of water, add around 1/2 cup of salt.
Step 2
Soak the jacket in the mixture for the entire day.
Step 3
Drain the life jacket’s solution, then scrub it carefully, paying close attention to any places where mold or mildew may have grown.
Step 4
Reiterate steps five, six, and seven from the above method.
It could be a good idea to get a new life jacket if neither of these methods is able to remove the shape, accumulation, or smell of your current one.
Things to avoid while washing Life Jackets
Avoid using chlorine bleach directly on a jacket since it can damage the inside foam and fabric. Additionally, avoid using acetone, gasoline, paint thinner, or industrial cleaning products for cleaning life jackets.
They can damage the outside fabric and destroy the foam that keeps the gadget functioning. Furthermore, avoid bending life jackets or putting heavy objects on top of them because doing so could lead to performance harm.
The Final Thought!
This is all about cleaning life jackets thoroughly. We have also provided you with some best ways to clean life jackets that may act as great alternatives for you. To ensure that your life vests last as long as possible, keep in mind to be careful and take care of them.
Moreover, these alternative ways will allow you to protect the life jackets’ inner foam and outer cover. If you decide to store your life jacket, be careful not to fold or bend it awkwardly. Simply put, this shortens the life of your life vest and damages its design.
Frequently Asked Question
- Can you wash life jackets?
- A. Yes, you can wash life jackets to get rid of stains and pollutants. Moreover, you may also need cleaning life jackets to prevent the growth of mold and mildew.
- How to wash life jackets?
- A. Use a gentle cleanser with water. Employa fibers brush at the stains kindly. After that, wash with water.
- Does cleaning life jackets tricky?
- A. Cleaning life jacketsare not as tricky as people think. There are many best ways to clean life jackets, and you can choose the one according to your preference.
- Do life jackets have an expiry date?
- A life jacket has no expiration date. Still, if it has been repaired or reversed, it is no longer functional and needs to be replaced and disposed of for recycling.
- Can you wash life jackets in the washing machine?
- A. Generally, you may wash all nylon and fluffy, flat jackets, vests, and coats in your washing machine. However, they should be cleaned on a low setting with cold water and regular detergent.