Cleaning vests/rigs etc.

[DanBow]

After a particularly sweaty day on Sunday, my chest rug was left a little damp. How are you all cleaning yours? I know I can't just throw it in the washing machine! Is Fabreeze the way to go? 🤷‍♂️

[JimFromHorsham]

Dunk it in a bucket of water or hose it off , leave it to dry .

[Impulse]

Most of the time I just hang it up and leave it to air. If it's bad, I'll give it a hose down first.

[MrTea]

Most times I just hang it up outside to air off. If it gets particuarly bad, put some washing gear in a bucket with warm water and give it a couple swirls/dunks. Leave for about 30 mins, rinse in clean water and hang dry.

[Tommikka]

Actually …. the washing machine is not an absolute no.

 

But whenever I’ve needed to give vests, chest rigs etc a good clean I have dunked them in the bath after me, left them in the bath or over the bath to drip overnight and then hung up.

 

For the washing machine:

dismantle / remove any possible separate pouches 

Ensure every pouch, pocket, lining etc is empty

turn it inside out and zip it up, buckle it etc (on the assumption that any dangly bits such as fixed pockets, straps etc will then be inside the main body)

put it inside something 

(the something would ideally be a net laundry bag, but could be a pillow cover or other fabric bag - this aims to protect the vest from your washing machine drum and your drum from the vest)

run the machine on a reasonable setting, such as not the fastest spin

 

Be amazed at how pristine it is on completion and don’t complain to me if it gets ripped/your machine breaks down/you get caught by your other half

 

[Jefferson2000]

Bang it in the shower or bath for a quick dip with some washing powder, then leave it to drip dry over the bath. 

 

 

[Rogerborg]

As above, and if there's any sign of mould, dilute white vinegar spray.

[Spartan09]

TBH, I just disassemble my rigs and throw them in the washing machine.

 

I just take the pistol holster and the grenade clamps etc off the vest. But i leave the mag pouches on, as they are velcro close pouches with no dangle bits of elastic or string to get snagged in the mechanism.

 

Run the washing machine on 40°C on sports setting with a liquid detergent tab and some scent booster granules in the drum, fabric conditioner in the drawer.  Then where possible, hang outside to dry

Edited 6 hours ago by Spartan09

[Enid_Puceflange]

coincidentally, Evike did a video on this a couple of days ago

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 5 hours ago by Enid_Puceflange

[ButcherBill]

use a foam gun attached to the garden hose & fill the container with diluted fabric soap.