Explanation of washing symbols & washing and maintenance advice

To keep your workwear nice and functional, it is important that you follow the washing instructions on the product label. Here is an overview of washing symbols that you can find on the label in your workwear:

Explanation of washing symbols

Washing and maintenance advice washing and maintenance advice

Washing and maintaining your workwear correctly is important for durability, functionality and comfort retention. It can also guarantee various safety functions. For example, dirty high visibility workwear reflects less well. Pay close attention to the following washing and maintenance instructions.

Head wash

Each product has specific washing instructions that must be followed. These instructions are adapted to the material and construction of the garment in question. If the label states "wash separately", this must be followed. If necessary, the garment can be washed with clothing of the same colour. Always take into account a shrinkage percentage of 3% for woven material and up to 5% for wool/jersey. Avoid shrinkage by ironing your work clothing after washing. Some garments need to be stretched to retain their shape. It is important to close zips, buttons and Velcro when washing the clothing. This reduces wear and tear and extends the life of work clothing. Clothing with reflective tape must be washed inside out.

Prewash

Pre-wash is usually not necessary. In case of heavy soiling, pre-wash can be used, but with the same amount of detergent as the main wash. Do not soak work clothes beforehand. Undissolved detergent can damage the clothes.

Laundry detergent

Use detergent for coloured clothing. Do not use detergent that contains bleach. Check whether the detergent is intended for the washing temperature of the garment. Follow the dosage instructions on the packaging. Please note: fabric softeners can damage certain fabrics and functions. For example, the breathability of water-repellent membranes can be affected. We therefore advise against fabric softeners. Do not use fabric softener under any circumstances to prevent damage to the reflection of high-visibility clothing.

Drying

We do not recommend tumble drying. It is best to shake out the garment after washing, smooth out the fabric and seams and let the clothing dry hanging or lying down.

Industrial washing

Industrial washing involves a large-scale, professional washing environment as opposed to domestic washing. Garments labelled "industrial washing" are suitable for this type of washing. The ISO 15797 certification covers industrial washing and drying, temperature, detergents and reactive substances that can be used. We recommend a test wash on the intended wash.

Washing work clothes with logo print

Printed workwear has different washing instructions independent of the garment and depending on the type of print. In most cases, the following rules apply:

  • Wool wash program
  • Wash inside out
  • Maximum 40ºC
  • No liquid detergent
  • Do not dry wash
  • Do not bleach
  • Do not spin
  • Do not tumble dry
  • Do not iron over the print

Please note: if the garment needs to be washed at an even lower temperature or if it cannot be ironed, this also applies.

There are exceptions with boil-resistant transfers, these are available from us on request and are sold per 50 pieces.

High visibility workwear

Contamination impairs the visibility of high-vis work clothing. It is therefore important to wash the clothing regularly and follow the washing instructions. Never wash high-vis clothing with detergents containing bleach, as this impairs the luminance of the clothing. High-vis clothing should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated area. If the clothing needs to be repaired, this should be done with fabric and thread that meet the work clothing standards.

Work shoes

Check that the sole, seams or upper are intact. Clean the shoes regularly with a brush, remove any stains with a damp cloth and use shoe polish on the upper leather. Never clean work shoes with substances such as petrol, acids or solvents. The shoes must be stored in a dry, well-ventilated space. Never dry damp work shoes near a heat source, such as a heater, radiator or in a drying cabinet. Let work shoes dry slowly at room temperature in a well-ventilated space.

Gloves

Store the gloves dry and cool. The gloves must not come into contact with fire. Consult the label of your gloves for the correct washing instructions or clean with a dry brush. Many work gloves are advised not to be washed.