How to Clean Your Work Gear for Your Contracting Business

A man with tools in the back of a truck.

When you put in a hard day of work for your contracting business, your work gear will show all the signs. The dust, dirt, and grime is only the beginning. If you want to keep your gear in good condition, you’ll need to learn how to take care of it. Here are a few tips.

Treat Based on the Fabric
Treating your clothes based on the fabric may require you to use separate approaches with different clothing. Most types of work clothes are cotton, polyester or some combination of the two. Synthetic fabrics are meant to be relatively easy to clean, so you can probably just drop them in the washer without too much worry. For 100% cotton, use cold water and a low agitation cycle, so that they don’t shrink.

If you wear jeans regularly, try turning them inside out and washing them in cold water. This helps to keep the dye from bleeding onto your other clothes, and also minimizes wear. Pulling them out of the dryer when they are still a little damp will help to increase their longevity.

Remove Stains
One of the best ways to prevent long-term stains in your work clothes is to treat those stains as quickly as you can. It’s all right if you don’t have the ability to immediately change clothes and use appropriate cleansers on the stain. When you first notice the spill, use a dry cloth to blot as much of the liquid as possible. You might be able to scrape off something thick with a putty knife. When you get home, use salt or baby powder to absorb oils. You’ll be able to shake off the excess once it dries. For most organic stains like dirt, a drop of dish soap and an old toothbrush may be more than sufficient.

Use Machine Washers and Dryers Correctly
Although using a machine to wash and dry your clothes is extremely convenient, it’s not always the best way to get them clean. Some materials aren’t meant to go through a machine washing, although you’re less likely to wear them as part of your work gear. Before you drop a load into the washer, be sure to read the washing instructions on each clothing item. If you’re trying to get out a stain, it’s important to be careful about the temperature of the water, as well as the drain cycle. Hot air can cause a stain to set. That doesn’t mean you’ll never be able to remove it, but it does make it more difficult.

Learn How to Strip Fabrics
On occasion, you may need to strip your work clothes to get them cleaner. Stripping is a specific process that removes a lot of problems related to accumulation, such as hard water buildup or sweat stains. To strip your work clothes, you’ll need:

Dissolve the powders in hot water and put the clothes in the water, making sure that they are completely submerged. Let it sit for several hours, then rinse and drain. You may have to complete this process more than once.

Sanitize Protective Gear
Of course, you may also need to clean reusable PPE. The way that you do this depends on the type of gear. For example, if you’re cleaning goggles, you’ll want to put on a pair of gloves, wipe all surfaces with a cleansing wipe, and then use an appropriate disinfectant. For cloth protective gear, you should wash it on the hottest setting with a limited amount of detergent, and then dry it on a hot setting as well. If the item is not meant to be reused, you should plan to throw it in the trash as soon as you are done using it.

Keeping your work gear in its best condition is part of running a successful contracting business. For expert guidance on passing the contractor licensing exam, contact CSLS today!