this post was submitted on 20 Mar 2025
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[–] woodenskewer@lemmy.world 37 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Hello electricians and safety nerds. Fabric softener removes the fire rating on fire rated clothing protecting you from arc flash hazards.

[–] bluewing@lemm.ee 3 points 1 day ago

Yes, and it will even say so right on the tags. At least it did on the 35 year old bunker gear I wore when I was young and a volunteer fireman in my small rural town. They had special washing instructions right on a big tag sewn on the inside to the coat and pants.

[–] boreengreen@lemm.ee 7 points 2 days ago (1 children)
[–] DanVctr@sh.itjust.works 10 points 2 days ago (1 children)

This is pure conjecture, but my guess is that the film of fabric softener left on the clothes would interfere with the fire retardant fibers/may be flammable itself.

[–] bluewing@lemm.ee 4 points 1 day ago

From my understanding, the old fire gear I wore as a much younger man, the fabric was treated with special chemicals that could be washed out if not laundered correctly.