How to Keep Workwear in Perfect Condition Without Compromising Its Effectiveness

Workwear washing is a fundamental aspect to guarantee the safety, durability, and functionality of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), especially in high-visibility garments. Proper cleaning not only helps maintain aesthetics but also ensures that fabrics, fluorescent colors, and retroreflective bands retain their certified technical properties.

At T2S Ibérica, as specialists in high-visibility workwear, we know that each type of garment requires specific maintenance. In this article, we explain why following the manufacturer’s recommendations is crucial, what factors influence garment durability, and how workwear laundering should be carried out to extend its lifespan and preserve its protective qualities.

Table of contents

Why is workwear laundering so important?

Workwear laundering has a direct impact on worker protection and safety. A dirty, stained, or poorly maintained garment can lose visibility, reduce its mechanical resistance, or even fail to comply with current regulations, such as EN ISO 20471 for high-visibility clothing.

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That is why following the recommended washing protocols is not just a technical detail, but a practice that:

  • Ensures the effectiveness of the PPE for a longer time.

  • Prevents premature degradation of fabrics and reflective tapes.

  • Reduces costs arising from unnecessary replacements.

  • Complies with legal protection standards in demanding sectors.

Factors that influence the durability of workwear

Workwear washing is just one part of the lifecycle of a professional garment. The durability of the PPE depends on multiple combined factors and the quality of the materials used. Respecting the conditions of workwear washing is key to maintaining its performance and certification, as well as maximizing its useful life and ensuring the safety and protection of your workforce.

  • Type of fabric (cotton, polyester, CORDURA®, etc.): The fabric composition determines resistance to wear and replacement frequency. For example, recycled polyester offers greater durability against abrasion and is less prone to deformation after multiple washes.
  • Quality of retroreflective tapes: Not all reflective bands have the same resistance to use or washing. Segmented and heat-sealed retroreflective tapes provide greater flexibility, breathability, and durability against industrial washing, maintaining certified visibility for longer.
  • Number of washes indicated on the label: Each technical garment is tested to withstand a specific number of wash cycles. Exceeding this limit compromises reflective properties, fluorescent color intensity, and consequently, its high-visibility certification. Respecting this number is essential to maintain the effectiveness of the work PPE.
  • Exposure to abrasive, chemical, or mechanical agents: The work environment directly influences garment durability. Continuous contact with rough surfaces, chemicals, oils, or sharp materials accelerates fabric wear and deteriorates reflective bands even before completing their wash cycle.
  • Storage conditions (humidity, folding, etc.): Storing PPE in damp, poorly ventilated, or unprotected places can deteriorate fabric, cause mold, or affect reflective tapes. Proper storage — dry, hung, and ventilated — helps preserve technical qualities between uses.
  • Type of washing applied (domestic or industrial): Garments prepared for industrial washing — like T2S’s EVERWASH range — are designed to withstand high temperatures, aggressive detergents, and intense mechanical processes. Conversely, washing a non-industrial garment using this method can shorten its lifespan and degrade its reflective components.
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Key points for proper washing of high-visibility workwear

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It is very important to note that respecting the indicated number of workwear washing cycles is crucial. For example, if a garment has a lifespan of 25 washes, exceeding this can mean losing certified protection, failing to comply with occupational health and safety regulations, and putting your workers at risk.

At T2S Ibérica we make sure to remind you that each technical garment requires care adapted to its composition and intended use. Additionally, we offer a series of general tips to help you take care of your high-visibility workwear garments.

T2S Ibérica recommends following these tips to extend the lifespan and maintain the effectiveness of the garments:

  • Always read the internal label: it contains crucial information about temperature, detergents, and maximum number of cycles.
  • Close zippers, Velcro, and buttons before washing to avoid mechanical damage.
  • Wash garments inside out: protects retroreflective bands and fluorescent fabric.
  • Separate by colors and types of clothing: PPE should be washed separately to avoid color transfer.
  • Avoid excess detergent: it doesn’t improve washing and can leave residues or damage the garment.
  • Do not use fabric softeners, bleach, or harsh disinfectants: they compromise technical effectiveness.
  • Prefer cycles at 30 °C or 40 °C: reduce energy consumption and are gentler on the fabric.
  • Moderate spinning (max. 1,000 rpm) and remove clothes from the washer immediately after the cycle ends.
  • Air dry: avoid the dryer to prevent damage to fibers and reflective elements.
  • Spot clean with natural products such as Marseille soap or baking soda for localized stains.

Related articles

EVERWASH: High-visibility clothing designed for industrial washing

For companies that outsource workwear washing or need garments prepared for intensive industrial processes, at T2S Ibérica we offer the EVERWASH range: High-visibility clothing designed to withstand industrial washing without losing effectiveness.

This line is certified according to EN ISO 20471 and is designed to:

  • Withstand more than 50 industrial washing cycles at 60 °C.
  • Maintain its structure, color, and reflective properties even with aggressive detergents.
  • Be integrated into professional laundry processes without risk of deterioration.

EVERWASH is the ideal solution for:

  • Industrial laundries.
  • Large fleets of high-visibility uniforms.
  • Companies with high staff and equipment turnover.
  • Logistics centers or sectors with continuous work shifts.
  • Urban maintenance or infrastructure conservation companies.
  • Street cleaning and waste collection services.
  • Subcontracted companies with strict hygiene or dress code regulations.

The EVERWASH high-visibility clothing is designed to provide durability, efficiency, and reliability in environments where industrial washing is an operational requirement. Among its most notable benefits:

  • Certified durability: Maintains its effectiveness after more than 50 industrial wash cycles at 60 °C, meeting the requirements of the EN ISO 20471 standard.
  • Full compatibility with professional laundries: Withstands aggressive detergents, high temperatures, and drying processes without losing color or reflectivity.
  • Lower PPE turnover: The durability of the garments significantly reduces the need for frequent replacements, optimizing the workwear budget.
  • Uniformity in large volumes: Ideal for companies with large teams or continuous rotation, ensuring a consistent and professional image.
  • Logistical optimization: Facilitates centralized management of technical clothing for operators relying on external washing services.

In addition, the EVERWASH range is compatible with our BOX SECOND LIFE system, which enables the responsible, efficient, and sustainable collection and recycling of used clothing:

  • Full PPE life cycle management: From intensive use to certified recycling, everything is managed under one technical provider.
  • Waste and emissions reduction: Used garments are converted into Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF), avoiding landfill and reducing the carbon footprint by up to 230 kg of CO₂ per ton processed.
  • Ease in audits and regulatory compliance: The entire process is traceable, documented, and compatible with ESG policies, facilitating inspections and certifications.
  • Operational simplicity: A single point of contact manages both supply and collection/recycling, reducing time and administrative processes.
  • Environmental reputation: Clearly and credibly communicate your commitment to sustainability, both internally and externally.
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Workwear Washing and Sustainability: Efficiency and Circular Economy with T2S Ibérica

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At T2S Ibérica, we not only design durable, high-visibility workwear resistant to intensive washing. We also commit to solutions that actively contribute to the sustainability of professional clothing.

Proper workwear washing not only preserves the effectiveness of fabrics and retroreflective bands. It also reduces replacement frequency, extends the lifespan of PPE, and optimizes investment in technical apparel.

Moreover, we go one step further: offering the possibility to close the lifecycle of your PPE responsibly with our BOX SECOND LIFE system.

We collect used garments to transform them into Recovered Solid Fuel (RSF). This solution:

  • Prevents the dumping of textile waste.

  • Reduces up to 230 kg of CO₂ per ton treated.

  • Gives a second life to high-visibility garments.

  • Promotes an efficient circular economy with guaranteed traceability.

  • Contributes to reducing the environmental impact of high-visibility clothing production.

Do you have questions about how to properly wash your high-visibility garments?

Workwear washing is much more than a cleaning process: it is a strategic action that influences the safety, durability of your PPE, and the environmental impact of your company.

At T2S Ibérica, we help you choose the best solutions based on your sector, clothing volume, usage conditions, and type of washing (domestic or industrial). If you are looking for certified, high-quality clothing that is resistant to multiple cycles or want to implement an efficient recycling policy, contact our technical team for personalized assistance.

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FAQ’s

Because the instructions ensure that the PPE maintains its technical properties, such as high visibility or abrasion resistance. Incorrect workwear washing can affect the fabric’s effectiveness, damage the reflective tapes, and reduce the uniform’s lifespan.

Industrial workwear washing is done at higher temperatures, using strong detergents and intense mechanical processes. Only garments specifically designed for this, like those in the EVERWASH range from T2S Ibérica, can withstand this type of treatment without losing effectiveness, visibility, or certification.

The rest of the high-visibility garments—outside of EVERWASH—are intended for domestic washing, which is a gentler method but still requires careful attention. Using water above 40°C, fabric softeners, mixing colors, or ignoring the indicated number of wash cycles can damage the fluorescent fabric and retroreflective bands.

Both methods of workwear washing are valid but must be applied correctly depending on the garment type. Following the manufacturer’s recommendations is key to ensuring safety, durability, and regulatory compliance.

Frequent washing of workwear without proper care can reduce the retroreflective capability of the reflective bands, compromising the worker’s visibility. That’s why it’s essential to wash garments inside out, avoid fabric softeners, not mix colors during washing, and respect the water temperature and the number of wash cycles indicated on the manufacturer’s label. You should also consider whether machine washing is allowed or not.

It depends on the usage and work environment, but frequent washing of workwear is recommended to remove dirt, grease, or dust that may affect visibility. Additionally, maintaining proper cleaning of reflective workwear helps comply with the EN ISO 20471 standard.

It allows comprehensive management of the PPE lifecycle: from its resistance to intensive industrial washing to its sustainable recycling as Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF). Thus, workwear washing not only ensures durability but also environmental efficiency. Contact our technical team for personalized advice and to choose the ideal solution for your company.