How To Clean Your Body Armor Without Damaging It

 

How to Clean Body Armor Plates
Before cleaning your armor plates, always read the manufacturer instructions. You should also familiarize yourself with the material of construction and plan accordingly. Certain materials react differently than others, so it is crucial to understand what your armor is made of in order to ensure proper care is taken. Remember to clean your plates and armor separate from your carrier as the cleaning method varies and a mistake can decrease the effectiveness of your equipment.

ballistic vest insert going into concealable body armor carrier

After removing the armor from your carrier, remove surface dirt from the plates using a non-abrasive sponge or a soft microfiber towel and cold water. Hard armor plates often have a water resistant coating, such as polyurea, which makes it easier to wipe down and maintain.

Soft armor does not necessarily feature this coating, so keep a few things in mind to know how to clean ballistic nylon. It is vital to use cold water as heat can potentially cause some deformation. Unless specifically indicated by the manufacturer, avoid using chemicals such as bleach to clean your vest package, as they can impact the integrity of the armor and decrease the effectiveness.

Avoid soaking or submerging your armor plates; this can also impact the armor's integrity. At this point, surface level stains or blemishes are nothing but visual markings and should not impact the ability of the armor to provide protection.

Armor should be air dried separate from the plate carrier on a flat surface. Avoid any positions that could lead to unnecessary deformation, and dry your armor plates indoors and away from sunlight, as ultraviolet radiation has been found to compromise the integrity of many materials featured in ballistic protection equipment.

Hand Washing Body Armor Vests
Hand washing soft body armor vests is an essential task to maintain their effectiveness and prolong their lifespan. Most vests have removable ballistic components such as trauma plates or ballistic panels. Our soft armor ballistic packages and backpack panels are kevlar and encased in ripstop, a waterproof material, however, you should never fully submerge the ballistics in water.

The backpack panels also feature an additional outer cordura layer, which is water resistant. Both of these materials can be wiped down, but cordura is a fabric and may take longer to dry. When washing, these elements should be detached first and cleaned separately if possible. An all-in-one vest, without removable components, requires extra caution.

It's essential to use a specialized body armor detergent or a ballistic vest cleaner, steering clear of regular detergents or bleach, which can harm the vest's protective fibers. This unique detergent is designed to cleanse dirt, sweat, and odor without compromising the vest's protective qualities and generally contains fewer harsh chemicals and is fragrance-free.

To cleanse the vest carrier, submerge it in a sink or bathtub filled with cold water and the specialized detergent, gently moving it around to loosen any dirt and grime, then rinse thoroughly and gently squeeze out any remaining water.

Finally, lay the vest carrier flat to dry in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight or heat. Do not machine wash or dry the vest as this can cause irreversible damage. By following these steps, and reading the manufacturer directions, you can ensure your body armor vest remains in top condition and provides the necessary protection when you need it most.

How to handle odors in body armor that smell bad
Body armor that is worn day in and day out, such as the protective equipment worn by police officers, is more prone to odors caused by sweat, bacteria and other environmental factors. If your body armor has an unsavory odor, there are several things you can do to tank the stank.

First, hand wash your outer body armor carrier with a specialized detergent or cleaning products as mentioned prior. If that is ineffective, you can try odor eliminating compounds such as activated charcoal or baking soda. Simply place a bag of either product in close proximity to the vest and let sit for a few hours or overnight. These products work to absorb and neutralize odor.

If the odor persists, you may want to repeat the handwashing process with an enzyme based detergent specifically designed to break down organic matter and odor causing bacteria. Remember that using harsh chemicals such as bleach can damage the integrity of your body armor, so always use a specialized detergent and follow manufacturer instructions.

For someone in a dangerous line of work, such as a police officer or military personnel, a plate carrier or body armor setup is a legitimate piece of equipment and should be treated with care. In order to get the most out of your equipment, it is recommended that you regularly clean your plates and plate carriers, as wear and tear can reduce the effectiveness