Tactical vests are a smart way of protecting one's self in an emergency. Body armor and tactical vests are both useful in saving a life, which is why making sure your tactical vest is properly maintained pays off in a big way.
Maintaining tactical vests is easier said than done because of the use of multiple different materials. For instance, when they become wet, some ballistic materials degrade. When dried, it usually regains its full functionality. Tactical vests and body armor panels are waterproof and ultraviolet light-protective since they are ultrasonically sealed in an envelope. This is the reason why it is crucial for tactical vest owners to know and follow the right maintenance tips to make sure their tactical vests are able to go the distance.
Cleaning Your Carrier Vest
Remove any ballistic panels from your carrier vest before cleaning it. The front and rear carriers should be hand washed in order to get the best results. The carrier may also be machine-washed in cold water with a mild detergent. Remember to always wash in a gentle cycle when washing the tactical vest in the machine. When finished, lay it flat to tumble dry or air dry using your dryer's lowest temperature setting. Although he acknowledges that wearing body armor stinks, he urges first responders to consider how vests are made to preserve your life. So it's important to take adequate care.
Roll New Tactical Vests to Increase Comfort
Although it appears counterintuitive to the recommendation to store your vest flat, armor customer support representatives urge consumers to roll up a new soft armor vest to increase comfort more immediately.
When you get your new vest, it is advised that you take the ballistic panels out of the carrier when not in use, roll them up, and fasten them with a rubber band. For a more comfortable vest, repeat the procedure between usage a few times in either direction, alternating between rolling both vertically as well as horizontally.
Don't Completely Submerge the Tactical Vest
Although soft ballistic armor may stop a bullet, it cannot be washed in a machine. Typically, waterproof sleeves with Kevlar/Aramid panels inside are put into either an internal or exterior carrier. You can get the ballistic insert wet without harming the fibers as long as the waterproof seal hasn't been compromised.
However, experts advise not immersing the insert only in case the seal has been compromised. When Kevlar is submerged in water, the material becomes looser and begins to deteriorate and disintegrate. It is advised to maintain the whole insert dry to avoid potential water entry in the event that the seal is damaged. You'll lose the protection when the fibers wiggle loose and split apart.
Bullets pass through when the weave starts to loosen. If the fibers have become too loose, the material cannot perform its function. In other words, avoid washing your soft armor because doing so will transform it into the heavy fabric with little ballistic value.
The carrier vest may be washed on its own in a gentle/delicate cycle; however, you should hang it to dry and avoid using fabric softener. All trauma plates, ballistic panels, and straps should be taken off and cleaned separately before being put back together. Your armor should only be put back together once the carrier has dried fully.
Storage of Your Tactical Vest
Let's get the record straight before we go into detail on how to clean your protective equipment. The time you spend cleaning your protective gear will be in vain if you can't find a convenient method to keep it. Reading the owner's handbook will show you that it is advised to hang the bulletproof vests and any other equipment in specific locations.
Many police officers keep their protective gear in a whole closet in their home so that it can properly air out. It's critical to properly clean your body armor. If you don't, it presents the same health hazards as wearing soiled gym attire, including the possibility of yeast infections, urinary tract infections, or really severe breakouts.
Read the Label
For instructions on how to wash the tactical ballistic vest, see the labels. Labels that are connected to your vest or the container should be present. If the vest you bought doesn't have any labels, go back to the shop right away.
Let's face it, the majority of us don't bother to read the directions. It's crucial to go by the instructions, whether you get them with the tactical vest or need to download them, to prevent unintentionally voiding the warranty. How to maintain and keep your armor should be included in the manufacturer's instructions.
Every vest is sent with care instructions so that users who receive them are aware of the mistakes that might damage the Kevlar Aramid fibers. If consumers truly want to get the most usage and safety out of their vests for years to come, they must read the instructions attentively and adhere to them exactly.
Get Additional Tips from Tactical Vest Forums
First responders provide tips on how to keep their body armor vests odor-free on numerous social media forums and Facebook groups. Before washing or spraying it with cleaning solutions or aerosols, you should always read the cleaning instructions on the item because chemicals and moisture can both undermine the integrity of the vest.
According to body armor users, some people complain about body odor problems with their armor according to the location, the amount of perspiration they produce, and how frequently they use the item.
Open the Zippers
Before washing the tactical vest, unzip every zipper. If they aren't, pull them all the way open to be sure they are. Take your vest out of storage and clean the inside of it of any dirt or debris. Pull all zippers open to the furthest extent possible to ensure complete accessibility.
Check all of the zippers and turn your vest inside out to make sure there is no more dirt inside. Please pull them fully open when you have fully opened them to make sure they are accessible. Then, to completely unzip each zipper, press down on each zipper tab on either side of the vest with your fingertips firmly placed on the tab's outside edge.
What About Ballistic Plates?
The best way to clean hard ballistic plates is with a moist sponge and a light detergent. In most cases, a waterproof wrapper surrounds soft armor inserts. With a sponge and a light detergent, you may clean this envelope.
If the envelope sustains damage, it should be repaired to maintain its waterproof properties. After the ballistic material has been removed, cotton carriers can be machine cleaned on a mild cycle, although hand cleaning is recommended. Carriers made of nylon or Cordura should be sponge-cleaned with a gentle detergent.
A few simple actions will help your body armor survive for a very long time, so find out more on tactical vest maintenance and find some of the best options at ShieldConcept.com.
