Safety Shirts 101

Hi-vis reflective safety shirts are an investment in visibility and safety. With the right care, they’ll stay bright, reflective, and comfortable—job after job.

Below are quick, proven tips on washing, drying, storing, inspecting, and knowing when it’s time to replace your gear.

Following the Tag Instructions

Always read the garment’s care label first. Manufacturer guidance is tuned to the exact fabric, dyes, and reflective tape used—protecting performance and any warranties.

1) Washing

• Use cold water: Hot water can fade fluorescents and stress reflective tape.
• Mild detergent only: Skip bleach, optical brighteners, and fabric softener.
• Turn inside out: Reduces abrasion on reflective areas during the cycle.
• No dry cleaning: Solvents can dull or damage retroreflective materials.

2) Drying

• Air-dry when possible: Hang in shade; avoid prolonged direct sun to limit fading.
• If tumbling, use low heat: High heat can shrink fabric and weaken tape adhesion.

3) Storage

• Don’t crease the tape: Avoid folding directly across reflective strips.
• Cool, dry, dark place: UV and moisture degrade color and reflectivity.
• Hang instead of fold: Preserves shape and keeps tape smooth and bright.

Inspect Your Shirts Regularly

After every wash, check:

• Color loss: Significant fading reduces daytime conspicuity.
• Tape condition: Look for cracks, peeling edges, or dulled reflectivity.
• Persistent stains/residue: Embedded grime can block retroreflection.

When to Replace Your Hi-Vis Shirt

Retire garments with heavy fading, damaged or non-reflective tape, or stains that won’t lift. Visibility is PPE—don’t compromise it.

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Our safety shirts are ANSI tested and are OSHA compliant, ensuring dependable visibility when properly cared for and worn as directed.

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Tip: Create a simple wash card for crews (water temp, detergent type, heat setting) and post it near laundry areas to keep care consistent.

Fading, fraying, and failing ANSI standards all chip away at your visibility. Hi-vis shirts are PPE, not merch—when performance drops, risk rises.

🔄 Why replacement matters

Color loss and worn reflective tape reduce daytime and nighttime conspicuity. That can also jeopardize ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 compliance and expose employers to liability.

⚠️ Five signs it’s time to replace

Pro tip: If the shirt is not clearly visible from ~1,000 ft day or night, retire it.

📅 Replacement frequency guidelines

There’s no hard expiration date, but many safety programs swap shirts every 6–12 months based on:

• Jobsite conditions (UV/sun, grime, chemicals)
• Frequency of use
• Laundering habits and heat exposure
• ANSI compliance requirements

✅ Stay compliant, stay safe

To remain ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 compliant, shirts must keep their color and retroreflective performance. Build in weekly visual checks and document replacements.

Our safety shirts are ANSI tested and are OSHA compliant, ensuring dependable visibility when properly cared for and replaced on schedule.

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