FEATURE
WORKWEAR’S DIRTY SECRET: IT’LL ALL COME OUT IN THE WASH
Although we all know the importance of wearing proper workwear, few of us will put much consideration into how best to clean it. However, F Engel works with several companies across the UK and Ireland to ensure it is cleaned properly. Here, they tell us why this is so essential.
One of the primary purposes of workwear, no matter what type of work is involved, is to help protect the wearer from injury and reduce the risk of accidents in the workplace. But just wearing it is only half the battle; a fact that is very often overlooked is that it’s just as important to ensure that workwear is properly maintained so that it performs to maximum efficiency at all times; and that means it is the duty of both the individual and employer to make sure all types of workwear are kept clean, hygienic and fit for purpose.
Cleanliness is vital as failing to wash all work garments properly can lead to the risk of infection for both the wearer and the people with whom they work; dirt, oil, grease and other substances, if ignored, can also lead to deterioration and a subsequent reduction in protective efficiency
56 | Tomorrow’s Cleaning Ireland
or worse, if not regularly inspected, actually cause accidents through stitching or fastenings becoming loose from gradual weakening.
But simply throwing dirty garments into a domestic washing machine at home is not enough. The average temperature used at home is 48°C, but bacteria can only be thoroughly destroyed when garments are boiled or washed at over 73°C.
It’s a common misconception to think that domestic washing of work clothes is sufficient; they may look clean and smell fragrant but will not necessarily be microbiologically hygienic. What’s more, PPE that is washed at home might actually be damaged during each washing cycle, causing the slow erosion of protective qualities such as within high-visual strips or infection-resistant fabric, resulting in non-compliance with health & safety
or internal hygiene regulations. So employers in particular should be aware of the false economy of allowing home laundering or in using a non- specialist contractor, as the integrity of every garment that is not correctly laundered and inspected can be put at risk with the resultant responsibility resting heavily on management’s own unprotected shoulders.
“Cleanliness is vital as
failing to wash all work garments properly
can lead to the risk of infection for both the
wearer and the people with whom they work.”
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