Vests

[falcon2]

Anybody have any recommendations as to what works best cleaning or deoderizing the vest panels not the carrier itself? I'm looking for off the shelf products only,nothing exotic.

[k9cop21811]

Febreeze and Downy Wrinkle Releaser. The Downy product isn't for smells specifically, but it works good and I like the smell of it better than Febreeze.

[JSavage]

That's good advice but, before spraying something to cover the odors, hang the panels on a line and wash them with soap and water, spray them with an antibacterial spray, and let it air out. Do this every couple of weeks and spray the smellies in between. The bacteria trapped on the surface of the panels causes a great deal of odor and not disinfecting them will make it harder to cover the odor as time goes on :) .

[CTMarshal999]

what will this do to the ballistic quality of the vest?

[SO548]

It should not do anything to the ballistic qualities of the vest as long as you don't dunk it in water or turn a garden hose on it. The material (whatever its made of) covering the actual kevlar panels should keep light moisture off of the panels.

[Shadowknows]

All of that is good advise. However why don't you call the manufacture and see what they say. I know from working in a non-air condition job that can be a hard question. I have used all the above and they seem to work for the most part, plus a little baby powder if I can be so bold:bounce:

[RDF105]

I take all of the kevlay out of my vest then I was it in the gentle cycle. Air dry it, then I sometimes spray it with Febreeze. Seems to work ok. I have white one, so I have to wash it every couple of months cuz it attracts dirt for some reason.

[Kegan30317]

I e-mailed the consumer affairs dep't of the company who makes Frabrezee (or however you spell it). The said the product had not been tested on Kelvar and given the critical nature of the vest, they would not recommend using it.

What I got out of that was they weren't sure so they were taking the safe road. I have a so called 'waterproof' vest (Second Chance). I have put a VERY light spray of Frabreeze on it. For the carrier of course, will use Frabreeze as well between washings.

[Ranger337]

Originally posted by Kegan30317
I e-mailed the consumer affairs dep't of the company who makes Frabrezee (or however you spell it). The said the product had not been tested on Kelvar and given the critical nature of the vest, they would not recommend using it..


Most vests have removable carriers. If you remove the carrier, I can see no real problem with using Febreeze on the carrier alone. I was told that the kevlar panels should be hand washed with a damp cloth avoiding soaking the Kevlar.

[Samurai004]

Ahh, why call the manufacturer? :confused:

Just wash it anyway you want for about four months and then shoot yourself in the chest, if you live then continue washing in the same manner.:clown: