Trails » Sports & Recreation » Recreation Safety & Health » Life Jackets » How to Clean Life Jackets

How to Clean Life Jackets

How to Clean Life Jackets
Whether by kayak, canoe or whitewater raft, when it comes to aquatic sports, you often trust your life to your life jacket. Keep a life jacket in working condition involves a bit of regular maintenance to ensure continued cleanliness and usefulness. A number of bad things can befall a poorly treated life jacket, from mildew to fraying. Thankfully, maintaining a life jacket doesn't have to be onerous or burdensome. All it takes is the right treatment and the proper cleaning methods.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:
  • Hose Wash bucket Mild detergent Scrub brush Sponge High-pressure nozzle Clothes hanger
  • Hose
  • Wash bucket
  • Mild detergent
  • Scrub brush
  • Sponge
  • High-pressure nozzle
  • Clothes hanger
Step 1
Wet your life jacket with the hose. Life jackets always benefit from a good rinse. Spraying your jacket down with a hose will remove any large impurities or surface dirts before washing the jacket in standing water.
Step 2
Fill wash bucket with cold water and mild detergent. You want to use less detergent than you would for an equivalent item of clothing. The idea is to have mildly soapy water that will disinfect your life jacket but not be too harsh on the specialized materials.
Step 3
Scrub mildew and stain areas with a coarse brush.
Step 4
Focus on the straps. Use the brush or sponge to scrape out grit from clips. Tighten and loosen the straps a few times to work out any dirt that might be trapped between the plastic clips and the fabric straps. During cleaning is a good time to check for fraying and other wear around the straps.
Step 5
Dunk vigorously, and wash the surface with a sponge. This should be enough to remove minerals and salts that build up on the surface of your life jacket after use.
Step 6
Rinse with the hose and high-pressure nozzle. Rinse thoroughly to make sure that all the detergent has been removed from the jacket.
Step 7
Hang your life jacket to dry in a shaded but well-ventilated location. Sun and heat can warp the flotation material and fabric, so make sure never to use artificial means of drying or sun drying. Store only after the jacket is completely dry.

Tips & Warnings

 
Make sure to rinse with cold water after every use, particularly if you are using the life jacket in seawater.
 
Have your life jacket tested at the beginning of every aquatic season by a reputable dealer.

Resources

Article Written By Louie Doverspike

Based in Seattle, Louie Doverspike has been a professional writer since 2004. His work has appeared in various publications, including "AntiqueWeek" magazine, the "Prague Post" and "Seattle Represent!" Doverspike holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Hamilton College.

Write for Trails.com

  • Editor's Pick

    Backcountry Camping Tips

    Backcountry Camping Tips

    You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...

    More Backcountry Camping...

  • Popular Article

    Beach Camping Near Pismo Beach, California

    Beach Camping Near Pismo Beach, California

    Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...

    More Beach Camping...

  • Featured Video

    Common Sense Hiking Tips

    Common Sense Hiking Tips

    The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.

    More Camping Basics...

Outdoor Gear & Equipment

ALL NEW Trails Gear Store powered by:

Trail Finder

US Map

Search by Keyword