Product Guide - Washing and handling
General washing advice for Loxy Seal and Loxy Rex
The LOXY reflective materials and seam sealing tapes can be used for a wide variety of applications and washing requirements. Consult your LOXY contact before developing new products to ensure that the right LOXY product is chosen, ensuring optimal performance and washing property.
Always consult your chemical supplier for relevant wash processes. Washing conditions will depend on legal demands in your country (e.g. demand for disinfecting treatment) and on degree of soil/dirt from the use of garments. If possible turn the inside of the garment out and close zippers and similar fixing closing fixtures before washing.
Always follow the stated instructions on the garment and technical data sheet on the corresponding LOXY product. Any advise is only to be taken as indication and does not incur any responsibility for LOXY.
Domestic washing
All products are tested according to parameters stated in the ISO 6330.
Below is additional guidelines.
- Use of colored washing program, and detergent for delicate or colored garments are recommended.
- No pre-soaking or pre-wash program.
- Avoid use of high alkaline chemicals, like stain removal etc.
- Do not over dry, temperature of garment should not exceed 70°C.
- Avoid softeners
Industrial washing
Gentle approach
The tape may be washed in industrial sized machines, following the other guidelines of ISO 6330. Generally it is advised to wash at 60°C. Avoid softeners and use only a minimum or no disinfecting chemicals, as these may influence appearance/life time of reflective material, seam sealing tapes, buttons and/or zippers etc.
Normal approach
ISO 15797 is the guideline for industrial wash, referred as “normal approach” by LOXY.
- If local demands/legislation require higher temperature/industrial laundering you may follow EN 471, Annex B and test according to ISO 15797, table 4 (column 8, i.e. 75°C washing for ca. 20 minutes) to see effects on garment/reflexes.
- Avoid PH values in main wash above 10. Neutralize in rinsing process.
- Avoid the use of alkali boosters and replace such by solution containing silica or other PH reducing content.
- Neutralize in rinsing process in order to reach the pH of 5,5 minimum. Consult your chemical supplier.
- Always wash Hi Vis garments separately.
- Secure the optimal color fastness from your garment supplier on multi-colored garments.
- Time between washing and drying and time in e.g. tumbler after drying should be as short as possible.
- Avoid over drying, outlet temperature on tumbler should not exceed 90°C. If tunnel finisher (steamer) drying is used, secure reduced drying temperature.
- Do NOT use detergents which contain free sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide.
- Avoid solvents.
- Do NOT use chlorine or perborated bleach.
- Avoid softeners.
- Demands for disinfection may vary from country to country and even within the country. Check with your chemical supplier. For Germany you may refer to Roberth Koch Institutes Guideline
- Please note that the use of aggressive chemicals including disinfectants and high temperatures in washing and drying may limit the performance and life time of the reflective material. Consult your chemical supplier.
- A suggestion for a washing recep – tested for optimal lifetime and performance – may be supplied on demand.
Handling and storage
Proper inventory control will ensure that your tape maintains optimal shelf life (up to 2 years).
- Store in cool, dry area in original package
- Avoid high temperatures
- Avoid high humidity conditions (< 75%)
- Use FIFO (first in first out) stock methods
