How to Clean and Maintain Your Tactical Gear

The Importance of Proper Gear Maintenance

Your tactical gear may seem like it is in good condition, but you could be overlooking an important aspect of your equipment’s quality: cleanliness. Each piece of tactical equipment has its own specific cleaning instructions. By keeping your gear clean, you will preserve its life and properties. Read below to learn about how to easily clean the most vital parts of your tactical gear set.

Why Proper Cleaning and Maintenance for Tactical Gear Is Crucial

Tactical gear refers to clothing or tools that are most often used by military or law enforcement personnel. Cleaning is not only important for the appearance of your gear. Tactical gear that is used without routine cleaning can deteriorate in quality. By keeping your items in top condition, you are ensuring your own safety and ability to succeed.

General Maintenance Tips

There are a few general cleaning principles you should keep in mind for all of your gear.

When in doubt, you can always check to see if your gear came with instructions, whether on a label or from its packaging. You can always trust the gear’s manufacturer to know the specific precautions to take with their product.

Unless you are certain that your gear is waterproof, it’s a good idea to refrain from getting your gear wet. Water can actually break down the durability of and materials in your gear. Try not to leave your gear out in the sun, either – UV radiation can also affect some gear.

Spot cleaning is usually a better idea than placing an entire piece in the washer or dryer. See if using a small amount of water and/or soap is enough to tackle the stains or tear on your gear before taking further steps.

Note that reflective clothing has its own cleaning requirements.

There are also plenty of other cleaning principles to keep in mind – read more about them here.

Pants

Pants should be washed carefully to ensure that they keep the shape and durability. Before washing, make sure you remove pocket items, covers, and knee pads. Also, be sure to secure straps, close zippers and fasteners, and turn the pants inside out.

In most cases, you’ll want to use mild detergent, since harsh detergents can dull the pants, and wash in cold water.

If air-drying is an option, take it – this will keep the shape and properties of the pants.

Jackets

It may seem instinctual to put your jacket in the washing machine when it is odorous or dirty. If possible, it is actually better to spot clean your jacket. Still, if you are washing your jacket in its entirety, follow these steps: First, remove all pocket items and Velcro covers. Remove elbow pads as well. Then, close zippers, buttons and other fasteners – this will help prevent damage to your fabric. Lastly, folding your jacket before washing will protect the fabric’s integrity.

Hats

Hats are one of the easier pieces of gear to clean – you don’t need to worry about causing damage to Velcro, loops, or any other component of the hat. Make sure that you remove all documents or other items stowed inside the hat before washing.

Bag

Keeping a clean bag is more important than you may think. If your bag is worn out, the contents inside will get dirty too. Cleaning a tactical bag may seem like an unbearable chore, but following these steps carefully and one at a time will help you.

First, use a wet cloth to lightly wipe off debris on the outside of the bag. Remove the items and components of the bag that are detachable.

From there, you can either clean by hand or with a machine. If you are washing by hand, start with a stain remover – not bleach – and scrub with a soft brush. You may choose to fill up a bathtub with cold or lukewarm water if your bag is particularly dirty. Add a gentle cleanser to the water shortly after. After scrubbing, thoroughly rinse and hang up the bag to dry, unzipped and in an upside-down position.

If you are considering using a washing machine, ensure that your bag does not have decals or jewels – there may be a label offering instructions. You can try placing the bag in a laundry sheet to prevents zippers or straps from getting caught in the machine.

Learn more about cleaning tactical bags here.

Boots

Tactical shoes and boots can wear out quickly – especially when you’re an active professional. By keeping your boots clean, you’ll get more mileage out of them, saving you money and despair.

To clean a suede boot, start by brushing away larger pieces of mud or dirt with a towel. Then, remove surface stains by running a damp cloth over the boot. Scrub with a brush to get the dirt that is deep. Not satisfied? Dip a cloth in white vinegar to take care of the rest.

For leather, start by brushing dirt and dust off the boot, then wipe with a damp cloth. You’ll need to use polish to shine the leather in order to give it a full cleaning.

Learn more about maintaining tactical boots here.

Conclusion

You’ve learned about the importance of keeping your tactical gear set clean. You’ve also learned about the different steps required to give each piece of equipment the thorough cleaning it deserves. Just remember to check any instructions on labels or packaging before cleaning.