Tips For Cleaning and Maintaining Body Armour

Taking Care of Your Body Armour the Right Way

With any piece of body armour, the most important thing is to take care of it so it will last and keep you protected. That’s why it is so important to properly maintain it. Body armour vests consist of many very distinct parts. There is a carrier for the font and the back, ballistic panels for the front and back, a soft insert to protect against trauma, and straps for the waist.

All of these pieces need to be maintained properly to not only make sure your vest lasts, but to ensure it is effective at protecting you when you need it most. Simply put, durability is crucial.

In this article, we will go over how to best care for your body armour.

The Importance of Proper Armour Care and Maintenance

The maintenance of body armour involves many aspects. Cleaning, assembling, and storing are all part of it. How you use your armour is also critical when it comes to durability. You need to know how to carry out each of these activities properly to ensure your body armour can both protect you and last for a long time.

Tips for Properly Caring for Body Armour

There are several steps involved in caring for your body armour. Let’s go through these steps to ensure that your equipment remains in tip-top shape.

Read the Care Instructions

This goes without saying. The manufacturer of your body armour knows the product better than anyone. They want you to be satisfied and they want you to be protected. They want your product to stand the test of time.

Always read the care instructions. Body armour care is not generic. It is based on the specific vest that you have. Therefore, you need to understand the maintenance that is required for your specific model. Some can’t even be cleaned.

Avoid Getting it Wet

Submerging your armour in water, even when washing, can break down the integrity, durability, and materials in your vest. Keep it away from moisture as much as possible. Avoid leaving the armour outside or anywhere it might be exposed to UV radiation.

Spot Cleaning

Your plates need cleaning too, despite being inside a carrier. You can take a damp wash cloth and wipe them clean on the front and back. But don’t use too much water as this can damage the plates. If your armour is very dirty, you can use a small amount of dish soap to ensure a thorough clean. Make sure, however, that all soap is removed when you’re done. Never put your armour in the dishwasher, washing machine, or dryer, clean it with a pressure washer or use an iron on it. Believe it or not, these methods have actually been reported.

Wear a Shirt Underneath

Friction along with sweat can be a bad combination. Just like hockey equipment, going bare skin under a vest will cause it to get filthy (and smelly) quite quickly. Protect your skin against chafing and protect your vest from odors. Period.

Hold onto Your Warranty

This also goes without saying. If anything goes wrong, you want to be covered. Body armour is costly and if there is an issue with it, you want to ensure your investment is protected.

Proper Storage

The best way to store your vest is to lay it flat. Never hang it over an edge or put it in a pile bunched up. Hanging your vest up can cause the elastic bands of a carrier to stretch out. This is due to the heavy panels weighing down the elastic bands. Again, you don’t want to damage or strain the integrity of your vest.

Avoid Sun Exposure

Just like UV exposure can wreak havoc on your skin, it can also break down your vest. You want to keep it away from the sun’s UV rays as much as possible to maintain its integrity.

Cleaning Tips

Don’t ever use harsh chemical cleaners on your plate carrier. Your plates are sealed against liquids, but that seal could be broken by chemical cleaners, especially cleaners such as bleach. Don’t ever use bleach on any part of your vest, including the carrier. A simple wash cloth is all that is needed to get your armour clean.

Assembling and Adjusting Tips

Always ensure that you insert your ballistic panels correctly. Body armour will come with directions on how to secure the panels properly. Take your time and ensure that the panels are well placed. Wrong placement can ultimately damage the carrier.

Also make sure you do not overload your carrier. Too much weight can reduce the effectiveness of the armour and will eventually take a toll on it.

Another big part of ensuring that the armour remains protective is ensuring that it fits correctly. When putting it on, raise the armour over your head and let it sit on your shoulders. You can then strap up the shoulder straps and waist straps. It’s also best to put the armour on while sitting down to ensure it fits well and is comfortable.

Extend the Life and Strength of Your Armour

Your body armour system is designed to work as a system. The panels must be kept in great condition and fitted properly to your body. Panels must be properly stored, cleaned, and cared for to ensure your safety and the integrity of the material. Any direct impact to your armour means its integrity has been lost and a replacement is necessary. Like a child seat, once impact has occurred, your safety is compromised. Speak to your local armour dealer for more tips on how to care for your vest.