Laundry Tips

Can I Wash My Army Gear in the Washing Machine?

April 17, 2019

Save Time and Money Washing Your TA-50 Gear

There comes a time when every soldier has to turn in their gear. While you may be more focused on all of the excitement awaiting you after turning in your gear, you don’t want to neglect the gear itself. The United States Army has strict inspection standards, and your TA-50 gear is subject to the same level of scrutiny. If you turn in dirty gear, you are going to be charged for it, and that can amount to a very large sum! Naturally, you’re going to want to clean your gear, and you may be wondering if it’s as simple as throwing it in the wash. Luckily enough for you, much of your gear can be put in the washing machine, but you must consider some key details first.

Preparing Your Gear

Before you’re ready to wash your TA-50 gear, you have to take a couple of steps to ensure that the process is clean, simple, and effective. First off, you want to refresh yourself on the best methods to make efficient use of your washing machine. Even when you know how to optimize your machine, some aspects of your gear simply can’t be handled by a washing machine alone, so here are a few precautions to take before you even think about throwing that TA-50 gear in the wash.

Focus on Stains

A cycle through the washing machine may dull a stain or make it harder to see, but if you don’t make the effort to attack that stain manually, then it will be noticed, and that won’t be good for you! Using a brush with the appropriate stain remover is your best bet. Note that different kinds of stains are best treated with different compounds. You may not deal with a bloodstain the same way you’d approach a coffee stain. Before purchasing a stain remover or using a home remedy, read the instructions and details of the product to ensure that it will actually work.

Read the Labels

If something is machine washable, then it will be labeled as such. Scour your TA-50 gear to ensure that everything you decide to wash in the machine is actually machine washable. If you realize that you’ve done something wrong after the fact, then it’s already too late to reverse it. The last thing you want is to be charged or receive a deduction for turning in unserviceable gear!

Brush Away Dirt and Debris

The mud isn’t going to disappear from that filthy C bag just because you threw it in the washing machine. If you want to get rid of accumulated dirt and debris, then you’ll have to manually scrub your gear with a brush. Be sure to choose a gentle brush; you don’t want to scratch and damage your precious gear! If there has been a buildup of lint or other debris, a vacuum is a good option for tight corners and difficult places.

Watch Those Buckles!

Any buckles or other removable metal pieces should be put aside before going through the wash. They can be dented and scratched by the washer, and they can also damage any machine they run through. It’s very easy to notice if the metallic parts of your gear are damaged, so it’s best to take care of them. Be super gentle when cleaning any metal pieces by hand. You’ll want to avoid using any method that will scratch the piece, and it’s important to thoroughly and quickly dry any metal before refastening.

You Don’t Need to Handle It Alone

All of these steps and precautions can be pretty time-consuming. You’re a busy person, and you likely have better things to do than scrub away and toil at your TA-50 gear. As an alternative to going through the painstaking cleaning process by yourself, consider turning to an experienced drop off laundry service to take care of it for you! You’ll save your time and get it done right. Paying a little bit now will save you a lot of money in fees and deductions later!

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