How To Clean Plate Carrier Vest? Step By Step Guide

Being a military man, your life is always at a risk of getting hit by bullets or shrapnels in the war zone. Even cops and other professionals dealing with life-threatening events need these vests to protect their back and front. In the warzone or on duty, your vest might get dirty, due to which it’s necessary to know how to clean plate carrier vests quickly.

You can easily clean the plate carrier vest with water and soap; it requires a few minutes and some knowledge. But ensure not to soak it for long because it might affect its quality, making it soft and compromising your safety. If you want to clean your plate carrier vest, follow the following steps. Be with us till the end to know more about the cleaning process.

Step By Step Guide To Clean Plate Carrier

It looks easier to clean to plate carrier, but there are a few things to keep in mind for proper cleaning and avoiding damage because bleach or other cleaning agents might damage the plate. So it’s necessary to use the right tools for this. Follow the following steps to clean the plate carrier vest.

Step 1:

First, remove all the accessories attached to it, like magazines or other necessary items. Never remove straps or other items that are already attached to it.

Step 2:

Now take a hard brush and start removing the dried dirt on it. Don’t rub the brush too hard, as it can damage the vest’s fabric. Brushes can sometimes create holes in the vest, so never rub it too hard.

Step 3:

Now pass the carrier through water and add a small amount of detergent; you can add a dishwasher. Never use bleach or any other agents with stronger chemical composition.

Step 4:

If there is still mud or stain that is hard to remove, then use a brush like an old toothbrush and rub it gently on the vest.

Step 5:

Now pass it through clean water and rinse it thoroughly; you can use a cloth to remove water from the plates. Never pass it through the water hose because it can affect the fabric.

Step 6:

After cleaning the carrier plates, hang them in an airy place and avoid hanging them in direct sunlight to avoid fading. Flip it over after a few minutes so it will dry from both sides.

Step 7:

When the vest dries, completely remove it from there and attach the removed accessories. Before wearing it, ensure the fiber isn’t damaged because some detergents aren’t friendly with fabrics.

For cleaning soft carrier plates, you can follow the above steps but ensure not to soak them in water for long, use a toothbrush, and rub it gently. After cleaning, try to rinse it thoroughly and hang it in a shady place. Make sure to check it thoroughly before wearing it because you can’t trust them.

Related: Plate Carrier Accessories

These hard plates can last for years if you clean them properly because their plates will protect you until they are in excellent condition. Otherwise, damaged plates will never protect as a new one does.

Things Not To Do While Cleaning Your Plate Carrier Vest

Here are some things you must remember to keep your plate carrier vest clean.

Things To Know About Maintaining Your Plate Carrier Vest Properly

Here are some things you must know to keep your plate carrier in better condition for a long time. Most people won’t take care of their plate carriers and damage them quickly, so they must buy a new one. So, here are a few simple steps to keep your vest in excellent condition.

Read The Care Label

For cleaning or any other purpose, you must read the care label where all the instructions are written clearly. Numerous symbols indicate cleaning, ironing, and other things. If you can understand those symbols, then ask the seller, search on the internet, or there might be a QR code you can scan.

Read The Cleaning Instructions

If you don’t know how to clean a plate carrier vest, then it’s better to search it on the internet and read them first properly. It’s also important to look for the instructions about your particular vest as instructions for Level II and III are different than Level IV. Ensure not to use harmful agents while cleaning.

Keep It Dry

If your plate carrier vest gets wet, dry it quickly and avoid getting mud on it. If it remains wet for a long time, the fabric and the plat will soften, and the vest will become less durable.

Proper Storage

These plates are a bit hard and must be stored properly for transportation or other purposes. You must lay it flat, and in the case of hanging, hang it properly and avoid hanging it from the corner. Its elastic bands will stretch out. And never fold the plate during transportation.

Wear A Shirt Under Vest

You must wear a shirt under a plate carrier vest to avoid friction as it can get itchy and uncomfortable. After a while, your plate carrier might get smelly due to over-sweating, so wear a shirt under your vest to avoid such things.

Avoid Sun Exposure

To maintain its integrity and durability, keeping them in a shady place and avoiding direct sunlight is necessary. UV easy coming from the sun is too harmful and can affect numerous other things like your skin. Avoid sun exposure, especially after washing the plate carrier vest.

FAQs:

Conclusion 

The best and the simplest way to clean a plate carrier vest is by washing it with a detergent and then soaking it in the water to remove all the stains. Though you can spot clean the plate carrier, it might leave germs on it, leading to other problems. So, be careful about everything and first learn about washing the plate carrier. Don’t forget to read the care label first before starting any cleaning process.