A Nomex flight suit is a critical part of any pilot’s uniform. Yes, they do look cool. But flight suits serve a purpose. As a pilot, like in any other profession, it’s always important to dress for the job. A Nomex flight suit helps protect the wearer from the elements and offers a layer of protection in case of any emergency. But buying a flight suit is just one part of the equation. Once you’ve purchased your Nomex Flight Suit, proper maintenance is crucial to ensuring that the suit remains intact and serves you for years. Here are a few tips on how to maintain your Nomex flight suit.
Wash using a quality detergent and separate it from other garments. A great detergent can easily remove stains from the flight suit while still leaving it looking clean and fresh. Ideally, you should wash your Nomex flight using a quality synthetic, heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent. Such detergents do a superior job of removing stains and are less likely to form sticky deposits of curds (well, that’s if you are using soap). Why wash them separately, though? Well, this helps ensure that the flight suit doesn’t get contaminated with lint of flammable fibers like cotton.
Wash in warm water on a light spin cycle
It’s best practice to wash any type of garment as per the manufacturer’s instructions. A Nomex flight suit is machine washable. You can throw the garment into the washer with warm water at approximately 1400F, maintaining a light spin cycle. Why wash a Nomex flight suit in warm water, though? Well, washing it at higher temperatures can cause the fabric to discolor. However, it won’t damage its fire-resistant features.
Hang to dry
Once you have washed your Nomex suit, you should ideally hang dry your suit. You should avoid drying it under direct sunlight. After all, Nomex fabric dries up very fast. Besides, drying it under direct sunlight may cause fading. If you so wish, you can machine-dry the suit at a low-temperature setting of between 1400F to 1600F.
Store in a clean and dry hanging area
You need to ensure your flight suit stays clean and feels fresh. Ensure that your suit is perfectly clean and any stains it might have attained are gone, then pick a good storage location. The best place to store your flight suit is in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area. Storing it in an area prone to moisture might cause it to get musty. Use a good sturdy wide hanger to help your suit retain its proper shape and avoid stretching.
Iron inside-out to maintain various fabric properties
Nomex flight suits can be ironed at very low temperatures. Experts recommend ironing the garment while it’s still damp, not exceeding a temperature of 2800F. If the garment has huge deep wrinkles, you can leave it hanging loosely and use a fabric steamer to quickly straighten it up.
A Nomex flight suit is easy to maintain, provided you follow these five standard rules. If you still have questions on how to maintain your flight suit or wish to make a purchase, the team at Carter Industries has you covered. We are the leading manufacturer and supplier of CWU 27/P Nomex Flight Suits and the only company serving the U.S. Armed forces.