Arc Rated Clothing Maintenance: The Ultimate Guide for Caring for your Protective Clothing

Arc rated clothing is designed to protect workers from arc flash hazards, but that protection depends on how garments are cared for over time. Learn what protective clothing qualifies as arc rated, why maintenance matters and how everyday care decisions can affect compliance, protection and audit outcomes for safety leaders.

What is arc rated clothing and why does maintenance matter?

Arc rated clothing is workwear that’s designed to help protect those who are exposed to an electric arc. Its performance is measured using an Arc Thermal Performance Value, or ATPV, which indicates how much thermal energy the fabric can resist before causing second degree burns.

Maintenance matters because arc flash protection is not static. Every wash cycle plays a role in whether a garment continues to perform as tested. When care instructions are ignored or applied inconsistently, arc flash protection can be potentially compromised long before garment wear and tear becomes visible.

For safety directors, it’s a day-to-day challenge. You’re responsible not just for issuing compliant PPE, but for ensuring that it stays compliant throughout its service life.

Arc rated vs. flame resistant: Understanding the difference

Arc rated and flame-resistant clothing are related but not interchangeable terms.

Flame-resistant clothing is designed to resist ignition and self-extinguish when exposed to flame. Arc rated clothing meets flame resistance requirements and has also been tested for arc flash exposure, resulting in an assigned ATPV rating.

In practical terms, all arc rated clothing is flame resistant, but not all flame-resistant clothing is arc rated. Employers must account for this distinction because arc rated garments carry an additional performance expectation tied directly to worker protection in electrical environments.

How improper care compromises arc flash protection

The fabrics, finishes and construction of arc rated clothing are tested together, and the manufacturer’s care instructions are written to preserve those tested conditions.

When garments are washed incorrectly, exposed to incompatible chemicals or repaired improperly, there is a potential risk of degrading performance. Even if a garment looks serviceable, if it hasn’t been cared for properly it may no longer perform as intended under arc flash conditions.

Common care risks include:

• Using bleach or fabric softeners when they are not approved by the manufacturer
• Washing at temperatures outside specified ranges
• Improper drying methods that alter fabric structure
• Unapproved repairs that introduce non-compliant materials

The core issue is precision. Arc rated clothing requires its specific care steps to be followed exactly. Variability increases risk.

Industrial laundering vs. home washing: What the standards require

Standards such as NFPA 70E and ASTM F1506 do not explicitly prohibit home laundering of arc rated clothing. Instead, they focus on the outcome: garments must continue to meet performance and labeling requirements throughout their use.

That’s where many companies struggle — especially those that require individual workers to launder their arc rated clothing.

Home laundering places responsibility on each worker to follow detailed care instructions every wash cycle. Detergent selection, water temperature, load mixing and drying methods can vary widely. Even well-intentioned employees may accidentally introduce inconsistency that affects compliance.

Industrial laundering environments are designed to control these variables. Processes are standardized, detergents are selected for compatibility and wash conditions are closely monitored.

Inspection, repair and replacement criteria for arc rated clothing

Maintenance does not stop at washing. Ongoing inspection is critical to ensure garments remain fit for service.

A practical inspection checklist may include:

• Confirming labels are present and legible
• Checking for holes, tears or excessive wear
• Verifying repairs use approved materials and methods
• Identifying contamination or damage that cannot be corrected

Garments should be removed from service when damage affects coverage, structural integrity or compliance labeling. Companies should establish clear guidelines for garment replacement to help eliminate subjective decisions and support audit documentation.

Rental FRC programs vs. employer-managed care: A compliance comparison

Some organizations manage arc rated clothing care internally, while others utilize managed rental programs. From a compliance perspective, the distinction centers on consistency and documentation.

Employer-managed programs rely on internal controls, training and enforcement to ensure care standards are met. Rental programs typically centralize laundering, inspection and repair, creating standardized processes and documented outcomes.

For safety leaders, the decision often comes down to their daily workload. Employer-managed programs can require a heavy internal lift to reliably ensure worker garments are properly cared for. Rental programs come at a cost, but they offer massive time savings to safety directors who are already stretched thin.

Help protect your team

Fully managed arc rated clothing programs like Apparel+ from Cintas offer effortless garment care and maximum protection. Apparel+ tailors wash formulas to AR clothing specifications to help ensure every garment is cleaned safely and correctly. Visit our website to learn more about how Cintas can help keep your team members better protected.