How to Care for Life Jackets

No matter what your mother told you, most laundry chores are not a matter of life and death. There is an exception, however, the care and cleaning of a life jacket or a personal flotation device (PFD). If you or your family enjoy being around the water, then life jackets are essential for your safety and are usually required by law. Caring for life jackets properly will extend their life expectancy and functionality plus your family will be happier to wear a life jacket that is clean and fresh.

Care of Life Jackets/PFDs

During your day on the water, avoid leaving life jackets in direct sun for long periods of time. This can cause deterioration and fading of fabrics. After every water outing there are several things that should be done:

• If used in saltwater, rinse the jackets with clean water.
• Rinse off any mud, sand or visible stains. 
• After rinsing, let the jackets drip dry before stowing. Never try to speed the drying time by using a clothes dryer or any type of direct heat. It is best to allow the jackets to dry out of direct sunlight if possible.
• Check each life jacket for rips, tears or holes. Be certain that all straps are firmly attached and that all hardware is functioning correctly.
• After the life jackets are dry to the touch, check for any puckering or shrinkage.Be sure that no water is caught in the interior foam and that there is no mildew odor.
• Life jackets should be stored in a dry, cool, dark place. If stowing in a small space on a boat or in a plastic bin, do not bend or place heavy objects on top of the jackets as this can cause crushing and damage performance.
• Never store a heavily soiled life jacket. Stains become food for mold and mildew growth which weakens fabrics and destroy the effectiveness of the device.
• When jackets are not going to be used for an extended period of time, remove them from the boat or any potentially damp storage area. They will last much longer if stored in conditioned, even temperature and humidity location.

What You Need to Clean Life Jackets

Supplies

• Heavy-duty laundry detergent with enough enzymes to break apart stain molecules (Tide, Persil)

Tools

• Plastic bucket
• Soft bristle brush
• Water hose
• Drying rack or clothesline

How to Thoroughly Clean Life Jackets

Life jackets should be cleaned immediately if stains like mud, food or sunscreen are visible. Even those that "look clean" should be cleaned monthly or at the end of the season. Every wearing leaves oils from skin and sun care products on the fabric.

Pick a sunny, dry day to do the cleaning. Spread a tarp or plastic drop cloth on the ground and fill a bucket with cool water and about two tablespoons liquid laundry detergent.

Place the life jackets, with all straps and hardware unfastened, on the tarp and using the detergent solution and soft brush, scrub each side of the jacket. For tough stains like red mud or food, apply a dab of the detergent directly onto the stain. Work it in with the brush then allow the jacket to sit for at least 15 minutes before rinsing.

Rinse well using a hose or plenty of water smoothing the fabric to get into any crevices. Hang the jacket to drip dry, preferably out of direct sunlight. If you must hang inside to dry, use a rotating fan to speed the process. Never place a life jacket in a clothes dryer.

If the jacket has mold or mildew, move to an outside area and brush away any visible spores before wetting the fabric. Scrub as suggested but add 1/4 cup of oxygen-based bleach to the cleaning solution. This will help remove the dark stains.

A large front load washer can be used but should always be placed on a low final spin rate.

When Is It Time to Replace a Life Jacket?

With care, most life jackets can last many years. However, there comes a time that the PFD must be replaced. Life jackets should be tested at the beginning of every season or periodically if you live in a year-round water friendly climate. A reputable dealer can check the devices or you can do it yourself by testing buoyancy in a pool. A safe device should be able to keep an average-sized person afloat for several hours.

Before discarding a life jacket, cut off all straps and even cut it into pieces to prevent others from mistaking it as a viable safety device.