Prairie Fencing Club

Please Clean your Protective Fencing Gear

Please wash your protective gear before returning it to the club, even if you are just bringing it back to trade it in for a new size. A $10 cleaning fee will be deducted from your equipment deposit if the gear needs laundering when it is returned.

Please wash your protective fencing equipment monthly and more often if needed. You will know that your gear needs to be washed when:

  1. There is visible dirt or grease (usually seen as yellow or brown rings around the collar or cuffs on the jacket)
  2. You’ve just competed in a tournament
  3. The gear starts to smell

Instructions for Cleaning

Whites: jacket, pants, and plastron (underarm protector or half jacket)

  • Close all zippers and Velcro before washing
  • Pre-treat the collar, cuffs, and all stains with Oxy Clean, other laundry pre-treatment, detergent, or dish soap
  • Wash in cold or warm water and use regular or gentle detergent. No fabric softener or scent boosters
  • NO BLEACH. Bleach weakens the fabric
  • Hang to dry (preferred) or tumble dry low

Mask

  • Wipe surfaces with a disinfecting wipe
  • Deeper clean if needed: fill a bucket or bathtub with warm water and soak the mask and rub it with your hands. Use a small amount of gentle detergent (Woolite) on an ultrasoft toothbrush or cloth for greasy spots. Rinse thoroughly
  • If it is a foil or sabre mask (any metallic/conductive cloth), do not use Oxy Clean

Glove

  • Hand wash or use the gentle setting on your washing machine: close Velcro, wash in cold water and regular detergent, lay flat or hang to dry
  • Pre-treat using the same directions as the whites above (NO BLEACH)
  • Hang dry only. Clothes hangers with clips are useful

Chest Protector

  • Wipe down plastic surfaces with a disinfecting wipe
  • FIE foil padding (used for National competitions) can be sprayed with alcohol or if necessary, you can gently hand wash it

Lame (Conductive/Electric /Metallic Vest or Jacket)

  • Only wash when necessary
  • Gently hand wash only. Use only a small amount gentle detergent (Woolite) and rinse thoroughly
  • Roll it in a towel to gently squeeze extra water. Hang to dry.