Are you noticing that your kayaking life jacket or personal floatation device (PFD) is starting to smell like a nice ripe Muenster cheese? If so, it’s time to discuss how to clean a life jacket and PFD (personal floatation device).
To clean your life jacket or PFD, simply wet it down, apply a mild detergent, gently scrub, rinse and let dry. Frankly the process is quite similar to hand-washing any other garment in your closet – not that anyone handwashes much of anything, anymore.
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Table of Contents
Do you even need to clean a life jacket?
Yes, life jackets and PFDs need to be cleaned. If left untouched for extended periods of time, mold and mildew form on the fabric of the vest. The result is that all-too familiar musty stink often found in the depths of your garage or boathouse.
While the funk is a nuisance, the real problem in not cleaning a life jacket is the loss of integrity of the fabric. Mold and mildew weaken the fibers which eventually results in the fabric tearing. Once the fabric tears, you’ll need to reach deep into your pocket for a couple crisp hundred dollar bills to buy a new vest.
Supplies you’ll need to clean a life jacket
In preparation for cleaning your life jacket or PFD, collect the following supplies:
- Large bucket. Big enough to submerge a life jacket or PFD.
- Standard sponge.
- Dish detergent. Even though Dawn really isn’t gentle enough to clean bitumen. off ducks, it is gently enough to clean a life jacket.
- Hose plus spray attachment. Ideally, this should be a garden hose, but could be a showerhead attachment, in a pinch.
- Soft-bristled brush. A toothbrush will work, fine but a shoe-shine brush will work better.
- **Optional** 303 Aerospace UV Protectant (Amazon Link – protect against ultraviolet rays).
- **Optional** Revivex Odor Eliminator (Amazon Link – remove the ‘stank’).
Steps to clean a neoprene or nylon life jacket
If you are cleaning a conventional nylon or neoprene life jacket or PFD, jump right to step one. If you are cleaning an inflatable life jacket, first remove the CO2 cartridge and deflate the jacket before cleaning.
Step 1. Use the hose to rinse loose debris off the life jacket or PFD. Clean, cold, or lukewarm water is best.
Step 2. Fill your bucket with water and a few drops of dish detergent. Avoid using hot water as you risk damaging the fabric and/or filling of the life jacket.
Step 3. Lower your life jacket or PFD down into the bucket of soapy water until it is fully submerged. Let it sit for a couple of minutes so that any dirt or debris that wasn’t removed by the hose will moisten.
If your lifejacket or PFD really stinks, consider applying an anti-odour additive to the water such as Revivex Odor Eliminator.
Step 4. Use the soapy sponge to gently clean the larger surfaces of the life jacket. If a stain is pesky, consider using a brush to work the stain out of the fabric. Use a brush – preferably an old toothbrush – to clean nylon straps, buckles, zippers, seams and other crevices that might be holding dirt, sand and/or stink. Brush firmly, but gently.
Step 5. When you are satisfied with the cleanliness of your life jacket or PFD, rinse any remaining soap and debris off with the hose or shower head.
Step 6. Hang your life jacket or PFD on a plastic hanger to dry. The hanger helps the vest maintain its shape.
Step 7. Extend the life of your vest by spraying with 303 Aerospace UV Protectant. UV rays wreak havoc on life jackets and PFDs. This protectant mitigates the damage caused by UV rays.
It’s important to fully dry the vest. You can certainly leave it outside (though not in direct sunlight) to let nature take its course. However, this technique might not fully dry the tight, wet crevices that lurk in virtually every vest.
Consider hanging your life jacket in front of a fan to dry.
Alternatively (this is a hack that I use when drying my inflatable kayak), hang-dry your vest in a small room with a fan and dehumidifier. The latter tool does a great job of sucking every last drop of moisture from the air.
What to do with a clean life jacket
Once your life jacket is clean and perfectly dry, store on a hanger, on a hook, or at minimum on top of whatever basement pile you deem capable of the task.
Life jackets and PFDs aren’t crystal sculptures so they don’t need to be coddled or handled with velvet gloves. However, storing them only when they’re dry and in a spot that doesn’t have 50lbs of old magazines leaning against them, will help maximize their usefulness as well as lifespan.
Also, consider storing with a dryer sheet in the pocket or otherwise attached. This helps ward off any musty odours that might try to return.
What if your life jacket or PFD is over-run with mold and mildew?
If mold and mildew have completely taken over your garment and you are on the verge of simply throwing it out and buying a new one, STOP.
Remember that paragraph above where I wrote about only using mild detergents? Well, if you have a MAMMOTH mold and mildew problem, then you need to pull out the big guns. You need high-test solvents to attack the offending mold.
If you are trying to resurrect a half-dead life jacket or PFD, start the washing process with the following spot treatment:
1. Mix a solution of 2/3 water and 1/3 hydrogen peroxide.
2. Pour the mixture onto the stained fabric.
3. Sit the garment under the sun for 30 minutes.
4. Use a brush or rough cloth to scrub the stained area.
5. Proceed with the washing process detailed above.
Combining hydrogen peroxide and sunlight is a sure-fire way to lighten the color of your garment. You will lose color. Consider this the price of resurrecting a half-dead life jacket or PFD.
What not to do to keep your life jacket healthy
Harsh detergents Don’t use harsh detergents to clean your lifejacket or PFD. While these garments aren’t necessarily ‘precious’, harsh chemicals – particularly ones that are acidic – can weaken the integrity of the fabric, shortening its lifespan in the process. So, no chlorine bleach
Washing Machine Don’t throw your life jacket or PFD in the washing machine or dryer (or dishwasher, for that matter.) The intense motion of these machines risks damage to every component of your garment. Also, the zippers and buckles will bang around, wreaking havoc on the interior of your dryer. And don’t get me started on the damage that the spin cycle will do long nylon straps.
Heavy items on top Don’t place heavy items on your life jacket or PFD. You’ll alter their shape in an undesirable way that could negatively impact their buoyancy.
Parting thoughts
When cleaning is underway, the funk stays at bay.
‘Nuff said!