---
title: 4 Steps to Clean Your Fire Hood
description: Read the 4 steps to properly clean your fire hood
---

[Gear Wash Blog](https://blog.gearwash.com/blog)

# [4 Steps to Clean Your Fire Hood](https://blog.gearwash.com/blog/4-steps-to-clean-your-fire-hood)

 Written by [Gear Wash](https://blog.gearwash.com/blog/author/gear-wash) | Oct 12, 2022 7:21:41 PM

We all know cleaning your [turnout gear](https://blog.firedex.com/blog/proper-cleaning-for-your-turnout-gear) twice a year is recommended by the [NFPA](https://www.nfpa.org/), but do you think about your hoods too? It's easy to forget this small piece of gear, but that doesn't make it any less important! Follow these 4 quick and easy steps to get your fire hood properly cleaned.

### Step by Step 

Tools You'll Need:

- Examination gloves, apron, & safety glasses 
- A large utility tub or programmable extractor that doesn't have a G-Force that exceeds 100 G

##### Step 1: Preparation

- Observe necessary universal precautions 
- Hoods may be hand or machine washed 
- Hoods may be washed independently or combined with a load of liners 

##### Step 2: Wash Hood 

Hand Washing 

- Fill large utility tub with warm water, being cautious never to exceed 40°C or 105°F
- Add specialized detergent (approved for use on PPE with a pH between 6.0 and 10.5) to the tub at the label's recommended ratio 
- Pre-soak hood for a minimum of 10 minutes 
- Wearing protective gloves, gently rub materials until all areas have been cleaned 
- Rinse thoroughly until all suds are removed 
- Lightly squeeze out excess water 

Extractor Washing 

- Hoods may be washed independently or with liners
- Load basket so that when looking through the glass door, it is ¾ full 
- Power on the extractor 
- Select the appropriate pre-programmed selection (refer to the manufacturer's user guide for recommended settings)
- If an automated pump is not present, manually add approved detergent as the machine is filling with water (refer to the detergent's directions for appropriate detergent to water ratio) 

##### Step 3: Remove & Inspect  

- Always inspect hood after each wash to ensure it was thoroughly cleaned - you may rewash as necessary 
- Ensure all soap was removed - if soap suds remain, rinse as necessary until the hood is sud-free
- Hoods should be taken out of service if contaminants cannot be removed or any physical damage is found 

##### Step 4: Drying 

Air-drying is best in an air-drying cabinet or a dark space with good ventilation. You may also lay out on a drying rack or somewhere else that promotes the draining of water from the hood. 

- Do not dry hoods in direct or indirect sunlight, fluorescent light, or UV light 

Machine-drying should be done using a "no heat" or "air dry" option when available. 

- Temperature should never exceed 40°C or 105°F

### Dos & Don'ts 

##### Do:

- Follow [NFPA 1851](https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=1851) recommendations 
- Pre-treat heavily soiled or spotted areas by soaking in an approved solution of detergent and water
- Keep water temperature under 40°C or 105°F
- Periodically run an empty cycle to clean out the extractor 
- Use specialized detergents approved to clean PPE with a pH between 6.0 and 10.5 

##### Don't: 

- Stretch or wring out a wet hood
- Overload the extractor as it will result in inefficient cleaning 
- Wash hoods or other PPE with personal items, in home laundry, or at a laundromat 
- Wash hoods with turnout gear outer shells, boots, suspenders, gloves, or any other materials containing hook/loop hardware 
- Use chlorine bleach or solvents, as they may damage the protective qualities of the hood 

[View full post](https://blog.gearwash.com/blog/4-steps-to-clean-your-fire-hood)

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