Gear Wash, the largest independent service provider (ISP) in the world, is proud to offer a new solution for fire departments. Carbon dioxide (CO2) cleaning offers a new weapon in our cleaning arsenal. But what is CO2 cleaning, and is it right for your department?  

What is CO2 cleaning? 

CO2 cleaning is a method of cleaning gear that utilizes CO2 instead of water. The CO2 is kept under intense pressure. This keeps the CO2 in liquid form and allows it to clean your garment.  

When the cleaning cycle is complete, the pressure is released, and the CO2 returns to gas.  

This solution requires a highly specialized machine, which is why we’re proud to partner with Tersus Solutions for this innovative cleaning solution.  

The machines we use are specifically designed for decontaminating firefighter gear. The CO2 washer is designed to penetrate all 3 layers of turnout gear. 

What are the benefits of CO2 cleaning?  

The key difference between CO2 cleaning and traditional cleaning methods is water. CO2 cleaning involves no water during the cleaning process.  

A different cleaning material offers several advantages.  

A Better Clean 

The largest advantage is that CO2 naturally sticks to common contaminants found in turnout gear. In fact, CO2 cleaning is so good that the Tersus Solutions CO2 process shows contaminant removal rates as high as 98%.  

We’ve talked at length about how important it is to clean turnout gear of common contaminants. A suit covered in soot is no longer a badge of honor, it’s a potentially dangerous heap of carcinogens.  

CO2 is especially good for certain kinds of contaminants. In particular, CO2 is good for cleaning diesel spills. Diesel often wicks in underneath reflective trim, knees, and cuffs and leaves behind a diesel odor. Long exposure to diesel fumes can cause a number of health problems; it is vital to clean diesel and fuel contamination as thoroughly as possible (per NFPA 1851, this would fall into the Special Cleaning category).   

The traditional cleaning method for diesel involves a long period of soaking, which may need to be repeated multiple times. In some cases, reflective trim, knee, and cuff replacement is necessary. With CO2, cleaning diesel is faster and more reliable.  

Quicker Turnaround Times 

Another advantage of CO2 cleaning is that CO2 is a gas. When the machine is depressurized, the liquid CO2 turns to a gas. This means that the garment does not need to be dried, potentially resulting in a shorter turnaround time for cleaning, getting your lifesaving gear back to you faster. 

And because CO2 can penetrate multiple layers, gear does not need to be taken apart during cleaning. This can also lead to shorter turnaround times.  

Sustainability 

CO2 cleaning is also more sustainable than other cleaning options. The machine uses a closed-loop system that reduces waste. No water also means no water waste.  

The machine is also gentle on gear. Proper care for PPE gear is vital for increasing its lifetime use, and a gentler cleaning solution could help to prevent gear from being retired too early. 

CO2 can help to restore the performance of reflective trim. It can also restore the garment’s original color. In this way, CO2 cleaning can help your gear get back to battle-ready status.  

Is CO2 Cleaning Right for My Gear?  

When combined with other solutions, CO2 can make your gear cleaner than with normal washing methods alone.  

It is important to remember that CO2 cleaning is not always available on its own. Large contaminants will often need to be washed away with water in a traditional washing machine before going into the CO2 machine.  

However, some gear can be placed directly into the CO2 machine without the need for any additional cleaning.  

Consider CO2 as another tool in your cleaning arsenal. Just like you don’t take only 1 tool into a fire, it doesn’t make sense to only have 1 cleaning tool. It’s better to have options that fit your needs.  

Your Gear Wash provider can talk with you about the solution that’s best for you. Whatever your firefighter gear cleaning (or rental) needs are, we have a solution that fits your needs. Contact us today to find out if this innovative solution is right for your firefighting equipment.