On every construction site, workshop, factory, or warehouse, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is your first ally against accidents, bad weather, and everyday unexpected events. They accompany us on the hottest days, insulate us from the cold and humidity, and protect us from bumps, slips, and cuts. But there's a fundamental question that every professional, craftsman, or worker should ask themselves: PPE protects you, but how do you keep it safe?
We often think of our workwear and safety footwear as indestructible tools.
Although Technosafe products are designed to withstand the most extreme environments and the harshest stresses, neglecting their maintenance can drastically reduce their lifespan. Dust, mud, cement, oils, and chemical agents can, over time, affect not only their aesthetics, but also, and above all, the technical performance and safety requirements for which these devices are certified.
In this article, we'll explore in detail how to best care for your equipment, prolonging its lifespan, ensuring maximum hygiene, and, above all, maintaining your safety in the workplace. We'll focus on two of the items most exposed to daily wear: safety shoes and technical trousers.
The first step to safety: footwear care
Our feet are the foundation of our bodies, and work shoes are their protective armor. When working on construction sites or in industry, footwear accumulates all kinds of dirt. Properly and consistently cleaning safety shoes is essential not only for their appearance, but also to preserve the physical and mechanical characteristics required by regulations, such as slip resistance and breathability.
Technosafe footwear is made with cutting-edge materials that require specific care to last over time.
Here are the essential steps for impeccable maintenance:
Removing surface dirt and caring for the tread
At the end of the day, get into the habit of removing mud and debris stuck under the sole and on the upper.
This step is vital. According to EN ISO 20345 standards (both the 2011 version and the new 2022 update), the sole must pass rigorous slip resistance tests. A tread clogged with dried mud or debris loses its natural grip, increasing the risk of accidental falls. Use a medium-bristle brush to free the grooves in the sole.
Washing based on upper materials
Not all shoes are the same, and the washing method must be adapted to the specific composition of the shoe:
Stretch knit and technical materials: The models in the NEON line, which stand out for their eye-catching design reminiscent of true work sneakers, have a one-piece, seamless upper made of stretch knit. To clean them, use a damp microfiber cloth and neutral soap, dabbing gently to avoid fraying the fabric.
Suede: Shoes such as the PHOENIX model or models in the CLASSIC line, including Thunder and Hurricane, use uppers made of soft suede. This material is sensitive to water. Use rubber brushes specifically designed for suede to remove dust, always brushing in the same direction.
Special footwear for welders: Models like the WELDY, designed for heat-on-contact resistance (HRO), feature stitching made of synthetic aramid fiber and are laceless. Again, clean these shoes dry or with slightly damp cloths to avoid altering the materials' fireproof properties.
A crucial warning: Never wash safety shoes in the washing machine! Total immersion in water and the force of the spin cycle can cause irreparable damage. You risk deforming the COMPOTECH composite crush-resistant toecap and compromising the flexibility of the TECHNOFLEX puncture-resistant midsole, compromising your protection.
Proper drying and internal hygiene
If shoes get damp, they should dry naturally. Remove the insole, such as the EVA cleaning insole, and open the shoe up. Let it dry at room temperature. Avoid direct exposure to heat sources such as stoves, radiators, or intense sunlight, as heat deforms the structure and dries out the leather.
Workwear maintenance: focus on technical trousers
Workwear is subjected to significant daily mechanical stress. Technical trousers must resist tears, abrasions, and constant flexing, while ensuring freedom of movement. Technosafe uses fabrics that combine strength (often enhanced with reinforced inserts) and stretch, but to avoid altering these fibers, proper washing is essential.
Before running the washing machine, it's essential to read the labels.
Golden rules for washing trousers
Empty all pockets: A step that may seem obvious, but it isn't. Roomy pockets, like the numerous ones on the LOONEY model, can hide screws, nails, or cutters that would destroy the washing machine drum and tear the fabric during the wash.
Wash inside out: Turning the trousers inside out before washing them protects the colors and the outer fibers. This is an essential trick, especially for garments with reflective details, such as the TUNEY shorts or High Visibility garments.
Low temperatures and no fabric softener: Technical fabrics containing elastane or spandex (found in the TUNEY, LOONEY, and RHINO models) lose their elasticity when washed at high temperatures. Keep the wash cycle at 30°C or a maximum of 40°C. Also, never use fabric softener: this chemical coats the fibers, clogging the pores of the fabric, destroying the garment's natural breathability and ruining the elastic yarns.
No tumble dryer: The extreme heat of the dryer "cooks" synthetic yarns and elastane, causing the garment to shrink. Hang your pants outdoors, preferably in the shade.
Seasonal Storage: A Detail That Makes a Difference
When you make a seasonal change, for example, switching from the cool TUNEY shorts to the warmer CLANK softshell jacket (with triple-layer waterproof fabric), it's vital to store your PPE properly.
Make sure all clothing and shoes are perfectly clean and 100% dry before storing them. Avoid sealed plastic bags, which trap residual moisture and promote mold and odors. Use dry lockers or breathable cardboard boxes.
When is it time to replace your PPE?
Maintenance extends the life of your equipment, but it doesn't make it eternal. Visual inspection should be a routine. If you notice that the tread of your shoe has become smooth, or if the wear-resistant fabrics (such as the Oxford reinforcements on trousers) have irreparable tears, it's time for a new purchase. Damaged PPE is no longer capable of performing the job it was designed for, putting your health at risk.
Taking care of your equipment is synonymous with professionalism and love for your job.
Maintain your Technosafe devices in the best possible condition, and they will continue to support and protect you in every work challenge!
