Holes in work clothes

[ladydetailer]

Good morning! I am new to detailcity and the forums,. but I thought this might be a good place to start with my question. I am married to a professional detailer - we both own the business. My husband does most of the car cleaning though I do get my hands dirty with a fleet that we do. Today though, I have a domestic question for you all. Hope you can help...

Do you all ever get holes in your clothes after you wash them? It seems that the clothes that we work in - once we wash them, if they have chemicals on them (from cleaning the cars), they are completely destroyed in the wash. I suppose it is when those chemicals are combined with the washing detergent that is used (doesn`t matter what kind). But it is causing a real problem because we have to constantly buy new clothes for work.

Has anyone else had this problem? If not, what type of work clothes that are durable and/or chemical proof that won`t be destroyed when they are washed? This problem is getting costly as you probably can imagine. Any help is appreciated.

[AL-53]

Soak work clothes in some baking soda and water solution..to neutralize the acids...it works if you catch the chemicals fast..if the clothes sit around..the acids did thier damage...

Al

[ladydetailer]

Thanks! When you say "catch the chemicals fast" - how soon does the soaking need to be done? We don`t wash everyday but it sounds like we might need to, correct?

[Mikeyc]

You might also consider wearing an apron when you detail. The chemicals will splash onto the apron and save your clothes.

[C. Charles Hahn]

Hmm... I wonder if scotchgard would give any "extra protection" to at least prolong the period before the "damage is done" from the other chemicals?

[The Fuzz]

You might also consider wearing an apron when you detail. The chemicals will splash onto the apron and save your clothes.

Yeah that!

[9C1]

What kinds of chemicals would do this? The only thing I can think of is an acid base wheel cleaner -- anything else. I would rather stay away from the cause than try to cure it afterward. That’s just me though.
Terry

[ladydetailer]

We actuallly do wear aprons and that has cut down on the problem, but it still seems to occur every so often. The only type of clothes that haven`t had holes were the Dickies pants that we have. But they are kinda pricey for our budget. I guess it will be worth it though so that we don`t have to keep buying new clothes.

[Big Leegr]

Some of the "Work" lines (such as Dickies) are coated with stain release coatings (such as Scotchguard). Some are listed as "water repellant."
I`m not sure how long the coatings last, though, as I recall reading a label on a couch that said if the couch was shampooed that the coating needed to be re-applied. I`m also not sure what the current status for Scotchguard is. At one time I had heard it was being dropped for health/environmental reasons, but maybe they`ve changed the formula?

Anyway, main point was that many lines of "work wear" are made of heavier duty materials than jeans/t-shirts are, and many are coated with some sort of repellant which should help "roll off" the chemicals before they eat away at your clothing.

[C. Charles Hahn]

I`m not sure how long the coatings last, though, as I recall reading a label on a couch that said if the couch was shampooed that the coating needed to be re-applied. I`m also not sure what the current status for Scotchguard is. At one time I had heard it was being dropped for health/environmental reasons, but maybe they`ve changed the formula?

Also remember there is always the option of 303 Fabric Guard.... which, while more pricey than scotchgard, does deliver equal or better performance and is much less hazardous to the environment and friendlier to work with....

[joyriide1113]

Stay with Dickies! All through High School that was the school uniform of choice for me. I always had to wear the school supplied uniform (dockers) but always unstiched the tag off the dickies. They lasted me all year 2-3 times a week without fading, loosing it crease, ect...

I now use Dickie Shorts (w/cell pocket) and a Dickies T-shirt when I detail... They just tend to stay looking newer longer.

[Beemerboy]

Stay with Dickies! All through High School that was the school uniform of choice for me. I always had to wear the school supplied uniform (dockers) but always unstiched the tag off the dickies. They lasted me all year 2-3 times a week without fading, loosing it crease, ect...

I now use Dickie Shorts (w/cell pocket) and a Dickies T-shirt when I detail... They just tend to stay looking newer longer.

Don`t those Dickies have metal type rivets on them??? the neighbors wears them and Carr Hard (sp) and they seem industrial strength...with metal type stitching which would be bad for detailing.

I think that apron or a light shop coat would be the answer

[joyriide1113]

Not the ones I wear or the ones I wore to school...



Just plain pants that come bulletproof...

lol...

The shorts are the same way...

[AL-53]

We actuallly do wear aprons and that has cut down on the problem, but it still seems to occur every so often. The only type of clothes that haven`t had holes were the Dickies pants that we have. But they are kinda pricey for our budget. I guess it will be worth it though so that we don`t have to keep buying new clothes.

I believe the Dickies are polyester..and not so prone to acids and hard alkalies plus they have some type of stain resistant coating on them....jeans being cotton will just dissolve if not neutralized fast...I know..I have many pairs with acid burns from the battery for my trolling motor and from acid rejuvenating my resins for my DI units..

If you are working with acids to clean wheels..you should have a neutralizer in case of emergency...a spray bottle of strong baking soda mix...incase of a splash to the face..or skin contact...it works...I now wear a face shied..nitrile gloves...and a spray bottle of solution when working with acids...

AL

[PhaRO]

Jeans and tshirts. Same for 16 years. The jean shorts and pants last for a long time. The tshirts are cheap enough that I can replace them often. I`ve entertained different pants/shorts and shirts over the years. Nothing feels as comfortable to me. I`ve not had problems with holes other than from wear. Yard Sales and Thrift Stores are good source for cheap clothes for work.