What are the general fabric and care instructions for my Mustang Survival product?

Ever wondered how to clean your Mustang Survival gear? Here are the general fabric and care instructions you need to know to get the longest life out of your products:

PFDs

To clean your PFD, hand wash or sponge down in warm, soapy water, taking care not to submerge if it is an inflatable. Rinse your PFD with clean water and hang it to dry on a plastic coat hanger. Do not dry clean, use chlorine bleach, or apply direct heat. Always store your fully dried PFD in a warm, dry, well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight.

If you are washing an inflatable PFD, the device should be disarmed (if it is automatic) to prevent accidental inflation. The inflatable PFDs can be rinsed (once disarmed), but complete submersion is not recommended.

If your device utilizes a Hammar MA1 Inflator (found on our Hammar Inflation Technology (HIT) products), do not allow any water into the bladder after it has been disarmed. If you accidentally get water in the bladder, it must be emptied prior to re-arming your device; failure to do this may result in the inflator being rendered inoperable.

Mustang also recommends IOSSO Mold & Mildew Stain Remover for cleaning the outer cover of your PFD. Please note that other cleaning products for fabrics may function just as well, but results are not guaranteed.

Foam Flotation Products

Any of Mustang's foam flotation products (PFDs, floater coats/jackets) can be rinsed and submerged without issue at any time during the cleaning process.

To clean your flotation gear, hand wash or sponge down in warm, soapy water. Rinse with clean water and hang to dry on a plastic coat hanger. Do not dry clean, use chlorine bleach, or apply direct heat. Always store your flotation gear in a warm, dry, well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight.

Dry Suits and Technical Apparel 

Hot machine laundering settings can cause the tapes and heat transfers around the garment to become loose or peel off. To clean your dry wear, hand wash or sponge down in warm, soapy water; do not use harsh cleaning agents. Do not dry clean, use chlorine bleach, or apply direct heat as these can cause issues with the Durable Water Repellent (DWR) on the fabric, which is what provides the water repellency.

Rinse with clean water and hang to dry on a plastic coat hanger. Always store your fully dried product in a warm, dry, well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight.

For cleaning of Nomex® breathable fabrics, it is recommended to follow Dupont's Technical Guide for Nomex® Brand Fabric.

Durable water-repellency (DWR) coatings on waterproof fabrics need to be maintained with use. If water is wetting out the fabric surface rather than beading up, it's time to renew the coating. Several DWR renewal products (such as Nikwax or Gear Aid) are compatible with technical apparel. Rinse your product with salt-free water and keep it free of debris and contaminants to get the most life out of your DWR.

Zippers

Make sure zipper teeth are clear of debris before and after each use. If a zipper becomes jammed, identify and remove the blockage rather than force through it. Like the rest of the product, store in a dry place out of direct sunlight. Main entry zippers of dry suits and immersion suits should be lubricated regularly following the lubricant product instructions to maintain full waterproofness.

Find more information on YKK® zippers here.  

Seals and Gaskets

Keep wrist and neck seal gaskets away from sharp objects that could cause tears. Remove jewelry before donning and doffing seals. Avoid exposing seals to bug spray or sunscreen, which often contain chemicals that can harm the seal materials. After use, rinse with salt-free water and do not expose to direct sunlight; UV exposure can slowly degrade the material.