When it comes to working in arboriculture, safety should always be a top priority. Proper maintenance of your chainsaw trousers is important to ensure its longevity. At Arbortec, we offer high-quality protective chainsaw clothing designed to keep you safe while working with chainsaws. In this blog post, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to maintain your Arbortec chainsaw trousers, so that any user can maximise its performance and extend its lifespan.
Maintaining your Chainsaw Trousers
- Pre-treating stains and dirt:
Before washing your chainsaw apparel, it is important to pre-treat any stains or excess dirt. Here is our following advice for various types of stains:
- Tree sap: dampen a cloth and apply alcohol or hand sanitizer. Gently dab the affected area until the sap is removed.
- Machinery oil: apply washing liquid to a damp cloth and dab it on the oil stain until it is lifted from the fabric.
- Dirt of mud: soak the garment in detergent for a pre-soak to loosen dirt or mud particles before washing.
- Blood stains: use enzymes in human spit to remove small amounts of blood. Spit directly onto the stain, rub gently for 30 seconds, and then add hand soap or dish soap. Rinse with cold water.
- Grass stains: create a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar. Scrub the grass stains with this solution until they are removed.
- Empty pockets and zip up all zips:
Before washing your chainsaw trousers, always ensure that all pockets are empty and make sure to zip up all zips, as open zips can become damaged during the washing cycle. This will prevent any items from getting damaged during the washing process, and to maintain the shape of the garment.
2. Washing instructions:
Generally, it is recommended to wash your chainsaw trousers using a mild detergent or use our Nikwax Techwash on a gentle cycle. It is easy and safe to use, it is designed to efficiently remove dirt and traces of detergent. Pour three full caps (or 150ml) of Nikwax Techwash into the machine. Either wash at 40° or go green wash at 30°. Avoid using bleach or fabric softeners as they can degrade the garment’s protective qualities.
3. Drying:
After washing, remove your chainsaw apparel from the washing machine promptly. To maintain the shape and fit, avoid wringing the garments. Instead, reshape whilst damp and hang them to dry in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight. Avoid using a clothes dryer, as high heat can damage the fabric and cause shrinkage.
4. Repairing:
Identify the damaged area, and use our Arbortec repair kit for either the Breatheflex or Breatheflex Pro chainsaw trousers. These kits contain fabric patches that can be glued or stitched onto the outer layer of the damaged area of the trousers. Alternatively, you can use a sewing machine to stitch the patch securely onto the outer layer of the trousers. Please note: the patches should not be glued or stitched to the inner clogging fabric.
Proper maintenance of your Arbortec chainsaw trousers is essential for its longevity. By pre-treating stains, and following correct washing and drying instructions, you can keep your apparel in excellent condition. Browse the full chainsaw trousers collection at Arbortec here.