Dress, Right, Dress: Frequently asked questions about cleaning do’s, don’t’s

  • Published
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Keeping in line with AFI 36-2903, Dress and Appearance of Air Force Personnel, and the Air Force Uniform Board's upcoming uniform changes, questions regarding the new Airman Battle Uniform have arisen and below is information all service members should know about the new gear. Questions and answers will be printed periodically to keep military members informed.

Question: Does the Airman Battle Uniform require dry cleaning and/or pressing?
Answer: The ABU is literally a wash and wear item. In fact, starching and hot pressing of ABUs is prohibited. Also, one should not dry clean the ABU. Dry cleaning, starching and hot pressing will deteriorate the fiber in the uniform and shorten the wear life. 

Question: What are the washing and care requirements for the ABU?
Answer: In order to maximize service life and maintain optimum performance, the following instructions should be followed when caring for the ABU:
-- Wash in warm water with detergent containing no optical brighteners or bleach. -- Tumble dry at low heat.
-- The use of starch, sizing and any process that involves dry-cleaning or steam press will adversely affect the treatments and durability of the uniform and is not authorized.
 
Question: How could starch damage the uniform?
Answer: Starching of the ABU is prohibited. Starching uniforms makes the uniform material more brittle and subsequently reduces the wear life. The permanent press and near Infrared features of this uniform will be damaged by starching, commercial pressing and additives in the washing process. The permanent press feature will allow Airmen to look sharp and wear the ABU without incurring the costs of commercial dry cleaning or pressing. 

(Information courtesy of the Air Force Portal at www.my.af.mil)