How to Iron an Army Military Uniform

A steam iron may be used on the Army Combat Uniform

The Army Combat Uniform (ACU) was designed to be inexpensive and easy to care for by the soldiers who wear it. Unlike its predecessor, the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU), the Army Combat Uniform does not require starching or dry-cleaning and may be laundered at home. This uniform will require ironing to keep it looking crisp. Ironing the Army Combat Uniform will take only a few minutes and can be easily accomplished by anyone, whether military or civilian.

Things You'll Need

• Army Combat Uniform
• Mild laundry detergent
• Steam iron
• Ironing Board

Instructions

Wash and dry

1. Remove all hook-and-loop fastener (Velcro) patches, rank, flags and name tapes from the Army Combat Uniform shirt and set aside. Open all pockets and make sure there are no objects inside. Loosen the hook-and-loop closures at each wrist of the shirt sleeve. Turn the sleeves inside out.

2. Unbutton the buttons on the Army Combat Uniform Trouser. Untie the strings at the ankles of the trousers. Check all pockets for objects and remove. Remove the belt from the belt loop, if it is still attached. Turn the legs of the trousers inside out.

3. Wash the Army Combat uniform by itself in a washing machine. Use mild laundry detergent that does not contain bleach. Set the machine on normal cycle with a cold water wash and cold water rinse.

4. Remove the uniform from the washing machine. Place the uniform in a clothes dryer. Add a fabric softener sheet to the dryer. Turn the dryer on and allow the clothing to dry for 20 to 30 minutes or until no longer damp in some of the heavier areas such as the wristband of the shirt or waistband of the trousers. Remove the clothing from the clothes dryer as soon as it has finished drying.

Iron

1. Fill a steam iron with water to the suggested fill line. Turn the dial on the bottom of the iron to a cotton setting. Plug the iron in and set it on top of the ironing board face up until it begins to show signs of steam coming out of the top of the iron.

2. Turn the trouser legs right-side out. Place the trouser legs on the ironing board so that the end of the ironing board is inside the trouser leg. Iron the trousers, rotating the fabric as you do in order to iron the entire trousers.

3. Turn the sleeves of the Army Combat Uniform shirt right-side out. Place the uniform on the ironing board so that the board is inside one of the sleeves near the shoulder. Iron the sleeve and then rotate the shirt around the ironing board so that you can iron all the sections.

References

• 4 Military Families: Laundering the Army Combat Uniform