Army Combat Uniform Cleaning Instructions

Army combat uniforms should be washed with a mild detergent.

Army combat uniforms (ACUs) are designed to be durable and long-lasting for soldiers. The Army gives soldiers explicit requirements on how to properly care for the uniforms so they last to their full potential. The Army Study Guide, a website dedicated to providing resources to soldiers, published the Army's requirements for the care of ACUs in 2005. These requirements are in effect for the new uniforms that were released in 2004. Since the release of these new uniforms, changes have been made to the ACU care policy so that uniforms do not require dry cleaning. All uniforms can be cleaned at home if the requirements are followed.

Things You'll Need

• Washer
• Dryer
• Mild detergent - free of optical brighteners

Instructions

1. Set your washing machine cycle to a cold water cycle, this is required by the Army to maximize the service life of the clothes. Do not use bleach. Bleach, warm (or hot) water is hard on the clothes' fibers. Add a mild detergent, free of optical brighteners, according to the machine's instructions. Add the uniform and allow the machine to complete its cycle.

2. Remove the uniform from the washing machine and transfer it to the dryer. At no point should you twist or ring the uniform. Put it in the dryer on a low heat cycle. If necessary, check that your machine will not heat above 130 degrees Fahrenheit during the cycle. The Army also allows that you can hang the clothes to dry as long as they are on a rust-proof hanger and are not hand-rung.

3. Take the clothes out of the dryer as soon as the cycle is finished and either fold them and put them away or hang them on a rust-proof hanger. The Army's directions clearly state that the clothes should not be allowed to wrinkle at any point. Your uniform will now be clean in accordance with Army standards.

Tips & Warnings

• Starch, bleach or fabric softeners are never to be used on Army combat uniforms.

• Mild detergents are recommended, particularly those that do not contain optical brighteners. However, not all detergents state if they have optical brighteners. If necessary the manufacturer can verify if they use optical brighteners or not. Woolite and Cheer Liquid and Powder do not have these brighteners.

References

• Army Study Guide: ACU Wear and Care Policy
• Military: ACU Care
• Ranger Joe's ACU: Care
• Army Study Guide: Laundry Detergents for Use With the Army ACU

Resources

• My Life as a Military Spouse: ACU Washing Dos and Dont's