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## Cleaning and Washing Procedures 

• Applicable products: Most harness and container systems 

• Description: Cleaning and washing parachute components 

• Authorized repairmen: FAA Senior or Master Parachute Rigger 

• Materials: Woolite $^{®}$ or similar mild liquid soap and a lot of clean fresh water 

• Machines: Jumbo tumbler type commercial washing machine. It is not recommended to do this in your home washing machine. 

• Equipment: Medium stiffness scrub brush, large pillowcase or laundry bag, wash tub, assortment of rags, and extra laundry 

## Background 

This procedure applies only to harness and container systems. Most canopy manufacturers do not approve of washing their products to clean them. Doing so may alter the performance characteristics of the canopy. Follow the instructions in the owner’s manual for each make and model of canopy. 

## Colorfastness 

It is important to check for colorfastness of certain types of materials. Colored E thread and Type-3 binding tape have shown a tendency for their colors to run when wet or damp. Red is particularly prone to doing so. Before using the following procedures, the rigger or owner should check for colorfastness. Do so by wetting a small area of the container including the binding tape and then lay a damp piece of white cotton t-shirt on the wet area. Leave for 30 minutes. Check to see if any color has transferred to the cotton fabric. If not, then it is probably alright to wash the rig. Remember, this procedure in no way guarantees that the colors will not run. 

## Procedure 

## Disassembly 

1. Remove all canopies, AADs, and component parts, such as toggles, RSL, ripcords, bags, and elastic keepers, as well as the packing data card. 

## Handwashing 

1. Soak the rig in lukewarm water. Apply straight Woolite $^{®}$ or soap onto the dirtiest areas and scrub with the brush. Soak in lukewarm water for 20 minutes. 

2. Scrub the rig vigorously all over. Soak for another 20 minutes. 

3. Continue scrubbing vigorously and soak for another 20 minutes. For particularly dirty rigs, empty the first batch of soapy water and wash in a fresh batch of soapy water. 

4. Squeeze out as much soapy water as possible. Immerse in fresh, clean, cool water and rinse several times until no further soap comes out. 

5. Hang to dry out of direct sunlight. The use of a fan directly onto the rig will greatly speed up the drying process. 

## Machine Washing 

1. Wrap the hardware of the rig with the rags to pad them so they do not beat the inside of the machine. 

2. Soak the rig in lukewarm water and apply Woolite $^{®}$ or other soap directly onto the dirtiest parts. Scrub these parts vigorously. Allow these parts to absorb the Woolite $^{®}$ during the time traveling to the Laundromat. 

3. Place the rig into the pillowcase or laundry bag and add extra padding, such as extra laundry. Levi’s $^{®}$ work exceptionally well for this. Tie off the pillowcase or bag to hold everything in. Place in the washing machine adding more washing soap and Woolite $^{®}$ and wash in warm water. 

4. Run through at least two rinse cycles or hand rinse several times until no soap comes out. 

5. Hang to dry out of direct sunlight. The use of a fan onto the rig will greatly speed up the drying process. 

## Scotchgard ® 

The use of Scotchgard$^{®}$ brand fabric protector has become commonplace in recent years. This fabric treatment seals the pores of the fabric against dirt and other stains. Scotchgard ® is not a magical “silver bullet” against dirt. However, it has shown good results in keeping lighter-colored fabric cleaner longer under normal use. Grinding in on grass or asphalt 

