|
|
Post by Stinger on Jul 6, 2014 22:14:43 GMT -5
Airsoft is a messy game, especially when you have to play at fields that paintballers have access to. And paintball paint smells terrible. So, how do you guys clean your stuff off? I've read Ogre's thread about stains, but this is a bit more broad. I want to know how I should wash my ACUs properly, without fading them. They are not IR compliant, so I'm not worried about that. Ex-military, I'd be very interested to hear how you guys did it. Per my internet search results, I have been using a very small amount of unscented, dye-free detergent in a washing machine set to "Delicate." My question also includes drying. For that, I've just set it to "Delicate." I feel that machine drying might be bad though. I also want to know how I can clean my gear (battle belt, pouches, etc.). So far, I have been washing them in a similar way as the clothing, but I've been hanging them up to dry. Bad idea? Finally: Boots (specifically, some variation of Gore-Tex rebranded by Cabela's) My internet search results varied, some saying you shouldn't wash them at all, to others saying you can wash them in a tub sink and leave them in the sun to dry (which is what I've been doing). I feel like that's bad for them. As I stated, I'd be interested to hear how the military does this, as I'm not only curious, but I also feel like that's how I want to do it (max realism FTW  ). |
|
Gabriel
New Member
The face of a man who has seen the Ancient Ones is forever twisted by the memory.
Posts: 455 
|
Post by Gabriel on Jul 6, 2014 22:37:20 GMT -5
Cammies? Toss em in the washing machine. Throw some non optical brightening soap in. The length and intensity of the cycle depends on how dirty they are. All cammies will fade a little. Its fabric. You're washing it. Its gonna happen. Nicer quality stuff (Propper, Crye) won't fade very much, and won't fade a lot unless you deploy. Truspec fades like a MOFO. You don't have to be as careful as people make it seem. Even the optical brighteners only matter if your enemy has NODs.
Boots? Scuzz off the dirt with a scrub brush and water. Let dry in the sun, or while wearing them if possible.
Wash the ever living F√€k out your skivvies.
Silkies are awesome. Boxers meet banana hammocks.
|
|
|
|
Post by Stinger on Jul 6, 2014 22:50:22 GMT -5
My ACUs are made by Propper, for the record. I have whichever cotton/poly mix is not milspec. As for my underwear: I wear compression shorts/compression top. I hate bunching, and I have a bunch (pun unintended, just noticed while reading again) of Under Armour (Armor?) heatgear from sports 'n stuff. I find that it works great. As suggested, I blast the ever living fuck out of that stuff.  |
|
|
|
Post by ldouce90 on Jul 6, 2014 23:27:14 GMT -5
Yep, just keep putting 'em in the washer. I always used the heaviest cycle and a ton of detergent. Don't dry the hats though, they'll shrink. If you wash the deserts with your Woodlands the deserts won't fade as fast.
For gear, I disassemble it all, fasten all the buckles and wash on heavy cycle too. They're fine to put in the dryer also, but they'll make a hell of a racket.
For suede military boots, do what Gabriel said. Don't use the cleaner that Kiwi makes, it always left blotchy stains on mine. Best thing you can do with those is pretreat them with a suede protector.
Oh yeah, fabric softener is nice on cammies too!
Btw, if you really want to do it the "military" way, go outside to a water spigot and give a homeless guy a handle of liquor and tell him to scream at you while you dump detergent on your cammies then scrub it out under the faucet. Just like the real thing!
|
|
|
|
Post by Stinger on Jul 6, 2014 23:38:32 GMT -5
Btw, if you really want to do it the "military" way, go outside to a water spigot and give a homeless guy a handle of liquor and tell him to scream at you while you dump detergent on your cammies then scrub it out under the faucet. Just like the real thing! Hahaha seriously? Drill sergeants just yell at grunts while they scrub their uniforms? I know it's at least more advanced on Navy vessels. The History Channel had a whole show about how the laundry is done on aircraft carriers. Or something |
|
|
|
Post by ldouce90 on Jul 6, 2014 23:41:29 GMT -5
Well drill instructors for us, but yeah, at least at boot camp anyways. In the field it's the same minus the yelling. In garrison is washing machines unless your NCO gets a hair up his ass.
|
|
|
|
Post by Stinger on Jul 6, 2014 23:55:03 GMT -5
In garrison is washing machines unless your NCO gets a hair up his ass. Detail, man, detailDid they have to be folded a certain way? How often did you have to wash? etc. |
|
|
|
Post by ldouce90 on Jul 6, 2014 23:59:45 GMT -5
When to wash? Whenever they're dirty. For folding? Not really, with the new stuff you would roll them up in a tight bundle to save space. They don't wrinkle or need to be pressed like the old tricolors.
But once again, all that stuff depends on where you are and what your unit is doing. In a garrison environment you don't usually do any of that, just treat 'em like normal clothes.
If you have any other questions about active military stuff feel free to pm me, I don't wanna derail this thread any more!
|
|
|
|
Post by Stinger on Jul 7, 2014 0:14:59 GMT -5
Haha alright, thanks!
Anyone else...feel free to speak up.
|
|
|
|
Post by eagledriver on Jul 9, 2014 7:03:18 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Stinger on Jul 9, 2014 13:27:12 GMT -5
Do optical brightener only apply to the IR coating (whatever you would call it)? Or do they have some effect on nonstandard ACUs as well? |
|
Impulse
New Member
Ayatollah Rock n' Rolla
And on the third day, God created the Remington bolt-action rifle.
Posts: 534
|
Post by Impulse on Jul 9, 2014 17:12:39 GMT -5
Optical brighteners have effects on all fabric. They exist to sharpen colors and increase contrast. This is typically not your goal when wearing battle dress...
They also have a stark effect in UV, plenty of photos of glowing ACUs made the rounds in the past decade. This effect can be mitigated with common UV mask solutions, however.
|
|
|
|
Post by Stinger on Jul 9, 2014 20:36:14 GMT -5
Optical brighteners have effects on all fabric. They exist to sharpen colors and increase contrast. This is typically not your goal when wearing battle dress... They also have a stark effect in UV, plenty of photos of glowing ACUs made the rounds in the past decade. This effect can be mitigated with common UV mask solutions, however. So I should avoid optical brighteners regardless of IR. |
|
Impulse
New Member
Ayatollah Rock n' Rolla
And on the third day, God created the Remington bolt-action rifle.
Posts: 534
|
Post by Impulse on Jul 10, 2014 19:27:41 GMT -5
Technically yes. But I'll admit it does not make a mentionable difference if you're only worried about visible light... especially for airsoft.
|
|
).
