Can you wash a plate carrier?

[Elvis]

Mine is getting a bit stinky. I was wondering if it would ruin it if I washed it. And if it is possible how do I go about doing it? Thanks

[voodoo]

I will neither confirm nor deny throwing my IBA in the washer. But if this were to happen I would run it like normal and it would come clean.

[dizzyshot (Bad Company)]

I just throw my Plate Carrier in the washer then let it air dry. Works good comes out clean no problems. I would suggest though that every time you wash your plate carrier is to wash it alone.

[Elvis]

I think I am going to take the safe route and strip everything off of it, fill a tote full of soapy water and and hand clean it. Then proceed to let it air dry

[Squirrel]

I would go with the tote bin and probably use a soap like woolite. It wont discolor anything or ruin any threading. It is what I used to do with my chest protector when I played goalie back in the day.

[Phantom G3]

Squirrel is correct. The best way to wash a PC is to strip all pouches off of it, take out any plates (if applicable) and hand wash it. I mean yeah, you can put it in the washing machine, but that has a potential to not only ruin the webbing/threading on your PC but also harm the washing machine (depending on the size of your PC [i.e. a CIRAS over a chest rig]).

Just like what Squirrel said about Woolite, it is a good idea. Woolite does not use any type of UV (Ultra-Violet) Brightners in it. UV Brightners are a type of chemical that uses a coloration outside of the light spectrum that our eyes can pick up, hence Ultra-Violet (above violet). Because of this, it not only brightens the color on the cloth but also makes you appear a lot brighter, like a ghost, in IRNVs (InfraRed Night Vision). Which is why soldiers are asked to wash with Woolite, or similar, detergents.

Woolite, and other similar detergents, are very gentle to the fabric because it was meant for wool clothing or any other delicate clothes. Because of this, the fabric on your PC and the threading will last longer.

Be careful of hand washing and letting to air/hang dry in the sun. This can start to "bleach" the coloring and it also harms the threading which can lead to MOLLE webbing failure or potential rips.

[Mosin]

I wouldn't use soap or any detergent personally, but it is a well accepted trend in Marine Corps life that when turning in gear, one only needs a good scrub brush, a knife, water, and coca-cola will suffice. Use a knife to scrape off any large amounts of skin deposits/buildup from sweat (around the necklines), then soak plate carrier in bin with water and coke mixture, maybe 2 parts water 1 part coke. Once you've got the major stuff scrubbed out and off, rinse generously with water to remove all deposits of coke, and then let dry. Whop.