Posted By peter gotch
Try www.google.com

then key words

proban wash

Lots of hits including

www.fireclothing.com/proban.htm copied below:

Proban®


History: Proban® chemical is a flame-retardant treatment applied to fabrics of 100% Cotton. This process meets Canadian Standards 4GP2-27.1 for flamability performance relevant to industrial clothing.

Protection: When flame comes into contact with Proban® chemical treated cotton, it forms a strong, localized, solid char which immediately insulated the wearer from the heat of the flame. Independent testing and customer experience has shown that the efficacy of Proban® chemical treated cotton remains after 25 - 35 washings under standard wash temperatures of 60 C, or with dry cleaning.

Comfort: Proban® chemical treated cotton retains all the essential comfort factors (such as air permeability and moisture transmission) of natural cotton.

Cleaning and Instructions: Proban® garments may be laundered at 60 C, or dry-cleaned with no adverse effects to the fire retardant properties of the garment.

It is imperative that garments are laundered or dry cleaned as soon as they become contaminated with flammable products.

Chlorine bleaches should be avoided as hydrochlorides, after repeated uses, will impair the flame-retardant properties of the fabric.

Soap and carbonate builders in hard wter have a neutralizing effect on flame retardancy and should be avoided. Detergents should be used in hard water.

Launder Proban® treated garments only with other garments made from 100% cotton.

Dry cleaning is recommended to remove petroleum-based stains. Dry cleaning has no adverse effect on the fire retardancy of the fabric.

Shrinkage: Since cotton is a natural fabric, garments are susceptible to shrinkage. Based on experience we recommend that to minimize shrinkage, garments fabricated with Proban® chemical treated cotton be dry cleaned, or washed in 60'C water, put into the dryer for 5 minutes and then hung to dry.


A quick glance at PPE catalogue indicates rough difference in price between ordinary overalls and flame-retardant is approx £27 less the substantial discount that you should be getting.

Regards, Peter