The basic cleaning process for a plate carrier is fairly fast and easy, but some care should be taken to avoid a few problems. In most cases you can spot-clean a plate carrier with just a little soap and water. However, after many hours of wearing a plate carrier it can get a bit ripe and may require some deeper cleaning. Cleaning a plate carrier the wrong way can significantly reduce the life span of the carrier or result in complete failure. Under no circumstances should you every place a plate carrier in a washing machine or dryer. Aside from the possibility of shrinking the carrier, using a washing machine can damage buckles and retaining clips. The following instructions will help you get the stank out of your carrier while preventing damage to the seams and accessories.

How to Clean Soft Armor Vests

Note that the soft armor panels should never be submerged in water or exposed to harsh detergents. These steps apply to carriers such as our Level IIIA Wraparound Concealment Vest and Spartan DL Concealment Carrier.

1. Remove the body armor panels by opening the armor chambers on the inside of the vest.
   • Note that for the Level IIIA Wraparound Vest you must open the zippered pouches at the bottom of the carrier on the inside.
2. Handwash the front and back of the carrier in cold water using a small amount of laundry detergent. You can remove any Velcro straps to make this process easier, just take note of how they are attached before removing them.
3. Rinse the carrier well in cold water and squeeze out excess water. Avoid tightly wringing the carrier as this may cause it to stretch or tear.
4. Air-dry the carrier in a warm well-ventilated location. Outdoors is a good location, but try to avoid direct sunlight to minimize fading.
5. Once the vest is completely dry, insert the soft armor panels then attach Velcro straps (if removed in step 2). Now is also a good time to inspect the plate carrier for any tears or defects before putting it back into service.

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