Procedure Disassembly Handwashing Machine Washing Cleaning and Washing Procedures Background Colorfastness Scotchgard ® 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. 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. 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  •  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 1.  Remove all canopies, AADs, and component parts,  such as toggles, RSL, ripcords, bags, and elastic  keepers, as well as the packing data card. 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. 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. 7-89