Cleaning Fabric Items with Cleaning Solvent

ARMY TM 10-1670-271-23&P AIR FORCE TO 14D1-2-464-2 MARINE CORPS TM 01136B-23&P/1 NOTE Cleaning of parachutes should be held to a minimum and should be performed only when necessary to prevent malfunction or deterioration. When a parachute contains debris, or when it is soiled by dirt, oil, grease, rust, corrosion, or other foreign substances to such an extent that cleaning is necessary, the cleaning should be performed manually and should be limited to the soiled area only, unless the parachute has been contaminated by water. The methods of cleaning must be determined by the nature of the substance to be removed. Do not use cleaning solvent to clean item soiling caused by air sickness. Use a solution of hand dish washing compound to clean this type of soiling. a. Cleaning Fabric Items with Cleaning Solvent. Use cleaning solvent to clean fabric items as follows: (1) Gently brush with a soft bristle brush. (2) Spot clean with cleaning solvent tetracholoroethylene. (a) Rub the soiled area with a clean cloth dampened with tetrachloroethylene. (b) Rinse the cleaned area by repeating the rubbing process with the clean portion of the cloth dampened with the cleaning solvent. NOTE Do not wring out the rinsed area If an excessive amount of cleaning solvent was applied. b. Cleaning Fabric Items with a Solution of Hand Dish washing Compound. Use dish washing compound to clean fabric Items as follows. (1) Gently brush with a soft bristle brush. (2) Spot clean with a solution of dishwashing compound. (a) Dissolve one-half cup of dishwashing compound In one gallon of warm water. (b) Rub the soiled area with a clean cloth dampened with the solution of dishwashing compound. (c) Rinse the cleaned area by repeating rubbing process with a clean portion of the cloth dampened with the dishwashing compound. c. Rinsing Parachute Assembly Immersed in Salt Water. If the parachute, or any of its components, has been immersed in salt water in excess of 24 hours it will be condemned. Additionally, if the parachute, or any of its components, has been Immersed in salt water for a period less than 24 hours, but which cannot be rinsed within 48 hours after recovery, it will also be condemned. However, if the cited time limitations can be met, then immediately upon recovery, suspend or elevate the parachute assembly in a shaded area and allow it to drain for at least 5 minutes. Do not attempt to wring the fabric 2-19