Pre Shrinking BDU Tapes

[DC]

I have heard of pre shinking BDU tapes prior to sewing them on, to avoid those buckles and ridges when you wash them. Does anyone know how to do this?

[MIKE]

Put them in pocket of BDU uniform with other cloth insignia. Throw trousers and blouse in washer.

[Wildblueflyer]

Put them in pocket of BDU uniform with other cloth insignia. Throw trousers and blouse in washer.

LOL 

[Eeyore]

Put them in pocket of BDU uniform with other cloth insignia. Throw trousers and blouse in washer.

LOL 

I dunno about you, but that's the way I've always done it too. Why is it so funny?

[cnitas]

Well, I have always understood the proper way to pin the tapes and other cloth insignia to the uniform with a large safety pin and then toss the pants and shirt into the laundry. 

this leaves the tapes exposed to the maximum amount of water and warm air, resulting in maximum shrinkage.   

[mikeylikey]

.....resulting in maximum shrinkage. 

haha hahahaha haha haha 

[SarDragon]

Well, I have always understood the proper way to pin the tapes and other cloth insignia to the uniform with a large safety pin and then toss the pants and shirt into the laundry. 

this leaves the tapes exposed to the maximum amount of water and warm air, resulting in maximum shrinkage.   

They get just as much water and hot air inside the pocket as they might when pinned to the outside, and there is no chance of either the tape otr the blouse getting damaged if the pin gets caught on something. I have done that with all of my sew-on stuff in CAP, and the Navy, too.

[Lancer]

I just use a washable mesh garment bag, toss in, zip up, wash, dry, your done.

[SarDragon]

That works, too, if you just need to wash tapes. Forgot about that trick.

[Hawk200]

I have done that with all of my sew-on stuff in CAP, and the Navy, too.

Same here, with CAP, Air Force, and Army.

[cnitas]

Well, I have always understood the proper way to pin the tapes and other cloth insignia to the uniform with a large safety pin and then toss the pants and shirt into the laundry. 

this leaves the tapes exposed to the maximum amount of water and warm air, resulting in maximum shrinkage.   

They get just as much water and hot air inside the pocket as they might when pinned to the outside, and there is no chance of either the tape otr the blouse getting damaged if the pin gets caught on something. I

I know that.  I was trying to be a little bit funny since the question had already been answered.

[DrDave]

Don't forget to prewash/preshrink any and all other patches that will go on your BDU -- i.e. Wing patch if authorized, badges or wings, squadron patches, etc.

(I use the cotton mesh zippered bag to wash and dry my stuff.)

Dr. Dave