How to keep school uniforms in top condition

School uniforms can be expensive, so it makes sense to do all you can to prolong their lives before they need to be replaced, especially if you have multiple children to clothe. There are many cleaning, storage and repair tips you can follow to cut your school uniform bill and avoid frequently replacing the garments your children wear, so let’s take a look at some of the most useful advice for parents hoping to keep uniforms in good condition right now.

1. Cleaning

Separate your wash load into whites and colours. You can also use a colour-friendly detergent to prevent fading and treat mud and grass stains with washing-up liquid before you put the garments in the washing machine. Fabric conditioners can prevent bobbling. Don’t wash at a higher temperature than recommended. You can also save time and energy by purchasing easy-iron trousers and shirts.

2. Storage

One of the best ways to store school uniforms is to hang them up when they are not in use. It’s also wise to buy two or three uniforms and alternate between them. This will reduce wear and tear. You can also prevent fading by keeping the clothes away from direct sunlight. Don’t leave sports clothing in bags for longer than you need to because the resulting odours and mildew can be very tough to eliminate. Another valuable tip is to ensure name tags are sewed into everything. This will vastly reduce the chances of garments being lost or ending up in the wrong home.

3. Repairs

Purchase a basic repair kit including hemming tape so you can resolve problems as soon as they appear. Repairing uniforms is generally much easier than replacing them, and many fixes are easier to implement than you might think.

4. Removing marks

It’s common for parents to find themselves dealing with marks from paint, pens, grass and more. Let garments soak in cold water before you apply stain remover and put them in the machine. If white garments are part of the school uniform, invest in an in-wash whitener which will stop them from turning grey.

5. Drying

It’s important to take care when drying uniforms to avoid discolouration and wear. Air dry the garments as soon as you take them out of the machine. If you do use a tumble dryer, dry the clothes on a low heat setting to avoid shrinkage. Some parents take the clothing out of the machine before it is completely dry and let them finish drying out naturally.

6. Encourage kids to get changed at home

You can reduce the chances of uniforms being ruined by asking your children to change out of them as soon as they get home. Chances are they’ll want to continue playing when they arrive home, so instruct them to change into suitable clothing, especially if they’ll be heading outside. This also gives you more time for cleaning and ironing their uniform whilst reducing wear and tear and helping it retain its shape.