Uniform Care

Uniform Care Instructions

As a parent, you make a significant investment in school uniforms. To help you get the most out of this investment, we’ve compiled detailed care instructions to ensure your uniforms remain in pristine condition, lasting through the school year and beyond. Here’s a testimonial from a parent that has inspired our approach.

"As the mom of four boys attending Great Hearts, I knew that our uniform investment would be significant, and I wanted to ensure that we got the most use out of our uniforms. I always wash my uniforms together on a gentle cycle. This ensures that any stains get the hot water they need but that the uniforms are not spun too much. The most important thing I do to keep our uniforms looking new is always to hang dry them. The hardest thing on clothes is the dryer. So, after removing the shirts and shorts from the washer and shaking out the wrinkles, I hang all the shirts on hangers. Hang-drying them ensures that the blue stays blue and that the collar never goes wonky. After over a year with many of our uniform shirts and shorts, they continue to look fantastic and are ready to be inherited by the next brother in line."
Archway Trivium Parent - Jaime F.

Care Tips For Uniform Longevity

How should I prepare uniforms before washing?

Always check the garment labels for specific care instructions. These labels provide essential information about fabric care that can prevent damage during cleaning.

  • Cycle: Use the gentle cycle on your washing machine to protect the fabrics. This cycle uses less agitation, which preserves the life of the uniforms.
  • Temperature: Use cold to warm water. Hot water might be harsh on certain fabrics and can lead to fading and shrinking.
  • Detergent: Opt for a mild detergent that is effective yet gentle on fabrics.
Is it better to machine dry or hang dry uniforms?

Avoid using the dryer as it can be quite harsh on clothes, potentially causing fading, shrinking, and misshaping. Instead, shake out any wrinkles and hang the uniforms on hangers to air dry. This method maintains the uniform’s color and shape, particularly ensuring that items like collars and creases remain crisp.

  • Avoid the Dryer: The heat from a dryer can be harsh on clothes, leading to fading, shrinking, and misshaping.
  • Hang Dry: After washing, shake out any wrinkles and hang the uniforms on hangers to air dry. This method helps maintain the color and shape of the uniforms.
  • Indoor Drying: If possible, dry the uniforms indoors or in the shade to prevent sun damage.
What is the best way to store uniforms

Store uniforms on hangers to maintain their shape and reduce the need for ironing. Fold items like sweaters to prevent stretching and hang items like shirts and pants to avoid wrinkles.

  • Hangers: Store uniforms on hangers to maintain their shape and reduce the need for ironing.
  • Fold vs. Hang: Fold items like sweaters to prevent stretching. Hang items like shirts and pants to avoid wrinkles.
How can I extend the life of uniforms?

Rotate uniforms to avoid excessive wear on any single garment. Also, treat stains immediately to prevent them from setting. These practices help keep the uniforms looking fresh and new for longer periods.

Rotation: Rotate uniforms to avoid excessive wear on any single garment.

Immediate Care: Treat stains immediately to prevent setting.

COLOR AND SHAPE

After washing, shake out any wrinkles and hang the uniforms on hangers to air dry. This method helps maintain the color and shape of the uniforms.

AVOID THE DRYER

The heat from a dryer can be harsh on clothes, leading to fading, shrinking, and misshaping. If possible, dry the uniforms indoors or in the shade to prevent sun damage.

By following these care instructions, you can ensure that your school uniforms look their best throughout their wear and are ready to be passed down when the time comes. We hope this guide helps you maximize the life of your uniforms, keeping them looking fresh and new as they transition from one student to the next.