At Gogna, we’re committed to offering quality kids school uniforms at affordable prices because we understand that shopping for children can be a significant expense, especially with multiple kids. Since your child wears their uniform daily, it’s essential that it stays clean, comfortable, and ready for the rigours of the school day.
To help you extend the life of your kids schoolwear and keep your child looking sharp, we’ve created a guide to making school uniforms last longer. Here are 20 detailed tips to help you keep those school uniforms looking fresh and in great condition throughout the school year.
It’s especially important to wash knitwear, jumpers, cardigans, and wool items inside out to prevent pilling, which occurs when fibres break and form unsightly knots. Washing clothes inside out also helps protect school trousers, patterned clothing, and items with logos from fading or cracking, as the outer parts won’t rub against other clothes during washing.
While you need a certain temperature to kill germs, washing clothes at 60 degrees isn’t necessary. Cold water works for most items, and washing at 30 degrees helps prevent shrinking and fading, as heat is more damaging to fabrics than washing. Washing in cold water also reduces creases and wrinkles, saving energy on ironing. Some stains, like sweat, are better removed with cold water, as hot water can set them into the fabric. So, next time you do laundry, turn the dial down to 30 degrees to protect your kids school uniform.
Tumble drying, while convenient, can shrink and damage school uniforms due to heat and agitation, leading to premature wear. The lint in the dryer tray is tiny fabric particles from your clothes, indicating wear and tear. Air drying, although less convenient, preserves uniform quality and extends its lifespan.
Using too much detergent can leave clothes unclean and may cause dirt and soap to get trapped in areas like collars and cuffs, leading to musty odours from bacteria buildup. Excess detergent also prevents clothes from rubbing against each other, which is essential for cleaning. If your clothes come out with streaks and don’t rinse properly, you’re likely using too much soap, which can shorten their lifespan.
Heat damages clothes, and tumble drying introduces creases that need ironing. However, some fabrics like ties and blazers can’t be ironed, so they’ll need to be hung up with time to naturally de-crease. Repeated ironing can wear out fabrics, causing shiny patches, especially on trousers. To preserve your clothes, only iron them when necessary, and air-dry them to reduce major creases.
Encourage children to change out of their school uniforms as soon as they get home. Wearing uniforms around the house increases the risk of stains, spills, and general wear, reducing the lifespan of the clothing.
Address stains as soon as they occur to prevent them from setting in and becoming difficult to remove. Use a stain remover suitable for the fabric and follow the care instructions to effectively treat the spot without damaging the uniform. Pre-treat the stain for better results.
Always follow the care instructions on the garment’s label. These guidelines are tailored to the specific fabric and design of the uniform. This ensures that you use the best washing, drying, and ironing methods to maintain its quality.
Sorting kids school uniforms by colour before washing prevents colour bleeding and keeps light-coloured garments from becoming dingy. Washing similar colours together ensures that darks and brights don’t affect lighter fabrics, maintaining their original appearance.
Labelling uniforms with name tags helps prevent loss and mix-ups, especially when uniforms look so similar. Choose good quality iron-on or sew-in labels that withstand regular washing and wear.
Address small rips and tears promptly to prevent them from getting worse. Mending early can save the uniform from further damage, ensuring it stays intact and presentable for longer.
Proper storage is crucial to maintaining the shape and appearance of uniforms. Use hangers to store uniforms to prevent wrinkles and creases, and keep them in a dry, well-ventilated area to avoid mustiness and mould.
Having multiple sets of uniforms and rotating them evenly helps distribute wear and tear, prolonging the life of each item. This way, no single uniform is subjected to excessive washing and use.
While it may be tempting to save money, investing in higher-quality school uniforms often means they will last longer and withstand the rigours of daily wear better. Look for durable fabrics and well-constructed garments that can handle frequent washing and activity.
Educate children on the importance of taking care of their uniforms. Teach them simple habits like hanging up their blazers, using a napkin during meals, and changing out of their uniforms after school to minimise damage.
Regularly using a lint remover helps keep uniforms looking neat by removing bobbling, pet hair, and other debris. This simple tool can maintain the fabric’s appearance and ensure uniforms look crisp and clean.
Take off any detachable badges or pins before washing to prevent them from catching on the fabric or damaging the washing machine. This also avoids any potential staining or wear on the garment where the badge is attached.
Overloading the washing machine can cause excessive wear on the uniforms and prevent them from being properly cleaned. Wash in smaller loads to ensure that each item has enough space to move around and get thoroughly cleaned.
Drying uniforms in direct sunlight can lead to colour fading and fabric degradation. Opt for a shaded area or indoor drying space to preserve the colour and integrity of the fabric.
After P.E. classes, wash sports kits as soon as possible to prevent odours, sweat stains, and bacterial growth. Prompt washing keeps them fresh and ready for the next use, extending their lifespan and maintaining hygiene.
Here at Gogna, we’re all about providing quality uniforms, made to last, at affordable prices. If it’s time to replace your child’s schoolwear, we supply everything you’ll need for a complete boys’ school uniform or girls’ school uniform, whether in primary or secondary school. You can shop by school or check out our range of unbranded girls’ andboys’ blazers and polo shirts as well as high-quality skirts, trousers, jumpers, cardigans and coats. Alternatively, contact us for more information.
