18 tips to make school uniform last longer

When looking at cutting household costs, you may want to consider how to make school uniform last longer too.

The clothes your child wears to school can add up, especially if you’re having to buy them all in one go. Therefore, you want to make sure it makes it to the next term (or the next child, if you have more than one!).

We’ve put these tips together to help ensure you don’t have to buy new uniform until it’s grown out of.

In turn, you’ll save yourself future costs when passing down the uniform to their siblings. If your school uniform provider offers a reuse and recycle programme to donate, these tips will also help other parents as well as the environment too.

Here’s our list of top tips to make school uniform last longer.

 

1. Involve your child

Taking care of school uniforms is not just the student’s responsibility but also the parent’s and guardians. Teach children the importance of caring for their uniforms. Encourage them to take pride in their uniforms and treat them respectfully. It can help instil a sense of responsibility and pride in one’s appearance.

 

2. Use a name tag

Where possible, write your child’s name into each item of their uniform. If there’s nowhere to write it, stitch some fabric on the inside. This way, if other children pick up your child’s belongings, they can make their way safely back to you.

 

3. Only wear uniform at school

Encourage your child to change out of their uniform as soon as they get home. This reduces the risk of spills and stains during playtime and other activities. If they’ve somehow managed to arrive at home stain-free, why take the risk and let them eat dinner in it!

 

4. Mending

Promptly mend small tears, loose buttons, or loose hems. This prevents minor issues from turning into major ones that might render the uniform unwearable. Check the uniform for loose threads, missing buttons, or holes. If you’re uncomfortable making repairs, take the uniform to a tailor or seamstress. They can make the necessary repairs and ensure the uniform looks as good as new.

 

5. Deal with stains immediately

Soak stains as quickly as possible. Usually, leaving the clothing in water for 15 minutes to half-an-hour is recommended, followed by a stain remover. However, if you’re dealing with a mud stain, let it dry and then scratch it off gently. Teach your child to pre-treat stains as soon as they occur.

 

6. Pre-treat stains

If you don’t manage to catch a stain as soon as it happens, there may still be time. Prompt stain removal can prevent stains from setting and becoming more difficult to remove. Before washing, inspect the uniforms for stains and treat them with a stain remover. Follow the stain remover’s instructions and allow it to sit for a few minutes before washing.

 

7. Read care labels

Check the care labels on school uniforms for specific washing instructions. Different fabrics and colours may require different care. Washing, drying, and ironing according to these instructions will help maintain the quality of the uniform.

 

8. Sort by colour and fabric

Sort the uniforms based on colour and fabric type. Wash whites, light colours, and dark colours separately to prevent colour bleeding. Also, separate delicate fabrics from sturdier ones.

 

9. Turn inside out

Before washing, turn the uniforms inside out. This helps protect the outer surface and reduces friction with other clothes.

 

10. Washing machine settings

Use a gentle or delicate cycle for uniforms made from delicate fabrics, and a regular cycle for sturdier fabrics. This minimises the stress on the fabric, especially for delicate materials. Use cold water for dark colours to prevent fading and shrinking, and hot/warm water for whites and light colours.

11. Take care of blazers

Most blazers are easy to wash. However, the tricky thing about them is that they may have items in pockets that can damage your washing machine or the blazer itself. Check all pockets and be sure to wash on a cool temperature.

 

12. Laundry detergent

Choose a mild detergent suitable for the uniforms’ fabric type and colours. Avoid using too much detergent, as it can leave residue on the clothes. detergents can break down fibres and colours over time. Avoid using bleach or fabric softener, as these can damage the fabric and cause colours to fade.

 

13. Avoid overloading

Don’t overload the washing machine, as it can prevent proper cleaning. Leave enough space for the uniforms to move freely. Clothes need space to move around for effective cleaning. Overloading can lead to inadequate washing and increased friction between garments.

 

14. Delicate fabrics

If you’re washing delicate fabrics, consider using a laundry bag to protect them. Sometimes, embroidery and stitches can snag on the internal workings of the machine, causing them to unravel. Turn garments with embroidery on them inside out. Zip up zippers and fasten buttons to prevent snagging.

 

15. Drying

After the washing cycle is complete, check the care labels for drying instructions. Hang the uniform to air dry, rather than using a dryer. Some uniforms may be suitable for machine drying, while others might require line drying. Hanging uniforms on a drying rack can help prevent wrinkles. Drying uniforms in a dryer can damage the fabric and cause shrinking.

 

16. Ironing

If necessary, iron the uniforms on the appropriate setting. Be sure to follow the ironing instructions on the care labels to avoid damaging the fabric. Using too much heat can scorch or damage the fabric. Iron the uniform while it’s still slightly damp, making it easier to remove wrinkles. Start with the collar and work your way down, ironing each section carefully. Avoid pressing too hard or leaving the iron in one place for too long.

 

17. Storage

Once the uniforms are clean and dry, fold or hang them neatly to prevent creases. Store them in a cool, dry place, ready for the next school day. Store uniforms in a clean, dry place. Hanging or folding them neatly helps to maintain the shape of the clothing.

 

18. Rotate uniforms

If your child has multiple uniforms, rotate them regularly. This prevents excessive wear and tear on a single set of clothing.

Good luck!

By following these tips, you’ll be able to keep your child’s school in good condition throughout the school year. This way, you’ll be saving you money and reducing the need for replacements. Hopefully, you can even pass the uniform on to siblings, or to your school’s reuse and recycle scheme provided by its uniform supplier.