How to Care for School Uniforms and Kids' Clothing: Tips to Make Them Last Longer and Stay Looking Great

As parents, we all know the struggle of keeping our kids' school uniforms and everyday clothes looking fresh and new, despite their active lifestyles and inevitable messes. Whether it's the dirt from the playground, the accidental spills at lunch, or the constant wear and tear of their clothes, it can be tough to maintain their clothes for an entire school year. But with a little extra care, you can help your children's clothing stay in great shape and last longer, and as it turns out many of the things that are best for clothes are also better for the environment, so its’s a win-win! Here's how to care for school uniforms and kids' clothes to keep them looking their best:

1. Pre-Treat Stains Immediately Kids can be little mess magnets, but don't worry—timely stain treatment can make a world of difference. When your child comes home with food stains, grass marks, or mud splatters, try to treat the stains as soon as possible. The longer stains sit, the harder they are to remove.

• How to treat: Blot the stain gently with a paper towel to remove excess residue, then apply a stain remover or a mixture of baking soda and water directly to the affected area. Let it sit for about 15-20 minutes before washing.

• Tip: Always test stain removers on a small, hidden part of the fabric first to ensure it won’t damage or discolour the material.

2. Follow the Care Instructions on Labels We’ve all been guilty of ignoring laundry instructions, but following the care label can make a huge difference in the longevity of the garment. Fabrics like cotton, wool, and polyester all have specific washing and drying needs that, when followed correctly, can prevent fading, shrinking, and fabric damage.

• Washing: Make sure to wash uniforms in cold or warm water (as recommended), and choose a gentle cycle for delicate fabrics. Choose a cold wash whenever you can as it is gentler on both clothes and the environment.

• Drying: If the label indicates tumble drying, always use the lowest heat setting. Air-drying is often the safest bet for most materials and has the added benefit of using less energy so helps protect the household budget and the environment. Did you know that drying clothes in the sun also helps to lighten stains and brighten whites?

3. Use a Gentle Detergent and Fabric Softener For sensitive skin and to maintain the softness of the fabric, use a mild, hypoallergenic detergent that’s free from harsh chemicals and dyes. Harsh detergents can weaken fabric fibres over time, causing fading and deterioration. Fabric softeners can help keep clothes feeling soft and looking crisp, but use them sparingly, as too much can break down the fabric over time.

• Tip: Consider using a detergent specifically formulated babies or children’s clothing, as these are usually hypoallergenic and often contain ingredients that protect the colour and fabric.

• Tip: Staying away from detergents that contain harsh chemicals is also helping to reduce the environmental contamination life caused by phosphates, surfactants and fragrances.

4. Invest in Garment Bags for Delicate Fabrics Some school uniforms or kids' clothing may have delicate trims, buttons, or embroidery that can become damaged in the wash. A garment bag is a simple solution. By placing these items in a mesh bag before washing, you protect them from friction with other clothing, reducing the risk of wear and tear.

• Tip: Garment bags are also a great way to prevent those annoying lint buildups, particularly with items like tights, socks, and delicate knits.

5. Avoid Over-Washing Clothes It’s tempting to throw uniforms and kids’ clothes in the laundry every day, especially when they’re constantly coming home dirty. However, over-washing can break down fabric fibres, causing them to wear out more quickly. If the item isn’t heavily soiled, try spot cleaning or airing it out instead of washing it after every use.

• Tip: If an item can be worn more than once before washing, hang it up or let it air dry to extend its wear between washes. This helps maintain the fabric’s integrity.

6. Check for Loose Buttons, Tears, and Wear-and-Tear Children tend to be rough on their clothes. Before sending them off to school each day, take a quick look at their uniforms for any small issues, like loose buttons or small tears. Fixing these issues early prevents them from turning into bigger problems later on.

• Tip: Keep a small sewing kit on hand with basic tools like needles, thread, and buttons. Quick repairs can extend the life of school uniforms and other clothing items significantly.

7. Rotate Uniforms When it comes to school uniforms, it’s a good idea to have more than one set. Rotating between two or more sets not only ensures that uniforms stay fresh but also reduces wear on a single outfit. Having a backup set means you can avoid washing uniforms every day and help extend the lifespan of each piece.

• Tip: Consider buying two or more of the same uniform items (shirts, skirts, pants, etc.), especially if you’re in a hot or humid climate where sweating can affect fabric more quickly.

8. Preserve the Colour with Vinegar If you notice your child’s school uniforms or clothes starting to fade or look dull, vinegar can be a life-saver. Adding a cup of white vinegar to the wash helps preserve the colour of fabric and even brightens whites. It’s a natural alternative to harsh chemical fabric brighteners and is completely safe for most fabrics.

• Tip: Use vinegar in the rinse cycle (or in the washing machine's fabric softener dispenser) to gently maintain colour without the use of harmful chemicals.

9. Proper Storage is Key Proper storage can make a big difference in maintaining the quality of school uniforms and everyday clothes. Hanging shirts, dresses, and blouses on hangers helps avoid wrinkles and preserves their shape. For items like pants, skirts, and shorts, fold them neatly to avoid unnecessary creasing.

• Tip: Store uniforms in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, which can cause fading. Consider using garment bags or plastic bins for off-season storage.

10. Use a Clothes Shaver for Pills and Fuzz Over time, some kids' clothing (especially jumpers or polyester blends) can develop fabric pills (those little fuzzy balls that make clothes look worn). Using a fabric shaver can quickly remove pills and make clothes look new again. Just be gentle and use the shaver on areas that are truly pilled to avoid damaging the fabric.

• Tip: Be cautious with delicate materials. Always test the shaver on an inconspicuous spot first.

By incorporating these simple tips into your laundry and clothing-care routine, you can help extend the life of your children's school uniforms and other clothes, saving you time and money in the long run. Whether it's treating stains immediately, using the right detergents, or storing clothes properly, these small steps go a long way toward keeping clothes looking great and in excellent condition all year long.

With these tips, you can rest easy knowing that your kids' clothing will stay in tip-top shape, and you won't have to constantly replace worn-out uniforms or garments. Happy washing!

Back-to-School Uniform Checklist: Tips for a Smooth Start

1. Get all your uniform items together and remember to check backpacks, sport bags, the car and anywhere else uniforms tend to end up in your household.
2. Give everything a wash and dry in the sun if possible to freshen it up.
3. Get the kids to try everything on to check the fit. It's amazing how much they can grown over the holidays.
4. Check for wear and tear - lost buttons, loose threads, tears, hems falling down.
5. Make any repairs or alterations if you're handy or visit a good tailorto have them done.
6. Remember that if an item like a dress or trousers still fit but are now too short, most uniforms come with very generous hems that can be taken down to extend the duration they can be worn.
7. Create an inventory of what you need to replace and see what you can find second hand before investing in new. See if other parents have items they no longer need, check the school uniform shop for second hand donations or look on second hand sites.
8. Check if shoes need replacing due to size or wear and tear. If not give them a good polish.
9. Don't forget about sports shoes which could usually benefit from a run through the washing machine to freshen up.
10. List any items that you no longer need on second-hand sites or donate to friends or back to the school so that someone else can benefit from them.
11. Clearly label EVERYTHING, even shoes. There are great options like stamps and iron on labels available, but a permanent marker works just as well.
12. Iron and hang everything up ready for the first day back to school.
13. You're done - until someone inevitably loses something!