Back To School Uniform Check List
As the summer holidays draw to a close, it’s that time of year again when attention is drawn to planning the start of another school year. This invariably means preparing school uniforms to make sure the new school year begins smoothly.
Whether your child is returning for another school year or just starting school, we have provided a school uniform checklist below to ensure all is covered to make the new school year start well!
THE BASICS
SHIRTS, POLO SHIRTS, BLOUSES
Every school uniform consists of a few basic but essential items. Shirts, polo shirts, and blouses usually come in short sleeved or long sleeved options, worn depending on the season. It’s best to purchase at least 4-5 of these items to make sure you have enough of them for regular changes to keep them clean and fresh throughout the school year. School uniform items tend to be made from cotton, although they can also be made from polyester as well and, therefore, are relatively easy to care for.
When washing shirts, polo shirts, and blouses, it’s always advisable to check each care label as you go to ensure your wash items come out of your washing machine clean and fresh. As a matter of good laundry practice, we would always recommend washing all white items together to avoid colour transfer.
School uniform items tend to be prone to marks and staining as a result of playground rough and tumble, biro or ink staining from pens, crayons, paints, etc. from art room lessons and activities, a pre-staining treatment may be necessary to manage these mishaps to keep uniforms in pristine condition and look great!
Shirts, polo shirts, and blouses, if made from cotton, will require ironing. If made from non-iron materials, then this step may be missed out, and this will save you time, making life easier.
TROUSERS, SHORTS, SKIRTS/ DRESSES
Trousers, shorts, skirts, or dresses are another school uniform basic. When purchasing these items, you’ll need at least 3-4 of them, depending on the school’s particular dress code and on your child’s preference. As well as shirts, polo shirts, and blouses, these uniform items will need to be washed and ironed frequently to keep them looking their best. School trousers, shirts, skirts, or dresses tend to be made from ‘Teflon’ material that keeps its shape, which makes each garment easier to look after and maintain and easier to iron.
JUMPERS, SWEATERS, CARDIGANS
Jumpers, sweaters, and/or cardigans are school uniform basics that are also essential during the colder months. Depending on your child’s preference, you’ll be looking at purchasing at least 3-4 of these items per school year. When washing and ironing uniform items, be sure to follow the care label instructions to ensure they are kept in good condition. For brightly coloured sweatshirts and cardigans and/ or other types of knitwear, the first wash is very important. Wash on a cold temperature cycle using a non-biological detergent as this is less harsh on clothing fibres. These garments will need to be ironed before wearing on a temperature setting that is appropriate for the material they are made from. Always check care labels.
BLAZERS
Blazers are an essential staple of any school uniform, particularly in secondary schools. A single purchase of one of these items is all that will be required to get your child through the school year! A school blazer can typically be washed in a regular washing machine at home, as they tend to be made from polyester or other washable materials like cotton. We would recommend you always check the care label for any specific instructions. Moreover, we would strongly advise the following before washing a school blazer:
i) Empty all pockets before washing
ii) Always wash with other dark items on a cool temperature setting
iii) Use fabric conditioner sparingly as this can ‘stress’ the fabric
iv) Always air dry blazer by using a hanger as this will help the item to keep its shape and integrity.
v) Using a hand steamer can bring about good results, as this can remove creases and wrinkles. This method can also manage odours effectively.
vi) If you choose to iron a blazer, you will need to approach this with caution. This should be carried out by placing a damp cloth between the item and the iron to prevent any possible damage and scorching.
LAUNDRY TIPS TO KEEP SCHOOL UNIFORMS FRESH WITHOUT WASHING
With a cost of living crisis and huge energy bills, most of us have had to factor this into our budgets. Having to wash school uniforms frequently, if not daily, can also add to additional costs. But with a little bit of know how, this problem can be managed by utilising cheap and easy ways to refresh school uniforms without using your washing machine all the time, which can help to cut down on household costs too! Below, we show you how to refresh school uniforms:
SPOT CLEANING
When your child comes home from school, check the condition of their uniform. Typical marks and stains take the form of: ink/biro spills and marks; grass stains, food stains, etc. But instead of throwing the entire uniform into the laundry basket, it’s going to be more cost-effective to spot treat the problem areas. You’ll also find that the majority of many of the spills and stains are easy to remove. To remove ink spills and marks, for example, try using hairspray. Spray a small amount onto the stain, allow it to sit a minute or two, and then rinse off the garment and dry as usual. For grass stains, a simple solution of white vinegar and a cup of your favourite detergent with some cool water will work wonders.
TO TACKLE TOUGHER STAINS
Some stains or marks need extra attention. Baking soda is effective on tougher stains. To do this, you’ll need to mix a solution of baking soda with a small amount of cool water into a firm paste. Using either your fingers or a small round end brush, proceed to rub the paste into the stained areas. Allow the paste to rest on the garment(s) for around 30-40 minutes before rinsing well with water, then dry as usual.
DEALING WITH ODOURS
When your child’s school uniform start to smell less than fresh but is not yet ready for a full wash, try filling a sock full of baking soda and hang near the garments you need to freshen up. The baking soda will help to absorb odours and help to eliminate unwanted smells from the items overnight for a natural refresh.
FRESHEN UP SCHOOL UNIFORMS
Some school uniform items like sweatshirts, fleeces, and blazers require less frequent washing. In this case, the solution to this is doing something cheap and cheerful to bring the jaded garments back to life. A clothes freshener like ‘ Frebreeze’ or a homemade spray using a few drops of your favourite essential oil may be just the perfect way to revive a school uniform. Should you choose the essential oil option then you’ll be delighted to know that not only do the essential oils leave garments wonderfully fresh and smelling fantastic, but they also serve as a natural anti-bacterial agent that can neutralise the growth of bacteria that can cause bad smells, leaving school uniform items smelling fresher, and for longer.
STEAM SCHOOL UNIFORMS BACK TO FRESHNESS
To bring the freshness back into your child’s school uniform, take your items into the shower area with you whilst showering. This simple steam method allows the fibers to soften creases and wrinkles, which allows them to relax without having to iron them.
We hope you find this BLOG article useful, particularly at this time of year, with the new school year just around the corner!
Why not let us take care of your laundry, ironing, and cleaning needs? Simply contact us to make a booking, and our dedicated delivery service will collect and return your laundry and/or ironing orders in a quick turnaround in Chester-le-Street and surrounding areas!
