7 tips to make school uniforms last longer
School uniforms can take quite a beating. Daily wear, frequent washes and the occasional playground mishap all shorten their lifespan. For parents, replacing uniforms too often can be costly. The good news? With the right care, you can make school uniforms last longer, saving both money and stress.
Here are 7 tried-and-tested tips to keep uniforms looking fresh and lasting the whole school year.
1. Wash Less Frequently (But Smarter)
Over-washing fades colours and weakens fabric. Instead of washing after every single wear, try spot-cleaning small stains or airing uniforms overnight. When you do wash them, use a gentle cycle with cold water to preserve the fabric’s integrity.
2. Choose a Mild Detergent
Harsh chemicals strip fabric fibres and cause colours to fade faster. A mild detergent keeps uniforms cleaner while protecting fabric quality, especially for darker or branded items. Our Laundry Detergent Eggs are the perfect gentle detergent to pair with your child’s uniforms.
3. Turn Uniforms Inside Out
Turning clothes inside out before washing reduces friction on the outside, preventing pilling and fading. This is especially useful for embroidered logos or blazers.
4. Avoid the Tumble Dryer
Dryers may save time, but they also cause shrinkage and weaken fabric. Hang uniforms on a clothesline or drying rack instead. If a dryer is unavoidable, always use the lowest heat setting. You could even go a step further and add our Dryer Balls. They’re designed to reduce creasing, add a gentle fragrance and reduce drying times by up to 28%.
5. Iron with Care
Excess heat from ironing damages fibres and leaves shiny marks on darker fabrics. Use a medium heat setting, iron uniforms inside out, and place a thin cloth over delicate items.
6. Rotate Uniforms Regularly
Owning multiple sets of uniforms might feel like an extra cost but rotating them ensures each piece lasts longer. It reduces constant wear and gives each garment recovery time between washes.
7. Repair Early, Save Later
Small rips, missing buttons, or loose hems can turn into bigger problems if left unchecked. Keep a simple sewing kit at home and make quick repairs, these small fixes can extend the life of a uniform dramatically.
Extra tip
We know that daily life isn’t as simple as it seems. Stains can be a regular if not daily occurrence and it’s important to treat them straight away. Not sure how to effectively treat stains? Check out our blog ‘6 most common stains and how to effectively remove them’ to learn more.
School uniforms are a long-term investment, and with proper care, they can last well beyond a single school year. By following these 7 simple tips to 7 tips to make school uniforms last longer make school uniforms last longer, you’ll keep them looking neat, reduce waste and save money.