A Which? laundry expert has offered practical advice for parents on managing school uniforms, aiming to reduce washing time and extend garment life. The tips come as children's school clothes frequently encounter grass stains, ink blots, and mud.
One key recommendation is to rotate uniforms, placing clean items at the bottom of the drawer. This practice helps ensure all items in a multipack are worn evenly, preventing some from wearing out faster than others, particularly around collars, cuffs, and underarms.
For stains, the expert advises immediate treatment for marks from felt-tip pens, Sharpies, and paint. Applying a small amount of liquid laundry detergent or washing-up liquid directly to the stain, allowing it to sit for 5-10 minutes, and then rinsing with cold water (for ink and protein-based stains) or warm/hot water (for oil/grease) is suggested before a normal wash. Drying items in direct sunlight can also help shift stubborn marks.
To minimise ironing, it is recommended to remove uniforms from the washing machine as soon as the cycle finishes and give them a good shake. Line drying or using hangers indoors, with top buttons fastened, can help maintain shape and reduce creases. Additionally, the expert advises against mixing white shirts with coloured items to prevent discolouration and suggests washing whites in full or half loads, ensuring the drum is not overloaded.
Finally, the expert notes that not all uniform items require washing after every wear. Jumpers, cardigans, and blazers can often be worn multiple times, and small stains can be spot-treated, which helps to prevent overwashing and extends the life of the garments.