If you wear a uniform for work, it’s natural to want to get the best out of your clothing for as long as possible. Buying high-quality items is a fantastic place to start, but it’s also essential to ensure you look after your clothing. If you have a wardrobe full of embroidered workwear that you’re keen to keep in pristine condition, here are some useful tips to ensure you look the part.
Washing your workwear
It doesn’t matter what kind of job you have, you want to be able to wash your uniform on a regular basis without worrying about the colour fading or bobbles appearing. A high-quality embroidered polo shirt, hoodie or jacket should wash well, but there are certain steps you can take to protect your workwear and ensure it looks perfect for as long as possible. These include:
- Before you put your clothing in the wash, undo any buttons, check the pockets and close zips. This will help to prevent damage caused by sharp items and maintain the shape of the piece. It will also eliminate the risk of ending up with clothes covered in bits of tissue and finding credit cards or bank notes snarled up in your machine.
- Opt for a low temperature: if you have embroidered clothing or items that are made from delicate materials, it’s always a good idea to choose a low temperature setting. A 30-degree wash is ideal for embroidered workwear. With this programme, you can enjoy the best of both worlds. Your clothes will be clean and fresh, and the embroidery will remain intact. Washing at a low temperature can also reduce the risk of clothing losing its shape, and it’s also better for the environment.
- Wash new embroidered clothing before you wear it. If you’ve recently bought an embroidered polo shirt for work, for example, put it through the wash before you wear it for the first time. This will help to remove any residual marks from the template of the embroidery.
- Pay attention to washing instructions: before you wash, iron or dry clean any item of clothing, it’s wise to check the label. In most cases, it’s not advisable to dry clean embroidered clothing due to the chemicals that are used during the process.
Drying an embroidered uniform
Once you’ve washed embroidered workwear, you’ll need to dry it. The best course of action is to air dry embroidered clothing by placing it on a flat surface. If this isn’t possible, you can use a clothes horse, a rack or an airer. Choose a dry, warm environment. Tumble drying is not recommended for embroidered pieces of clothing, as the drying process can damage the thread. In some cases, tumble drying can also shrink clothing.
Ironing tips
We all know how important it is to look smart and presentable for work. Ironing a shirt or a jacket will eliminate creases and create a flawless finish. Ironing can also help to reshape an item and ensure that it sits right on the body. When you’re ironing embroidered garments, follow the instructions on the label. In most cases, embroidered items should be ironed inside out using a relatively low temperature setting. Ironing directly onto the embroidered patch or logo can damage the fragile threads and it may impact the aesthetic and reduce longevity.
Folding and clothing storage
The best way to store embroidered clothing is to hang it in a wardrobe. If you don’t have sufficient space, and you need to use a chest of drawers instead, fold the item in a way that doesn’t involve bending the logo or crest. It’s always a good idea to store your clothes in a dry environment. If you have a room that is damp, for example, you may find that your workwear starts to smell musty.
Preserving your workwear
If you wear a uniform for work, and you want it to last as long as possible, here are some steps to start taking today:
- Change when you get home from work
At the end of a busy day, you may just want to crash onto the sofa and put your feet up, but take a few minutes to get changed before you get comfortable. It’s advisable to ensure you wear your uniform for work only. This will help to prolong its life expectancy, and it will also reduce the risk of getting dirt and dust on your sofas and carpets. If you can get into the habit of getting changed when you arrive home from work, you should find that your uniform lasts longer.
- Wash your workwear on a regular basis
If you wear a uniform day in, day out, you never know what could be lurking on the surface of your shirt, cap or jacket. It’s advisable to wash your clothing on a regular basis to remove traces of dirt and muck and to keep your workwear in pristine condition. If you leave items unwashed, there’s a risk of staining and dirt hardening, and this can be tough to remove.
- Always read the labels
Before you wash your clothes or turn the iron on, take a moment to read the label. Following the manufacturer’s instructions can help to preserve the piece and prevent fading, damage and shrinkage.
- Use gentle detergents
If you have embroidered clothing, it’s wise to shop for gentle detergents, which don’t contain harsh chemicals like peroxide bleach. This will ensure that the item retains its colour and fit. Mild detergents also tend to be kinder to the skin and are particularly beneficial for people with sensitive skin and allergies. When you’re shopping, it’s worth reading product descriptions and looking for terms and words like ‘dermatologically tested’ and ‘hypoallergenic.’
- Air your clothing
To keep your uniform fresh, clean and bright, give it some air. If you’ve been working all day, and you don’t plan to throw your fleece or hoodie in the wash, hang out your clothes for a period of time before you wear them again.
- Minimise risks
They say that prevention is better than cure. While it’s not always possible to avoid accidents, it’s a good idea to try and minimise risks. Avoid environments that carry a high risk of staining or damaging your workwear and try and steer clear of potential hazards. It’s not easy to stay clean, but being mindful of potential risks can help to keep your workwear in tip-top condition.
Whether you wear a branded polo shirt, a hoodie with a logo or an embroidered jacket for work, it’s crucial to look after your uniform carefully. If you follow these simple steps, you’ll not only look the part, but your workwear will also last longer. Embroidered clothing can be more fragile, so take care when you wash, iron and dry your work clothes. Wash your uniform on a regular basis at a low temperature, air dry each item and avoid tumble drying, and iron shirts, sweaters, vests and polos inside out to protect the patch or logo. To increase longevity, try and get into the routine of changing when you’ve finished work, use gentle detergents and always check the labels before you wash or iron your uniform. Some pieces are more delicate than others and washing at high temperatures, dry cleaning and ironing on a high setting can cause damage.
Embroidered workwear is an excellent investment for business owners and organisations looking to celebrate an identity, raise brand awareness and create positive first impressions. If you wear embroidered workwear, hopefully, this guide will ensure your uniform looks the business for years to come.
