Making a good impression is important, whether you’ve been with your company for a few days or many years. Your uniform at work is how you present yourself to those around you even as it keeps you protected from the elements. Taking care of your uniform through proper cleaning and maintenance techniques ensures that it stays in peak condition for years to come. OXXO Cleaners That Care will cover top tips for keeping your workwear in great shape, so you can project professionalism and count on your uniform to serve you for the long haul.
Understanding Your Uniform Fabric
While uniforms can be made of almost any fabric, a few specific fabrics are often utilized for workwear. These include cotton, polyester, and blends of these fabrics. Each one has unique care requirements. Polyester is shrink-resistant and maintains its shape well. It should be cleaned according to the instructions on the care label, using a mild detergent and washing with like colors. Always turn polyester uniforms inside out to clean to safeguard against pilling.
Cotton is a comfortable, breathable fabric that stands up well to long shifts. Cotton workwear should typically be washed in cold water using a mild detergent. However, if the care label on your clothing specifies something different, follow those instructions. Fabric blends can vary in terms of what kind of care they should receive. Always follow the recommended care instructions and reach out to a professional commercial uniform laundering service if you have any questions.
Daily Maintenance Tips
Follow these tips to care for your workwear daily:
1: Regular inspection. After each shift or wear, check your uniform for stains, tears, and any signs of rough use. If you notice any issues, address them immediately before stains have a chance to set or tears have a chance to get larger.
2: Proper Hanging and storage. It’s best practice to hang your uniforms to prevent wrinkles and help clothes maintain shape. While you can simply hang uniforms on a hanger, using a storage solution like a garment bag provides an extra level of protection, safeguarding your uniforms from dust and damage.
Cleaning and Washing
Most people clean their uniforms a few times a week. Here are some tips for cleaning and washing workwear:
3: Pre-treating stains. Pre-treatment is your best chance to ensure stains come out of your uniform. There are different ways to pre-treat stains, from creating a mixture of baking soda and water and gently pressing it into the stain to opting for a commercial stain removal product. Dish soap is also commonly used as a pre-treatment for stained clothes. Gently rub the dish soap into the stain and allow it to sit for up to 30 minutes before washing. Whatever option you choose, be sure to do a patch test on an inconspicuous area and read the product instructions carefully to ensure proper use.
4: Washing techniques. If you have different uniforms, wash them based on fabric type. Don’t try to wash dissimilar colors or fabrics together, as this can break down the integrity of your workwear or cause stains. Always use gentle detergents and washing cycles to preserve your uniforms and keep them in good shape.
5: Drying methods. There are different ways to dry your clothes, including machine drying and air drying. Both have their advantages and depending on the fabric type of your uniform, one could be better than the other. If you do opt for machine drying your workwear, pay attention to the care instructions on the uniform’s label to avoid shrinkage. If you decide to air-dry, consider using drying racks or hangers. This will keep your workwear wrinkle-free as it dries. While some people opt to dry their clothes outside on a clothesline, evaluate the weather forecast before doing this. The last thing you want is for a stray gust of wind to blow your clothes into the neighbor’s yard.
Ironing and Pressing
Not all uniforms require ironing or pressing, but those that do should receive special consideration. It’s easy to damage your clothes through incorrect ironing.
6: Proper ironing techniques. Ironing your workwear can give it a crisp, professional look. To properly iron your uniform, first, ensure the iron is clean and free from residue. Read your uniform’s care label and adjust the heat setting on the iron accordingly. Iron the uniform from the inside out and use steam as you go to eliminate wrinkles. Avoid lingering too long on any one spot, as this can cause burns or damage to the fabric. Work in sections, gently pressing the iron down as you go. Once the uniform is ironed, hang it immediately to prevent new wrinkles. For those who don’t feel comfortable using an iron, steamers are another excellent option. Fabric steamers keep your clothes wrinkle-free all while preserving the fabric’s integrity.
7: Using a pressing cloth. A pressing cloth is a piece of fabric that can be placed between the iron and the item of clothing you’re ironing. It can protect delicate fabrics from heat, avoiding scorch marks and changes in the fabric. Pressing clothes can be found in a variety of different fabrics and sizes. Most pressing cloths are made from cotton or a cotton blend, since it can withstand high heat. If you don’t feel comfortable using a pressing cloth or if you need assistance caring for a specific uniform or item of clothing, reach out to a professional cleaning service for clarification and assistance.
Special Care for Specific Uniforms
Some uniforms require special handling to maintain their integrity. Here are some tips for caring for delicate workwear:
8: Handling delicate uniforms. Always exercise care when cleaning delicate uniforms, such as any workwear made from silk, wool, or silk blends. These pieces often require hand-washing or the use of special detergents to maintain their appearance. Professional dry cleaning services are usually the best way to clean these uniforms. Dry cleaning companies, such as OXXO Cleaners That Care, use special detergents designed to protect and preserve delicate uniforms.
9: Maintaining work shoes and accessories. Your work shoes and accessories, such as belts or ties, might also require special care and attention to detail. Inspect work shoes regularly, looking for holes or evidence of extreme wear and tear. Consider cleaning them regularly, polishing away scuff marks, and replacing shoelaces occasionally to keep shoes looking and feeling great. Belts and ties can usually be hand-cleaned. Leather or synthetic-blend belts can typically be wiped clean, while most ties can either be hand-washed or taken to a professional dry cleaning company for attention. Read the care labels on these items and follow the instructions carefully.
Professional Cleaning Services
While you might prefer to clean and maintain your workwear on your own, there are situations when taking uniforms to a dry cleaning company is the best option. Here’s what to know about seeking professional help:
10: When to seek professional help. If you have multiple uniforms or have a job that requires you to wear a new uniform every day, it could be too overwhelming to try and clean them all on your own. If this sounds like you, consider scheduling dry cleaning services for your workwear. By enlisting the help of a reliable dry cleaning company, you can rest easy in the knowledge that your uniforms will get clean without having to dedicate hours of your life to the task.
If you have delicate or special fabric as part of your workwear, or if there are a lot of details in your workwear, such as many zippers, belts, and buckles, professional dry cleaning is the best option. These companies can work around detailed pieces and give delicate fabrics the care they need to stay in tip-top condition for the long run. If you don’t already have a dry cleaning company in mind, do some research online to find top-rated cleaning companies in your area. You can also ask family and friends for recommendations. Many of your relatives and acquaintances likely either use a dry cleaning service or know of an excellent one they can recommend. If you’re in search of an eco-friendly company with a deep commitment to social responsibility, OXXO Cleaners That Care can get you squared away, with convenient, responsible laundering services for all your home fabrics.
Keep Your Uniform in Peak Condition with OXXO
Maintaining work uniforms doesn’t have to be a challenge. With some care and careful attention to detail, you can keep your workwear looking (and feeling) great. Implement these tips for impeccable uniforms, day in and day out. If you need some help taking care of your workwear, or if you simply don’t have the time to spare cleaning it yourself, turn to the professionals at OXXO Cleaners That Care.We proudly provide eco-friendly dry cleaning services for all your clothes and home fabrics. Whether you have one uniform or more than a dozen, we can keep all your workwear in excellent condition, so you can focus on other tasks.
