Families across the country are preparing for the new school year in September. When it comes to washing school uniforms, a guide shared by AO offers advice on preventing pilling and protecting embroidery to keep uniforms looking neat.
AO's washing tips
AO shared the recommendations in a social media post a few years ago. The experts advised: "Top tips for washing school uniforms. Turn school jumpers inside out to prevent pilling and protect embroidery. Wash these on your machine's gentlest cycle."
They also recommended: "Always wash white separate to keep them bright and use a detergent specifically for white clothes. Be sure to empty out blazer pockets before washing. Wash at a cool temperature with other dark clothing. Air-dry blazers where possible to prevent shrinking. If in doubt, always check the label for washing instructions."
Social media advice
Additional tips can be found on social media, where cleaning hack groups often discuss school uniform care. One Facebook group post asked: "How do you all wash the school blazers? Do you have dry cleaned or wash yourself?"
A commenter replied: "Mine are from M&S and are machine washable. I wash every few weeks (unless it desperately needs a wash). I don't do anything special. It goes in a dark wash, but I make sure I hang it on a hanger straight from the machine. My daughter is in year 11 now. Never had any problems."
Another response said: "Once a week on a 40 wash and hang them straight on a wide-shouldered hanger to dry and keep shape." Someone else wrote: "I used to wash my sons in the machine but hang it up on a hanger while it's still wet and it won't crease."
A different comment said: "No way!! I’ve been Dry Cleaning. In the machine it’s going this week!!!!" Another user shared: "I put my daughters in every Friday after school on a 30 wash and hang up to air dry. It’s perfect every time."
Another social media user said: "Yeah I wash mine weekly on a 40 wash hang to dry been doing it for years and they are still in good condition to pass down when outgrown." A commenter agreed: "I used to wear a blazer for work and washed in machine and hung on a chair, never ironed."
