Garment Care
We have sourced the most suitable yarns and fabrics possible to enable you to have a garment that will last a long time and give great value for money. We have spent a lot of time and effort ensuring that the garment reaches you in the best condition.
From the point of purchase, responsibility for maintaining quality is passed on to you. This advice guide is provided to help you get the best wear from your garment.
Washing
Always follow the manufacturer's garment care guidelines as labelled before washing. It is advisable to wash garments inside out. Be careful not to overload your washing machine.
Ironing
Make sure your iron is set to the correct temperature as given on the garment care label. Many school uniform garments are 'easy care' and do not need ironing. Printed garments should not be ironed over the printed area. Avoid ironing collars, cuffs and welts, as this can compromise the strength of the inner elasticity.
Tumble Drying
Always follow the manufacturer's garment care guidelines as many garments are best left to dry naturally. Never tumble dry a pleated garment – always hang up on a suitable hanger to dry. Do not tumble dry sweatshirts, sweat-cardigans or knitted garments.
Fabric Conditioner
Do not use fabric conditioner as many garments are specially coated for easy care and fabric conditioner interferes with this process. Fabric conditioner is known to break down the fibres in clothing and is one of the causes of “bobbling”.
Iron-on Labels
These do not adhere on stretchy fabrics. Only affix to garments you can iron and remember to put a layer e.g. a handkerchief, between the clothing and the iron to avoid scorch marks.
“Fluff” & “Shedding”
It is normal for sweatshirts/sweat-cardigans to shed fluff. To reduce the amount of fluff shedding we recommend that you wash the garments inside out (separately to any other washing and following the garment washing instructions) before wearing. The amount of “fluff” will gradually diminish after several washes. The use of a clothes brush will help remove any fluff that may have transferred onto other garments such as shirts and polos.
Pilling & Bobbling
Pilling - it’s not a manufacturing fault! Any knitted fabric is likely to pill. We offer guidance to reduce the chance of pilling, but it may help to understand some of the causes:
- External friction: movement against another fabric, or object (e.g., a school bag, rough chair or wall).
- Washing the garment at an incorrect temperature or with other garments.
- Overloading your washing machine.
- Using fabric conditioner - it breaks down the fibres in clothing.
- Tumble drying the garment at too high a temperature.
Some garments appear to have a “nap” on the surface – best described as "fluffed up". This is caused by loose fibres from the yarn coming to the surface of the garment. After a period of wear and washing, the hairs disappear. Special care when washing and drying at this early stage in the garment life is important. Carefully brushing, cutting or picking off the loose fibres can remove these bobbles.
Shrinkage
The two biggest factors contributing to shrinkage are too much heat and too much agitation. The solution is simple: do not wash at too high a temperature and take care when selecting the washing cycle on your machine. Always follow the care instructions provided with the garment.
