Did you know that every garment manufacturer is legally obligated to attach a care label to their products sold in Australia? Yes, that little tag you often find yourself ignoring is there by Australian law, not by fashion whim! “Why should I care?”, you might say, hastily tossing that brand-new shirt into the washing machine. Well, here’s a little secret – care labels are your garments’ best friends, their trusted confidants, whispering the secrets of a longer life and better performance. Ignoring them is like rejecting a treasure map.
Much of this label-neglect can be attributed to our lack of knowledge about the distinct personalities of our fabrics and fibres. In the world of fabrics, cotton, polyester, wool, nylon and so on, all have unique traits and behaviours that require their own specific care. Take cotton for example, it loves a good soak in hot water. Polyester, on the other hand, may not wrinkle, but show it some heat and it’ll shrink faster than a vampire at sunrise. And nylon, the tough guy of the lot, may be strong, but it also wilts under heat.
This is where our hero, the care label, swoops in to save the day. By simply following the care label’s guidelines for washing, drying and ironing, your uniforms can look their best, perform their best, and resist the tugs of time. So without further ado, here are our garment care Do’s and Don’ts:
Don't:
Treat Your Clothes to a Sauna (aka No Tumble Drying)
Don't:
Treat Your Clothes to a Sauna (aka No Tumble Drying)
do:
Keep it Cool (Use Cold Water)
Do:
Keep it Cool (Use Cold Water)
do:
Be Gentle (Use Mild Liquid Detergent)
do:
Be Gentle (Use Mild Liquid Detergent)
Don't:
Say 'Yes' to Bleach
Don't:
Opt for Long Soaks
Soaking clothes for extended periods is like leaving them out in a rainstorm – it can lead to colour fading and shape alterations. It’s best to limit your clothes’ soaking time like you limit a child’s screen time – as little as possible.
Do:
Dry in Shade, Immediately
Do:
Keep it Cool when Ironing (And Reverse!)
Don't:
Reach for the Bleach
Don't:
Opt for Long Soaks
Soaking clothes for extended periods is like leaving them out in a rainstorm – it can lead to colour fading and shape alterations. It’s best to limit your clothes’ soaking time like you limit a child’s screen time – as little as possible.