Tips for Caring for Your Work Uniform So It Doesn't Get Damaged Easily
Have you ever calculated how much money is spent just to replace office uniforms that are dull or torn every year? We encounter cases like this quite often in the field. Many purchasing teams complain that the material is poor quality, when the root of the problem is actually simple: improper washing habits by employees.
No matter how good the fabric is when it leaves the garment factory, if it is treated carelessly, its lifespan will clearly be short.
Different Materials, Different Care
Different types of fabric require different handling. Generalizing the washing method for all clothes is a quite fatal mistake.
Cotton or drill fabric, for example. This type is breathable and very comfortable for daily wear, but the fibers shrink easily if deliberately washed with hot water. It's a different story when we handle flame-resistant (Flame Resistant) wearpacks. This type of clothing must strictly avoid fabric softeners. Softener liquid can coat the special fibers and instantly neutralize their fire-protective features. The same goes for high-vis OHS clothing with reflective tape; keep it away from chlorine bleach if you don't want the reflective strips to peel off one by one.
Read also: A Guide to Choosing Quality FR Apparel for PLN Employees
Commonly Overlooked Washing Habits
Actually, caring for garments is not complicated. The key lies solely in small details before clothes go into the washing machine.
First, always separate heavily soiled clothes. Don't ever mix field clothes stained with oil or mud with HR shirts that are only worn in air-conditioned rooms. Before throwing them into the machine, get into the habit of turning the clothes inside out to protect the main fabric texture and logo colors from friction. Lastly, there is no need to blindly use warm water. Plain water is more than enough to remove sweat without causing the fabric to stretch prematurely.
Drying and Storing
Blazing sunlight does make laundry dry quickly, but excessive heat is the main enemy of textile color pigments. To make colors last longer, simply air-dry the clothes in a shaded area with good air circulation. If you must use a tumble dryer, just set it to the lowest temperature.
When ironing, adjust the temperature to the fabric's characteristics. Cotton can withstand medium heat, but synthetic materials like polyester require a low temperature so they don't get shiny or stick. For shirts or suits, hang them using wide-shouldered hangers so the shoulder shape doesn't sag quickly.
Requesting Garment Fabric Samples
Proper care is indeed the main key, but choosing thick and strong raw materials from the start remains the most decisive factor.
If your company is planning to create office uniforms, OHS clothing, or has large-scale garment needs, the Garment Indonesia team is ready to help you find the right materials. You can consult directly or request free fabric samples today.