School Style supply a wide range of schoolwear and with proper care each garment will last and become a “hand-me-down”. In all cases it is important to observe the manufacturer’s care and laundry guidelines as detailed on the care label.
Items supplied embroidered with a school/ college badge have been specified by that organisation. Each will come with its own care requirements which can vary from product to product and it is important that customers observe those guidelines as we cannot be accountable for damage to garments purchased which have not been treated as the manufacturer advises.
These garments all come from the leading schoolwear suppliers in the UK with dedicated QC departments and are sold each year in the hundreds of 1000s with few problems. If you experience a problem please check that you are following the manufacturer’s guidelines and any appliances used are functioning correctly.
Pilling or Bobbling
Laundered correctly no products will suffer bobbling. Bobbling is caused by fractured fabric fibres and the cause of that will be one or more of a number things:
- Excess Heat
- Abrasion
- Chemical damage
The following suggestions will ensure that your garment always looks at it’s best :
- Never wash/ tumble at a temperature above the manufacturer’s label guide.
- Never wash/ tumble with other garments that are likely to be abrasive.
- Washing and drying garments inside-out will always help protect the visible outside.
- Be careful with chemicals; only use the recomended doses of detergent and conditioner and avoid harsh chemicals as per the care labels.
- Ensure that appliance thermostats are working as they should.
Localised pilling is damage most commonly caused by abrasion from things like backpacks or desks or even from being dried on top of excessively hot radiators.
Loose Fibres
Sweatshirt fabric is brushed on the inside to create the soft and warm inner-side which we have come to expect. This process invariably leaves some loose fibres; the degree of this varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and from batch to batch. These loose fibres will come off; if wearing a white polo shirt underneath that can be very obvious as they may stick to it. Washing a garment inside (particularly on the first wash) out will remove any loose fibres and some manufacturers specifically recommend this on their care labels.
Ironing
Many garments contain fabrics that include or are made of man-made fibres such as polyester or acrylic. These fibres in particular are susceptible to excess heat and ironing with an iron that is too hot may result in the surface of the fabric taking on a shiny appearance. Always abide by the ironing recommendation on the care label including refraining from ironing altogether if that is required.
Note : some irons can initially go above the dial temperature when first turned on and an iron with a faulty thermostat is not uncommon and is highly likely to cause garment damage.
Colour Fastness
Coloured items from all manufacturers are dyed using the latest technology. Garments that are laundered in line with the manufacurers instructions will NOT noticeably lose colour in the wash. However cotton is a naturally occuring product that needs to be dyed after production and it is not difficult to cause it to start to fade over time. This can be seen at the end of every school year with some garments still looking brand new and some showing fading; 10 months they had all looked the same. Below are some tips to ensure that your new garments continue to look good throughout the year.
- Never use more than the recommended dose of detergent.
- Never use a wash or tumble dryer cycle/ temperature setting higher than that specified on the garment care label.
- Ensure that appliance thermostats are working correctly
UV light such as in bright sunlight can cause fading; avoid leaving garments in bright sunlight for long periods.
Printed Garments
Most printing techniques involve some method of applying a design to the surface of a garment. These are always going to be more vulnerable than the garment itself. Different print techniques and different consumable suppliers will state different numbers of expected wash/dry cycles before the print becomes unacceptable but whether it is 35 or 75 the print will eventually deteriorate. How well the garment is cared for will detemine how long print lasts. Ideally wash as a delicate and avoid tumble drying. Heat is used to cure the inks and to facilitate the chemical reaction that make them stick to the fabric; excess heat and/or chemicals will weaken that adhesion. Some tips to maximise the life of your printed garment are :
- Never iron the printed area.
- Only use the recommended doses of detergent and/or softener.
- Avoid any harsh chemicals altogether.
- Wash and dry garments inside-out.
- Avoid tumble drying or, if you must, do so inside out and on a cool setting.
General Care Tips
- ALWAYS stick to the manufacturer’s care instructions.
- To avoid mishaps always wash dark and light colours seperately.
- Ensure appliances are functioning correctly and thermostats are working as they should.
- Avoid storing coloured garments in bright sunlight.