Workwear Care: Maximise Longevity & Protect your Work Clothes

We know that your workwear is copping a beating from day to day and we also understand that it's important to maximise the time you get out of each piece of clothing (especially in this economy!). That’s why, we’ve created a quick guide to ensure that you’re cleaning & storing these efficiently.

Washing Your Workwear

It’s inevitable that whatever trade or job you’re in, your clothes are going to get dirty. That’s why everything in workwear care starts with washing efficiently and in line with your garment’s requirements.

It sounds like common sense but always check the label, as each piece differs. 
For example, your work hoodie will need a different washing treatment compared to the various materials that work pants come in. 

The biggest tip is to always pre-treat tough, grimy stains before throwing them in the wash and for those extra filthy pieces, keep them separate. We know washing clothes isn’t fun, but if you’re doing it correctly, you’ll avoid any likelihood of a second wash or tarnishing your clothes.

We recommend washing clothes in cold or warm temperatures. Hot water is notorious for making colours fade and fabrics shrink whereas cold water is vastly more friendly to sensitive materials. This is particularly important if you’re washing high-visibility garments, as faded colours might not be safety compliant. Also with improvements in washing machine technology over the years, the difference between hot and cold washing is hardly noticeable.

Some Hard Yakka work shirts feature a clever built-in ‘fade shade label’, allowing you to identify if your Hi-Vis work shirt has become non-compliant. The label is discreet and made with silicone, so it’s colour remains, while your garment fades.

Drying Your Workwear

We know that you’re working long hours and time is of the essence, however, it’s best to avoid the dryer when you can. These cause damage to elastic elements and other materials in your work clothing and ultimately, these are integral to the safety and function of the garments.

If you’re thinking about throwing the work boots in the dryer, don’t! The rubber and plastic components are likely to get damaged. We recommend air drying your boots or any footwear after washing them.
If you’re in a colder environment like a Victorian or Tasmanian winter and need to speed this process up, a dehumidifier can reduce drying times. These suck moisture out of the air and your clothes, however, they do so without damaging your garments.

The Australian sun is undeniably efficient for drying clothes, however, don’t keep your clothes on the line for hours and hours. Just like us, clothes cop a beating if they’re in the sun for too long!

Storing Your Workwear

The final piece of the puzzle, efficient storing of your clothing to compliment the washing and drying that you’ve just completed. Firstly, make sure that your clothes are 100% completely dry. 
If you’re putting away damp clothing, you can create mildew which can cause problems for both your clothes and your health overall.

Where possible, fold or hang each piece of clothing to maintain its integrity especially with more delicate pieces such as hybrid material blends. Also, it’s best to store your work clothes in a dry place away from direct sunlight.

By following these simple care tips, you can extend the life of your workwear, ensuring it continues to provide the protection and comfort you need!

.