I am an expert in washing clothes, my tips ensure that children’s uniforms remain wrinkle-free throughout the school year
AS children head back to school, parents around the world are bracing themselves for the endless cycle of washing, drying and ironing school uniforms.
But according to one expert, your days of struggling with wrinkles and spots may soon be over.
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Mike Nemeroff, laundry expert and CEO of RushOrderTeeshas shared his ultimate tricks for keeping school clothes fresh and wrinkle-free, without having to spend hours at the ironing board and burning your fingers to iron the perfect pleat.
Mike Nemeroff says: “Let’s face it, you probably want your kids’ uniforms to look their best for the mandatory first-day-of-school photos, but no one enjoys messing around with an ironing board on a Sunday night.
“With a few clever tricks, you can keep your uniforms looking good all week long.”
Here are Mike’s top tips for keeping your uniforms wrinkle-free and looking freshly ironed:
The ice cube miracle
Remember that ice cube tray in your freezer? It’s time to put it to work. Toss a few ice cubes into your dryer with your wrinkled clothes for a 15-minute high-heat dry.
The steam created will iron out those wrinkles like magic, but don’t overload the dryer, that’s crucial. It’s like having your own personal steam press in your laundry room.
Vinegar: Not Just for Chips
That bottle of white vinegar in your cupboard is going to be your new best friend. Add ½ – 1 cup of white vinegar to your rinse cycle.
It softens clothes and helps prevent wrinkles. Plus, it’s a natural fabric softener that won’t irritate sensitive skin. Win-win!
The Hanger Hack
Forget folding – it’s all about strategic hanging. Invest in some good hangers and hang clothes straight from the wash.
Shake each item well and smooth it out before hanging. Gravity will do the rest! This method works wonders for polo shirts, dresses, and even pants.
Steam Queen
No time for a full wash? No problem! A handheld steamer is a game-changer,
A quick steam cleaner and the creases will disappear faster than your children’s pocket money.
A budget-friendly option is to hang wrinkled clothes in the bathroom during a hot shower and let the steam do its work.
Roll, don’t fold
When it comes to storage, rolling is the new folding. Rolling clothes instead of folding them not only saves space, but also prevents those annoying crease lines.
It’s especially great for gym gear and gym clothes, plus it makes it easier for kids to find what they need without messing up the whole drawer.
How can I save money on school uniforms?
IF you are struggling to afford the cost of school uniforms or PE kit, you may be able to apply for a grant from your local council. However, the criteria for this will vary from council to council.
This is usually in the form of a one-off payment that is deposited directly into your bank account. Some councils will refund payments made to approved retailers.
You can ask your municipality what assistance is available and when you should submit an application.
If you cannot get targeted help from your municipality, there are other options to get a cheap uniform.
Contact your school to ask if they can provide you with clothing.
Some charities also offer help to families in need. Charity Turn2Us has a free grant search tool on its website that you can use to find out what help is available to you.
Thrift stores can also be a good place to find cheap school uniforms.
The Damp Towel Trick
Here’s a handy trick for stubborn wrinkles: Lay the wrinkled garment flat, place a damp towel on top and press it with your hands.
The moisture from the towel combined with your body heat will smooth out those wrinkles in no time. It’s just like ironing, but without the iron.
Fabric Softener Spray
Make your own wrinkle remover with this simple recipe: mix one part fabric softener with three parts water in a spray bottle.
Lightly spray the wrinkled areas, then gently pull and smooth the fabric. Hang to dry and voilà! Wrinkle-free in minutes.
The dryer ball revolution
Dryer balls are a laundry savior. They help separate clothes in the dryer, allowing warm air to circulate more effectively and reducing wrinkles.
In addition, they can reduce drying time by up to 25%, saving you both time and energy costs.
The Night Press
For really stubborn items, try this nighttime trick. Lightly dampen the wrinkled area, roll the garment up tightly, and place it in a plastic bag.
Let it sit overnight and shake it out the next morning for a fresh, wrinkle-free result.
Prevention is the key
Finally, Mike Nemeroff emphasizes the importance of prevention.
Don’t overload your washer or dryer. Giving clothes room to move reduces wrinkles from the start.
He also advises removing clothes from the dryer as soon as possible and shaking them out thoroughly before hanging or folding them.
