The time is coming when summer uniforms come out, if they haven’t already, and the winter ones need putting away. Summer? Whilst meteorological summer starts June 1 and ends 31 August, school terms have already started and sometimes September delivers the best weather of the year. The great British Summer!

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Uniform Storage Tips

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If your uniform is a school one, you may already be in different clothes. If it’s a work one, they may be hanging on for June, if not looking at an May start of season.

Whenever it falls to swap uniforms, here’s our easyStorage overview on keeping those winter uniforms in good form ready for the change back when Autumn sets in – whenever that may prove to be.

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Trousers

1.       Check for damage, like wear at the knees or split seams, missing buttons or loose catches. For some damage you’ll want to fix before washing, for others you’ll want to wash and iron and then fix.

2.       Do they fit? If not, is there any realistic possibility that they will before next season? If not, and they are in good condition, could you pass them on?

3.       Wash and thoroughly dry the trousers before storing (most uniforms don’t need dry cleaning, but follow instructions). Ironing helps save storage space and increases the chance that you’ll be able to get them out and wear them immediately next season.

4.       Be honest with yourself: if they are worn and damaged, should they be replaced rather than renewed.

5.       If you decide to get rid of them, charity shops often get money by weight for textiles. Check with your local charity shop.

6.       To prevent creasing, use tissue paper in folds if you are flat packing, or if you are lucky enough to have spare hanging space, a piece of card or a scarf over the long part of a metal hanger can prevent a hanger fold (if you don’t have a specialist hanger, that is.)

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Skirts

1.       Examine the skirt. Is it in good enough condition to keep?  If you decide to get rid of it, charity shops often get money by weight for textiles. Check with your local charity shop.

2.       As for trousers (above) check for rips and wear, loose or missing buttons, and fix.

3.       Does the skirt still fit? If it’s too small or too big, it may be time to pass it on if it’s in good condition.

4.       Make sure that the skirt is thoroughly clean and dry before storing.

5.       To prevent creasing, use tissue paper in folds if you are flat packing.

6.       If the skirt is pleated, it is probably better to have the kilt properly hung than stored flat to keep the pleating in shape. However, if you need to fold flat, use tissue paper in folds to prevent creasing. If you can find (or have) small pegs, these can be used to keep sharp pleats in place. As the season is a short one, the pegs are unlikely to leave marks.

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Shirts and blouses

1.       Check the underarm area for discoloration or wear. If this area is worn, there is usually little that can be done to save the garment.

2.       If the shirt or blouse is coloured or printed, are the colours still fixed enough to be smart next season? If not, would it be better replaced?

7.       If the seams, cuffs or button edges are fraying, there may be little point saving a uniform shirt. If it’s an easy fix, great, but normally repairs will show and a uniform is supposed to show the company off at its best. Depending on company policy, if it’s for work, it may be time to discard. If it’s a school uniform, only you can decide! If you do decide to get rid of any shirt or blouse, charity shops often get money by weight for textiles. Check with your local charity shop.

3.       Check the shirt or blouse for rips or tears, and for missing buttons. With a blouse or shirt, mending is best done before washing/ironing. (It’s very unusual for a uniform shirt to need dry cleaning.)

4.       Assuming the shirt or blouse is good condition, wash, iron, fold and store! The creases just make it look pressed and new.

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Jumpers and cardigans

1.       There’s every chance that jumpers and cardigans will be useful for most of the year, so unless the summer uniform has a lightweight version, you may not want to put them into storage.

2.       However, this is the perfect time to check for wear and repairs – if you find any damage, fix them or throw them. If they are beyond repair, we’ll repeat again: charity shops often get money by weight for textiles. Check with your local charity shop.

3.       Make sure they are still the right size – if they are too small, pass them on.

4.       If you ARE storing it/them, clean and dry, and iron if needed (according to the manufacturer’s directions).

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Outerwear

1.       If, as with jumpers and cardigans, you’re storing rather than keeping coats or jackets out, now’s the time to clean in line with manufacturer’s instructions.

2.       Check linings, buttons, collars and cuffs for any signs of wear or things that need fixing, along with pocket linings. Repair as required. (And if beyond help, remember what we’ve already noted about charity shops!)

3.       Check for fit, including shoulders, chest, waist and sleeves. Uniforms that look too small or seem uncomfortable create a bad impression.

4.       Storing depends on material. For anorak/bomber jacket type outfits, folding the arms in and doubling the jacket over will probably be sufficient. 

If the jacket is blazer type and made of artificial fabrics like polyester, it can be folded, arms in, and any collar down. 

If it’s wool, it needs folding with tissue paper to prevent shiny lines forming.

These items will be out again in three months’ time or less, so you know you’ll need them soon. It’s therefore doubly important to make sure any boxes or cases used for storage are marked up to make them easy to find.

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If the uniform is a school uniform, many school PTAs have uniform exchanges from which they fund raise, and if it’s a work uniform, it’s worth checking company policy on replacements.

Have a great summer, and if you need extra storage over the summer period, call 0330 165 8876 to see what our team of storage specialists can arrange for you.