Garment Care

Schoolwear has many social advantages and has become an important part of a growing child’s wardrobe. Our garments are made and expected to withstand rigorous treatment. We are using the best fabrics and yarns that are available for a competitive price and we are always striving to give customers value for money. However, the fabrics and yarns that are used, have to be cared for correctly so that our garments continue to give outstanding value for money.
Most schoolwear is worn eight hours a day and approximately forty two weeks of the year. The garments are occasionally not used just for wearing but as goal posts, in games of tug of war and general playground and leisure time activities.
To help maintain the appearance and longevity of your SkoolGear garment we offer the following advice:-

Knitwear
Always wash the garment inside out.
Continue to wash the garment regularly inside out to reduce any "pills" or "bobbles" that may form, as loose fibres come to the surface. If pilling does occur, remove by hand or purchase a machine for this purpose.
Always wash the garments separately or with similar coloured garments.
Always use a cool wash (40° C) using a mild detergent at reduced machine action and dry flat away from direct heat.
The use of fabric cleaner is not recommended.
Do not tumble dry.
Do not iron.

Sweatshirts
The fabric used has been knitted and backed with brushed cotton to give a soft feel for the wearer. To help maintain the appearance of the sweatshirt we offer the following advice:-
Before wearing turn the garment inside out and either wash or brush the inside of the fabric to remove any loose fibres that may remain from the softening process.
Continue to wash the garment regularly inside out to reduce any "pills" or "bobbles" that may form, as loose fibres come to the surface. If pilling does occur, remove by hand or purchase a machine for this purpose.
Always wash the garments separately or with similar coloured garments.
Always use a cool wash (40° C) using a mild detergent at reduced machine action and dry flat away from direct heat.
The use of fabric cleaner is not recommended.
Do not tumble dry but if there is no alternative use only a cool setting as heat will distort the garment and can cause pilling.
If necessary use only a cool iron on the INSIDE of the garment.

Pilling
It is recognized fact that knitted goods are prone to pilling, some more than others. The main reason is friction or rubbing against another object. This does not necessarily mean that the garment is faulty. Pilling can be caused by any of the following:-
External friction i.e. movement against another fabric or object;
Heat generated by the individual when the garment is worn;
Washing the garment at the incorrect temperature and/or with other fabrics that will rub against the garment;
Tumble drying the garment at too high temperature which caused the heat to draw out the fibre.
Some garments appear to have ‘fluffed up’ after a short period of wear and this is due to surface fibre from the yarn coming to the surface. The yarn in these cases is slightly hairier than usual and the hairs disappear after a period of wear and washing. This is similar to a carpet, where when first laid, the loose fibres come to the surface and are vacuumed away. If the fibres do not wash away, a pilling machine can be used to remove the excess fibre to enhance the look of the garment. Once the fibre is removed the garment is unlikely to pill again.

We do not normally like to recommend that our products are tumble dried. This is because the heat can cause shrinkage and fading, and may shorten the lifespan of the garment, but most of our products can be tumble dried with care. There are, however, a few products that must not be tumble dried and these are clearly marked on the product items.


If you find that your question is not answered on this page, please email us info@skoolgear.co.uk