Don’t let anything stain your
Repair or Recycle?
Sure, there are ways to lengthen the useful life of your uniform. But nothing lasts forever. Learn how to tell when your trusty garments have reached the end of the road.
Stains may be a fact of life. But living with them doesn’t have to be. By following these proven tips and tricks for removing some of the more common offenders, you can keep your uniform – and your reputation – looking its best.
DIESEL FUEL Splashes happen. When they do, hang the soiled garment outside to avoid having the odors spread. If there’s a significant amount of fuel, hose the garment off, wring it out (wearing rubber gloves), and let it hang outside for at least 24 hours. Once the smell is gone, it’s safe to put it in the washing machine. Set the machine for the largest possible load and use the hottest water the garment will tolerate. Add 1/4 cup of ammonia and a little extra laundry detergent and wash as usual. Only after the smell or stain is completely gone is it safe to put the garment in the dryer.
REPAIR STAINED COLLAR
Try pretreating the collar with shampoo. Keep it from happening again by wearing it only once between washes. STAINS UNDER THE ARM Dissolve a few denture-cleansing tablets in a bowl of warm water or try OxiClean. MISSING BUTTONS Grab that needle and thread and channel your inner tailor. EXCHANGE OR RECYCLE FRAYED COLLAR Typically, it’s not worth the time or money to have a collar repaired. FRAYED CUFFS Replacing the cuffs can cost just as much as buying an entirely new shirt. Save yourself the time and trouble. FADED COLOR It’s tough to make a bold impression in a washed-out shirt. If your Averitt red has faded to a pinkish hue, it’s time to upgrade your wardrobe.
TIP: You could also use 2 cups of vinegar to help eliminate the odor.
OIL & GREASE There are a few approaches that work well for removing these stubborn stains. One solution is to coat the area with cornstarch, let it soak between 30 minutes and an hour, then launder with heavy-duty detergent. Another approach is to spray some WD-40 on the stain and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Then rub a little dish soap on the area and wash it as normal. BLOOD First off, make sure no one needs medical attention. Then, if the bloodstain is only 10 to 15 minutes old, rinse it under a lot of cold water while rubbing the fabric against itself. Then wash as normal. If it’s an older stain, drench it in cold water, then soak it in a bucket with water and an enzyme-based stain remover like OxiClean. COFFEE & SODA Don’t let your pick-me-up bring you down. Presoak the garment in a solution of liquid laundry detergent and cool water (about 2 tablespoons of detergent to 1 gallon of water) for at least 30 minutes. Then launder in warm or hot water. After soaking for another 10 minutes or so, wash as normal in cold water. FLIP THINGS AROUND Turning your garments inside out before washing not only helps prevent fading, but it also helps preserve embroidered and printed elements.
See page 42 to learn how to give your old Averitt shirts a new lease on life.
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