Practical guide: looking a er your work clothes to make them last longer

Professional clothing is an essential investment for any company wishing to offer a polished image and guarantee the comfort of its employees. Good maintenance helps to extend their life, keep them clean and efficient, and preserve your brand's visual identity.

In this post we share good washing practices, drying and crease-removal techniques, and tips for preserving professional fabrics. 

Why look a er your work clothes?

1.       A stronger brand image 

•           A well-groomed appearance reflects the company's professionalism and seriousness,
•           Clean, well-maintained outfits inspire confidence in customers and partners.

2.     More durable clothing

•           Proper care preserves the colours, cut and strength of the fabrics,
•           Less renewal means lower costs for the company.

3.     A question of health and safety

•           Effective cleaning eliminates bacteria, allergens and residues that can build up,
•           Some trades require specific standards to guarantee cleanliness and worker protection.

ü  Pharmaceutical industry and laboratories (e.gwomen's white coats): to prevent product contamination and protect workers from chemical or biological substances,

ü  Medical and hospital sector (e.gwomen's tunic): to maintain a sterile environment and protect against infection,

ü  Fire and rescue professions (firefighters, first aiders): to protect against heat, flames and chemicals,

ü  Construction and public works (e.g. men's work trousers): to protect against falls, impacts, dust, etc.

ü  Industry (metallurgy, chemicals, etc.)protect against chemicals, heat and mechanical hazards,

ü  Food industry (e.gkitchen jacket): for maximum hygiene to prevent food contamination...

Washing work clothes: good practice

1.       Reading and respecting labels

•           First and foremost, consult the care label on each garment (and the instructions for use where available),
•           Observe the washing (and ironing) temperatures and specific precautions for technical fabrics.

2.     Sort clothes before washing 

•           Separate colours: avoid mixing colours to prevent colour transfer,
•           Sort by soiling level: heavily soiled garments require special treatment,
•           Take materials into account: cotton, synthetics and technical fabrics have different requirements.

3.     Use appropriate detergents

•           Follow the recommendations of professionals (suppliers of detergent products), otherwise use a mild detergent (to avoid damaging the fibres) & avoid so eners on technical fabrics (e.g. waterproof, breathable garments),
•           Opt for an antibacterial detergent if necessary.

4.     Temperature and wash programme 

Most of the items offered by ALM are designed to be cleaned at 60°C.

Drying and ironing: preserving fabric quality

1.       Drying: natural or machine?

•           Air dry whenever possible to preserve fibres and limit wear,
•           Use the tumble dryer with care : use a low temperature to avoid shrinkage,
•           Avoid exposure to direct sunlight to avoid altering the colours.

2.     Ironing: the right way 

•           Adjust the temperature of the iron according to the fabric.
•           Use a protective cloth for delicate fabrics. 
•           For technical garments, opt for steam ironing (or a mangle for flat linen) rather than direct ironing.

Maintaining technical and specific clothing 

1.       Waterproof and breathable clothing

•           Wash with a special residue-free detergent,
•           Avoid fabric so ener, which can clog breathable membranes,
•           Reactivate the waterproofing y tumbling dry the garment for a few minutes at a low temperature.

2.     Medical gowns and uniforms

•           High-temperature washing (60°C) to eliminate bacteria and viruses, 
•           Can be disinfected using suitable products without damaging the fabric.

3.     High-visibility clothing and clothing with reflective strips 

•           Wash at low temperature to avoid damaging the reflective stripes. Note that for industrial maintenance, a predominantly white garment will not be washed under the same conditions with or without retro stripes!),
•           Avoid ironing directly on reflective areas.

Tips for extending the life of professional clothing 

1.       Adopting everyday gestures

•           Remove stains quickly before they set in, 
•           Dry clothes immediately a er washing to avoid unpleasant odours (and the risk of mould),
•           Store items correctly to avoid creases and premature wear.

2.     Carry out regular checks 

•           Check the condition of the seams and fastenings,
•           Replace damaged buttons, zips or Velcro fasteners instead of reforming the garment, 
•           Repair any tears or holes to prevent them from getting any bigger.

Please note that some standardised items have a very regulated lifespan. High-visibility PPE, for example, is no longer compliant a er a certain number of washes (50 in the majority of items offered by ALM), even if it appears visually correct. Drying at high temperatures or ironing can reduce the durability of certain accessories (HV strips in particular).

Thanks to these care tips, your work clothes will last longer, guaranteeing an impeccable image and saving money on outfit replacements.

Place your order today on our e-commerce site and equip your staff with durable, easy-care workwear!