A Complete Maintenance Guide
Investing in high-quality custom workwear is essential for businesses, but keeping uniforms in great condition requires the right care. Whether you have embroidered or screen-printed garments, using proper washing techniques and storage methods will extend their lifespan while ensuring your brand looks professional.
In this workwear maintenance guide, we’ll cover the best ways to prevent logo fading on uniforms, protect fabric integrity, and choose detergents and drying techniques that keep apparel looking fresh.
Why Proper Workwear Maintenance Matters
Well-maintained workwear doesn’t just improve brand presentation, it also ensures durability and long-term comfort. Poor washing habits can cause:
- Fading and cracking on printed logos
- Shrinking or stretching of fabric
- Weakened embroidery threads
- Loss of protective coatings on high-visibility garments
By following recommended cleaning methods, your custom uniforms will stay in excellent condition for longer.
Proper Washing Techniques for Embroidered & Printed Garments
Different materials require different care. Here’s how to wash workwear correctly based on its printing or embroidery type:
🧼 Screen Printed & DTF Workwear
- Wash inside out to reduce friction on the printed design.
- Use cold water and a gentle cycle to avoid cracking or peeling.
- Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach or strong detergents.
- Never tumble dry at high temperatures—opt for air drying instead.
🧵 Embroidered Workwear
- Hand wash or use a mild cycle with a mesh laundry bag for added protection.
- Use liquid detergent over powder to prevent fabric damage.
- Avoid scrubbing directly on embroidered areas to preserve stitching.
Using proper washing techniques for embroidered garments will help maintain the colour vibrancy and thread integrity
Best Detergents for Workwear Longevity
The wrong detergent can weaken fabric fibres and cause logos to fade. Here are some top recommendations:
✔ Mild, enzyme-free detergents: Ideal for screen-printed and embroidered fabrics.
✔ pH-neutral liquid detergents: Help preserve fabric colour and prevent fading.
✔ Eco-friendly detergents: Reduce chemical wear on uniforms and are gentler on skin.
⚠ Avoid detergents with bleach or optical brighteners, as they can strip colours from both fabric and printed designs.
How to Prevent Logo Fading on Uniforms
Printed and embroidered designs need extra care to keep them looking fresh. Follow these simple steps to prevent logo fading on uniforms:
- Wash in cold water: Heat is the biggest enemy of printed designs.
- Turn garments inside out: Reduces friction and prevents logo wear.
- Use a mild detergent: Harsh chemicals speed up fading.
- Avoid direct sunlight drying: UV exposure can cause colours to fade.
- Don’t iron over prints: Use a low-heat setting with a cloth barrier.
By adopting these care habits, you’ll prolong the life of your custom uniforms.
Storage Tips for Custom Workwear
How you store your workwear is just as important as how you wash it. Poor storage can lead to creased fabric, stretched collars, or faded prints. Here are some best practices:
✔ Hang uniforms on wooden or padded hangers to maintain shape.
✔ Store in a cool, dry place to avoid moisture damage.
✔ Fold screen-printed apparel loosely to prevent cracking over time.
✔ Avoid overpacking storage spaces: allow air circulation to prevent mildew.
How to Prevent Cracking in Screen Prints
Over time, screen prints can develop cracks if not properly cared for. Here’s how to stop this from happening:
- Wash in cold water: Hot washes break down the ink.
- Skip the tumble dryer: The heat can make prints brittle.
- Use a gentle cycle: Less agitation means less wear.
- Don’t wring out wet garments: This stretches the print and fabric.
If you notice small cracks forming, stop machine washing altogether and switch to hand washing to extend the design’s lifespan.
Drying Techniques for Screen Printed Apparel
Drying your workwear the right way is just as crucial as washing it. Heat exposure can cause shrinking, fading, and print damage. Here’s what to do:
❌ Avoid high-heat tumble drying – It accelerates cracking and fading.
✅ Air dry flat or on a hanger to preserve shape.
✅ Dry inside out to protect designs from direct sunlight.
✅ Use a low-heat setting if machine drying is necessary.
For embroidered garments, lightly steam or iron on low heat to remove wrinkles without damaging the stitching.
Final Thoughts: Protecting Your Custom Workwear
Taking proper care of your custom uniforms ensures they stay comfortable, professional, and durable for the long run. From washing techniques to storage tips, these small maintenance steps make a big difference in preserving the quality of embroidered and printed garments.
By following this workwear maintenance guide, you’ll not only extend the life of your uniforms, but also keep your brand looking sharp—wash after wash.
Need more guidance on custom workwear? Get in touch with Scream Print Screenprinting today!