Sustainable Uniform Care

At InSchoolwear, we want your uniforms to look their best throughout the school year. Proper garment care helps extend the life of your uniforms while keeping students looking neat and professional every day.

Being mindful of how we wash our clothing can also help reduce environmental impact. Simple changes like washing in cold water, using full loads, and air drying when possible can significantly reduce energy use and help garments last longer.

According to Natural Resources Canada, switching from hot to cold water can reduce the energy used for washing by up to 90%. Small adjustments in your laundry routine can make a meaningful difference for both your wardrobe and the planet.

Important Care Tips

  • Heat Warning

    High heat can shrink garments, damage elasticity, fade colours, and shorten garment lifespan. For best results, use low heat settings and avoid overdrying.

  • Ironing & Steaming

    Use low heat when ironing. Steaming is preferred whenever possible. Avoid applying heat directly over crests, logos, or embellishments.

  • Cotton items

    These items include socks, tights, sweatpants and sweaters. Since these items are made of cotton, for best results, wash in cold water and hang dry or dry on a low heat setting.

Dress Pants, Walking Shorts, Kilts, Tunics, Box Pleated Skirts, & Ties

Polyester Blend Items

Care Instructions:

  • Wash in cold water
  • Hang dry for best results
  • Dress pants and walking shorts may be tumble dried on a low heat setting
  • Kilts, tunics, and skirts should be hung to dry or laid flat to dry
  • Avoid excessive heat to help maintain fabric quality, shape, and pleats

Boys Blazers, Girls Blazers

Blazers

Care Instructions:

  • Dry-clean only
  • Store on a structured hanger to help maintain shape
  • Avoid overfilling pockets to preserve garment structure

Polo Shirts, Formal Shirts, Turtlenecks, Knitwear

Shirts & Knitwear

Care Instructions:

  • Wash in warm water
  • Use colour-safe bleach when needed
  • Keep separate from heavily soiled garments
  • Hang dry or tumble dry on a low heat setting
  • Avoid high heat to help preserve garment colour and elasticity

Coolmax Gym Shorts, Gym T-Shirts, Shorts, Sweatshirts, Sweatpants, Socks, Tights

Gymwear & Cotton Items

Care Instructions:

  • Wash in cold water
  • Hang dry when possible
  • Tumble dry on a low heat setting if needed
  • Avoid excessive heat to minimize shrinking and fading

Label Your Uniforms

We recommend labeling all uniform pieces, including sweaters, gym wear, and outerwear, to help prevent loss at school.

We proudly partner with Mabel’s Labels for durable, school-friendly labels.

Their labels are:

  • Long-lasting and fade-resistant
  • Safe for washing machines and dryers
  • Easy to apply
  • Designed specifically for school use


For more details and to explore their full range of products, please visit our partnership page Mabel’s Labels website.

FAQ's

How many items should I buy?

We recommend purchasing at least 2 pairs of pants, 3 shirts, and 1 of each layering piece, such as a sweater or blazer, to ensure comfort and convenience throughout the week. Additionally, having a few pairs of socks and tights on hand allows for easy rotation, while one tie is typically sufficient for regular use. For gym uniforms, we suggest 2 sets to allow for flexibility between laundry days—but ultimately, you know your child’s needs and your household routine best.

What is the purpose of a kilt pin?

A kilt pin is attached to the outer front apron of the kilt near the bottom corner. Its purpose is to help add weight to the fabric, which helps keep the kilt laying properly and reduces movement from wind or walking.

The kilt pin is decorative and functional, but it should only be attached to the top layer of fabric. Pinning through both layers may damage the kilt or affect how it hangs.

Can blazers be machine washed?

Blazers are generally recommended for dry cleaning only to help maintain their structure, shape, and appearance.

How do I preserve kilt pleats? 

To maintain pleats, smooth and arrange them immediately after washing and hang garments to dry naturally.

How do I care for embroidery?

To help preserve embroidered logos and decorated garments, we recommend washing items inside out in cold water using a gentle cycle. Avoid bleach and high heat whenever possible, as excessive heat can affect embroidery, heat transfers, and printed graphics over time. For best results, hang dry garments or use a low heat dryer setting. Do not iron directly over logos, crests, heat transfers, or screen printed areas.

Can InSchoolwear uniforms go in the dryer?

Many uniform items can be dried on a low heat setting; however, hang drying is recommended whenever possible to help maintain garment shape, colour, elasticity, and decoration quality. High heat may cause shrinkage, fading, or damage to decorated areas such as embroidery, heat transfers, and screen printing. Always refer to the garment care label for the best care instructions.