Read a uniform’s care label in two passes. First check how it may be washed and dried. Then check the ironing and professional-care instructions before you press a new fold, attach a patch or take the garment to a cleaner. A single permission, such as machine washing, tells you little about the rest of the process.
Identify the instruction groups
Look for words or symbols for washing, bleaching, drying, ironing and professional care. A wash tub refers to washing, a square to drying and an iron shape to ironing. A crossed-out symbol indicates that the illustrated treatment should be avoided. For the exact symbols and combinations you see, refer to the ACCC Product Safety guide. The number inside a wash tub is a temperature instruction; dots on an iron refer to its heat setting. Use any accompanying words to clarify the method.
Check the operation you are about to do
For a hem, the iron limit affects whether you can press the fold. For a bonded patch, compare the heat and time needed by the patch with the garment’s instructions. For a blazer, read the cleaning and pressing limits before treating the outer fabric or lining. If a glue product requires more heat than the garment allows, consider a sewn repair instead.
Treat trims and mixed fabrics as part of the garment
A fabric description such as polyester blend does not describe every layer or trim. Ribbing, a printed logo, a lining and a bonded badge can react differently. Read the garment’s own care instructions and any separate directions for removable parts. If the label is faded or absent, try to obtain the instructions for the exact garment from the uniform supplier before applying heat or using a wash method you cannot reverse.
Make a readable record
Write down the full instructions before altering the garment. If you move a name tag, leave the care label in a place where the next person can find it. For a repaired piece, keep the patch directions beside the garment record so the person doing the washing can check both.