How to Care for Your Uniforms to Make Them Last

It All Starts With the Right Uniform

At Arrow, we know that long-lasting workwear begins well before the first wash – it starts with choosing the right uniform for your team's environment, demands, and workflow. When garments are fit-for-purpose from the outset, caring for them becomes easier and more effective.

From there, how you wash, store, and maintain your uniforms plays a critical role in preserving quality, ensuring comfort, and protecting your brand image. Whether you're managing uniforms in a busy healthcare setting or overseeing hospitality teams, a few simple habits can make a big difference in extending garment life.

This guide offers practical, proven tips to help your uniforms stay sharp, hygienic, and professional – day after day.

1. Understand Your Fabric

Start by knowing what you're working with. Different fabrics require different approaches:

• Delicate materials like soft knits or lightweight layers benefit from gentle cycles and minimal heat
• Robust blends, such as polycotton or canvas, handle regular machine washing well and are designed for frequent use.

Pro tip: All Arrow garments include a care label – use it as your go-to for fabric specific instructions.

2. Follow the CARE Label (Every Time)

The care label isn't just a legal requirement – it's a precision guide, tailored to each garment's construction.
Following these instructions helps avoid colour fading, shrinkage, and fabric damage.

Why it matters:

• The care label reflects the fabric's composition and how it performs under different conditions
• Ignoring it may lead to premature wear – something easily avoidable with the right cycle and temperature
  

3. Wash Smart at Home

Most Arrow uniforms are designed for domestic machine washing, which means your team can clean them easily at home without special equipment.

Here's how to get it right:

• Use warm water (around 40°C) - if not every time, at least from time to time. This activates branded detergents better than cold water and breaks down oils and grime effectively
• Cold washing is generally fine for synthetic or colour-fast garments but may be less effective for high-use pieces
• Tumble dry on low or opt for line drying, then finish with a quick press using a steam iron for that crisp professional look

Reminder: New Zealand household machines are capped at 55°C for safety – safe for most fabrics including branded options.

4. Special Considerations: Commercial Laundry

If your business uses a commercial laundry service, garment selection matters.

• Only certain products, like our Arrow HERCULES polycotton range or the MR35 scrub tops and pants, are built for high-temperature laundering.
• Some commercial dryers reach up to 400°C, so garments must be certified for that level of heat.
• If in doubt, ask us!

5. Hygiene & Infection Control (Especially in Healthcare)

Concerned about hygiene? You're not alone – many of our healthcare partners ask about disinfection best practices.

Here's what matters:

• Commercial laundries typically rely on hot dryers, not just water temperature, to meet hygiene standards
• At home, you can achieve excellent disinfection by:
  • Washing warm (40-55°C)
  • Line drying
  • Finishing with a steam iron, which improves appearance

And no, your household machine won't hit 100°C unless it's an autoclave system (not standard or necessary in most cases).

6. Store with Intention

After washing, what happens next makes a big difference in how your uniform performs shift after shift:

• Hang garments on wide hangers to maintain shape
• Keep them out of direct sunlight to prevent fading
• Avoid damp, enclosed storage areas that can attract mould or odours

If possible, rotate between two or more sets – especially in high-intensity roles.

Let the garments rest between washing and wearing. We recommend one wearing; one washing; one waiting to get an extended life-span!

7. Regularly Inspect & Refresh

Even with the best care, uniforms undergo wear and tear. Make it routine to:

• Check for loose threads, fading, or damaged fasteners
• Replace garments when performance or appearance dips
• Use myArrow to reorder quickly or flag garments that need replacing
  
  

Care Now, Save Later

Well-cared-for uniforms aren't just more durable – they look better, feel better, and support your brand reputation. A few thoughtful habits around washing, storing and handling can significantly extend a garment's lifespan.

Care Checklist:

- Follow the care label
- Match the cycle to the fabric type
- Prefer warm washes (40°C)
- Use low tumble or line dry
- Steam iron for appearance + hygiene
- Choose commercial-safe garments for commercial laundering