WITH the summer holidays well and truly over, it can feel like washing your kids’ school uniforms is a vicious and never-ending cycle.

The return of grass-stained PE kits, grubby shirts and school uniforms on constant rotation means laundry baskets will feel endlessly full.

Three teenage students in school uniforms stand outside a building.Experts have shared their top washing to tips to make school uniforms last longer Credit: Alamy An open washing machine door, a basket of laundry, a bottle of detergent, and a pair of white socks on the floor.And it also saves you money in the long run Credit: Getty

And since most parents are often in a rush, it’s always tempting to just shove everything into the machine or leave it to another day.

But experts have warned that not washing them correctly could actually be ruining your kids’ school uniform or causing them to fade, snag and wear out faster than they need to.

Appliance pro Michael Forbes from AEG has revealed that there are five laundry mistakes that could be shortening the lifespan of your child’s clothes.

And he shared his top tips to help make sure uniforms stay looking their best for longer and potentially save parents from replacing items mid-term.

1. Turn logoed uniform inside out before washing

Many school uniforms have embroidered badges and printed logos, which can gradually fade through repeated washing.

And Michael says not turning these inside out when washing them can cost you in the long run, as the machine can reduce friction against the surface of the logos.

He adds: “For items like blazers, which can often contain wool, we’d recommend opting for a 30C wash.

“If your appliance does have a cycle specific for this, we’d recommend using its Wool Program (Woolmark-Certified) setting, as it offers a gentler cycle at a cooler temperature.”

2. Don’t leave wet uniform sitting in the machine

It can be tempting to leave a washing in the machine after a cycle has finished if we’re busy, but experts say this could damage clothes.

Michael explains: “When school shirts, jumpers and trousers are left sitting in the washing machine after a cycle is complete, they can often clump together, which causes them to hold moisture and ultimately slow down the drying process, leaving the uniform feeling less fresh.

“Whether you choose to tumble dry or air dry, make sure to remove the uniform promptly, and separate it, which can help to circulate more air between the fibres, allowing them to dry faster.

“Before drying, give each piece of uniform a good shake and waft it out.

“This helps to separate the fibres, release excess moisture, and reduce creasing, which can help cut down on the time spent on ironing later.

“A particularly useful tip when you’re trying to get uniform washed, dried and ready for the next school day!”

Michael Forbes, Appliance Expert at AEG, smiling.Michael Forbes, Appliance Expert at AEG Credit: Supplied

Refresh rather than wash

APPLIANCE pro Michael has also reminded parents that refreshing clothes rather than putting them in for a full wash after just one wear is always an option when it comes to school uniforms.

Not only can this keep clothes lasting a little longer, but this can also save you money in the long run.

He said: “Not every item needs a full wash after a single wear.

“If a uniform is still clean upon inspection, but just needs a little freshen up, we’d commend using the Steam Refresh setting if you have one.

“Steaming instead of washing is one of the best ways to refresh clothes that do not need a full wash.

“Steam Refresh uses 96 per cent less water per cycle, helping your clothes last longer while helping save water and energy.”

3. Remove sweaty PE uniforms from school bags immediately

Michael has also urged parents to avoid leaving sweaty PE kits zipped up in school bags and wash them as soon as possible.

The appliance expert says: “It’s an old-age debate with your kids, but sweaty t-shirts, socks and sports can quickly develop stubborn odours and even stains if they are left inside a school bag overnight.

“Removing them as soon as the kids are home is the first step to keeping those PE kits fresh as possible.

“Many PE kits and sportwear contain synthetic fibres, so washing at 30C, using a gentler cycle is usually enough to lift sweat and dirt without damaging the material.

“Additionally, many washing machines have a Synthetics programme which helps provide the gentler care these technical materials need, combined with the cool 30C wash, it’s an effective way to remove sweat, mud and everyday dirt while helping to preserve colours and protect printed names, numbers and crests.”

4. Treat stains immediately

Children will undoubtedly come home from school with a stain or two. But treating them ASAP is key to getting rid of them for good.

Michael explains: “Whether it be food stains from lunch on their freshly ironed shirts or grass stains from playing outside on their shorts, we know they can be tricky to get out when festering all day.

“Not only do we recommend treating the stain before it goes in the washing machine, but if it’s still visible after a wash, avoid placing straight into the dryer, treat the area again and wash till it’s gone! Heat can sometimes make marks more difficult to remove.

“When using detergent pods, if you want the pod to dissolve properly and help get rid of a particularly tricky stain, avoid tossing it straight on top of your clothes. Instead, place the pod at the back of the empty drum, then load your clothes on top.

“Some machines have a dedicated dispenser drawer for detergent pods and liquid. If your machine has one, use it, rather than placing pods directly in the drum.”