Last month, Cintas Corporation which makes corporate uniforms as part of the services they offer, released their 8 Commandments Of Garment Care.  While they intended these clothing care tips for hotel managers who want to get the most out of the uniforms their employees wear, their suggestions may as well have been written for household managers who want to get the most life out of the clothes their kids wear.

Taking a cue from Cintas, we can easily revise the list to better reflect the needs of children’s clothing care.

1. Make sure clothing items fit your child properly. A clothing item should comfortably accommodate a child’s size and proportions, as well as undergarments/diapers if needed.
2. Dress you child in clothing that is activity-appropriate. Nothing is worse than grass stains on dress pants, or having a child not be able to participate in play because they have the wrong shoes.  When kids wear clothing that is suited to the activity they are participating, they’ll not only be able to be fully involved in those activities, but clothing will be easier to take care of.
3. Check for stains. Pre-treating food, grass, and other stains before adding clothing to the wash can help make sure the stains come out in the wash.  Learn how to treat different stains here.
4. Launder similar types of clothing together. Another way to manage the clothing pile is to wash similar types of clothing together.  For example, do a load of Sunday-best clothing or after-school playwear.  By washing them separately, you help keep the dressier clothing in better condition.
5. Do not overload the washing machine. Stuffing the machine with too many clothes does not allow the water and detergent to properly clean and rinse the garments.
   
6. Use the recommended amount of detergent. Too much detergent can damage clothing and not necessarily get them any cleaner.  As well, many detergents are concentrated; using the amount you would with a normal detergent means you are spending more money than needed to keep your clothing clean.
   
7. Wash clothes in the correct water temperature. My tendency, and maybe yours, is to get laundry done in the most efficient way possible by throwing all colors or all whites together and washing them on hot.  But, be sure to check your kids’ clothing labels to see if any of them require different laundering temperatures.  To extend the life of the clothing, try using warm water to reduce shrinking and fading.
8. Follow the care instructions. More than just checking labels for water temperature, you should read them for any other care instructions needed to make sure the clothing is treated properly.  While most kids clothes are pretty straightforward, you may find items that need to be washed by hand, dry-cleaned, or which should not have bleach or be placed in a dryer.
   

What other tips do you have for making sure your kids clothes are cared for so that they look good and last as long as they can be worn?