High School Various Uniform Care -need Some Help

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Aug 21, 2013
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I'm still all new to cheering, we had our first football game friday night, saturday we had the kickoff carnival and "meet the teams" event, and tomorrow I have a JV game to cheer, so have to wear my uniform again all day- to school+game. Right now im a bit nervous:

After pulling it out of the wash today, for the second time this weekend, I seem to have 2 issues-

1. Do these things shrink?? I'm a brand new cheerleader for HS, never washed a uniform before! I followed the care instructions but the sleeveless top seemed tighter fitting after the first wash. It isn't uncomfortable it just feels like it shrunk a bit. normal? The second wash it didn't get any worse though.

2. How do you get white deodorant marks to come completely out? It isn't too bad, just a bit around the underside of the arm holes on the top, but I don't want to ruin this by using vinegar or something like i've seen online. I need to switch to a clear product. I was thinking Oxiclean.

3. What is the best setting to touch up with an iron tip for wrinkles?

One last question, on our uniform rule guidelines written by our coach and AD, it says (pretty sternly) all skirts must be worn above the belly button at all times. Mine sits just underneath, I can't pull it up any higher cause it won't stay it just slides down, I can't wear it at the second button in the back comfortably either to make it stay higher on my waist. Is this a big deal? I dont want to get in trouble but can anyone even notice that?

Thx!!
 
I instruct my girls to wash them every 2 to three games, no more than that. They do initially shrink a bit, but make sure you DO NOT DRY THEM. They should hang dry or lay flat to dry. As far as deodorant, switch to a clear deodorant. Secondly, use a washcloth and try to rub off any left over deodorant before washing it. Then I would use a little stain stick on it to make sure it comes out all the way. I do not suggest ironing your uniform. They are polyester and can scorch easily. If you hang it to dry or lay it flat then you should have very few wrinkles. If you still have some turn on your shower really hot, hang up the uniform, and close the bathroom door. That'll help the wrinkles to fall out. If your AD and coach require you to wear it above your belly button then I would do so. If that means that you have to have the skirt altered then let them know and go with what they say.
 
I instruct my girls to wash them every 2 to three games, no more than that. They do initially shrink a bit, but make sure you DO NOT DRY THEM. They should hang dry or lay flat to dry. As far as deodorant, switch to a clear deodorant. Secondly, use a washcloth and try to rub off any left over deodorant before washing it. Then I would use a little stain stick on it to make sure it comes out all the way. I do not suggest ironing your uniform. They are polyester and can scorch easily. If you hang it to dry or lay it flat then you should have very few wrinkles. If you still have some turn on your shower really hot, hang up the uniform, and close the bathroom door. That'll help the wrinkles to fall out. If your AD and coach require you to wear it above your belly button then I would do so. If that means that you have to have the skirt altered then let them know and go with what they say.
Agreed! If you have just a generic body suit ( like just a plain colored one, not one with stripes that match your uniform) then make sure not to dry it; if you do it will get bumbly faster. Also, don't wash it the night before a game/comp/event, you don't want it to still be damp the next morning since it will have to lay out to dry.
 
I'm still all new to cheering, we had our first football game friday night, saturday we had the kickoff carnival and "meet the teams" event, and tomorrow I have a JV game to cheer, so have to wear my uniform again all day- to school+game. Right now im a bit nervous:
After pulling it out of the wash today, for the second time this weekend, I seem to have 2 issues-


I know the feeling, in the fall it seems i have to wear my uniforms at least 3 times a week for some sort of cheering, either a game, fundraiser or pep rally etc. If you wash your uniform after each time wearing it you run the risk of having it get all roughed up from the washer over time, but then again when it's hot out and your sweating how can you not come home and immediately throw it in the wash! It's a balancing act lol.

If your uniform is new it will shrink just slightly on the initial wash, all clothes will do that regardless if they are pre-shrunk, but yes no dryer not even on the lowest setting, I did that in middle school because I was in a hurry and it didn't go well!

I like the oxiclean pre treating spray that you can find in Target or Walmart, Its like $3.00, works wonders on all stains and fabrics, but if your uniform is white just use a little bit mixed with water this way it doesn't overdue it one spot. seems to work best on colors. Use an old tooth brush or coarse cloth to get out the deodorant stains, and yes switch to a clear gel or clear stick brand, especially if you're not wearing anything under your shell alot, those pesky white deodorant marks can become pretty permenant if you don't get them out and then switch your brand. I like the Dove clear stick.

I use an iron on the lowest lowest setting, then use a damp washcloth. If you have a stubborn wrinkle that won't come out using steam or smoothing or whatever, put the damp cloth on the spot and just lightly touch the iron flat surface to it over and over to warm it. You don't want to scorch it or press down too hard. Keep this going for 10 minutes and then pull the cloth up and let the uniform air dry. This usually gets all my wrinkles out, just use common sense don't overpress the iron. There are some good fabric steamers you can find in dept stores that are like $20.00 but will do a pro job on wrinkles also.

With the skirt waist, I hate wearing mine higher than my belly button, it feels weird, but thats me, everyone is different. I'm not sure how tapered short your shell is, but the reason for the guideline is that wearing the skirt higher makes the skirt and shell "meet up" without having any gaps of skin visible along the waistline. Years ago during the low rise fashion days, girls used to roll down the waist of soffee shorts uniform skirts, basically anyting. I'd say follow the rules but wear your uniform and look at yourself in the mirror with the skirt how you currently have it slightly below the belly button. If the top and skirt waist touch each other all the way around you should be good, the top should fall over the skirt waist slightly all the way around, front sides and back, when you're standing stationary. Move around and bend, jump, fake cheer motions to see if any of your waist shows too much. The buttons on the back of the skirt can be adjusted by a good seamstress just a little bit to make it cinch tighter on the waist but comfortable and held up higher. Hope this helps. PM me or reply if you have any questions!
 
Some really good tips! A uniform rep once had a good tip on the skirt thing. If you go by the fingertip rule with how your skirt should fall on the thighs, use the crease of your elbow to determine a line where the skirt should sit at the waist, then the shell should hit that line as well.
I make my own oxi-clean solution from a scoop of the powder and water and that always works, but the pre-made stuff is fine. I always have the hardest time getting makeup and lipgloss off my shell from sweating and just the rubbing off from everyone else so I always wash mine full uniform after each game or comp, but it does fray the lettering interface and skirt striping over time, be careful. ALWAYS use a clear deodorent, or spray, although if you are a heavy sweater spray isn't as protective. If you often wear the shell without the bodyliner underneath you'll find that a clear deodorent also keeps the shell fabric from the irritating rubbing against your underarms, better than the white stuff. I like Kelly's iron method, have to try that one!
 
update on washing

i think i might switch to woolite and hand wash my uniforms, my washer is HE and uses less water, which translates into less water to rinse the uniform. I'm finding detergent spots all over my white uniform and tiny dark oil-like stains all over the dark color uniforms. I wash all the uniforms alone without other clothes. I even tried that HE washer cleaner from Tide and it helped a little. I think woolite would work better, soak, wash, soak, rinse has always been failproof on my handwash only garments.
 
Dryer sheets work great on deodorant stains! Just rub one over the top of it and it'll come right off!

oh wow that does work, just tried it on a foundation stain on my shell. good tip!
 
Are you able to switch the load sizes?

no, the washer senses the load size and fills it up only just enough for what it is. Its a good concept and saves water but for heavy polyester fabrics like shells and skirts the rinse water volume just isn't enough.
 
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