{"id":3473,"date":"2025-08-13T03:52:50","date_gmt":"2025-08-13T02:52:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hamletlaundry.com\/blog\/?p=3473"},"modified":"2026-01-11T04:28:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T04:28:12","slug":"how-to-wash-workwear-properly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hamletlaundry.com\/blog\/how-to-wash-workwear-properly","title":{"rendered":"How to Wash Workwear Properly: Uniform, Hi-Vis &#038; Heavy-Duty Care"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"3473\" class=\"elementor elementor-3473\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49ee0a8b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"49ee0a8b\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-199b0a2c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"199b0a2c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 05-08-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<h1>How to Wash Workwear Properly<\/h1><p>Workwear isn\u2019t like weekend <a href=\"https:\/\/hamletlaundry.com\/blog\/best-laundry-service-and-dry-cleaning-in-berrylands\">laundry<\/a>. It collects <strong>grease, grit, sweat, and sometimes contamination<\/strong>\u2014and the wrong wash routine can leave clothes looking \u201cclean\u201d but still smelling bad, wearing out faster, or (in the case of hi-vis) losing performance.<\/p><p>At <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/hamletlaundry.com\/\">Hamlet Laundry Ltd<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/hamletlaundry.com\/blog\/travel-guide-to-london\">London<\/a>)<\/strong>, we <a href=\"https:\/\/hamletlaundry.com\/blog\/best-laundry-service-and-dry-cleaning-in-canary-wharf\">clean<\/a> workwear every day\u2014from light-duty uniforms to heavy-duty gear and hi-vis. This guide shares the same logic we use in professional laundering, translated into <strong>safe, practical steps<\/strong> you can apply at home or in a workplace laundry setup.<\/p><h2>The 7-step workwear wash method<\/h2><p>If you only read one section, read this:<\/p><ol><li><strong>Check the care label<\/strong> and assess contamination risk<\/li><li><strong>Empty pockets<\/strong> (seriously), close zips, fasten Velcro<\/li><li><strong>Sort by soil level<\/strong> (light vs heavy) and fabric type<\/li><li><strong>Pre-treat stains<\/strong> (especially grease\/oil)<\/li><li>Wash at the <strong>hottest temperature the garment allows<\/strong><\/li><li>Use the <a href=\"https:\/\/hamletlaundry.com\/blog\/choosing-the-right-laundry-detergent\"><strong>right detergent<\/strong><\/a> (enzyme vs non-bio, correct dose)<\/li><li><strong>Dry properly<\/strong> (avoid damaging reflective trims and technical fabrics)<\/li><\/ol><p>Keep reading if you want the \u201cwhy\u201d and the pro-level stain\/hi-vis protocols.<\/p><h2>Safety first: When you should not wash workwear at home<\/h2><p>Some workwear should not go into a home washer at all\u2014because cross-contamination is a real risk.<\/p><p><strong>Do not home-wash<\/strong> garments that may be contaminated with:<\/p><ul><li>Unknown chemicals or solvents<\/li><li>Asbestos\/insulation dust or hazardous fine powders<\/li><li>Heavy pesticide exposure<\/li><li>Biological hazards (e.g., bodily fluids) without proper handling guidance<\/li><\/ul><p>In healthcare contexts, even official guidance notes that facilities should provide laundering or clear instructions based on exposure risk.<\/p><p><strong>What to do instead<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>Isolate the garment (bag it), avoid mixing it with other laundry, and follow employer\/site guidance.<\/li><li>For teams, consider <strong>professional laundering<\/strong> where processes are controlled and loads are separated.<\/li><\/ul><h2>Why workwear needs different laundry rules: the 5 levers of cleaning<\/h2><p>When people say \u201cmy work clothes still smell,\u201d it\u2019s usually because one of these levers is off:<\/p><ol><li><strong>Temperature<\/strong> (how hot the wash is)<\/li><li><strong>Chemistry<\/strong> (detergent type and dose)<\/li><li><strong>Time<\/strong> (cycle length + soak\/pre-wash)<\/li><li><strong>Mechanical action<\/strong> (agitation, drum movement)<\/li><li><strong>Loading<\/strong> (too full = poor rinsing and poor soil removal)<\/li><\/ol><p>A peer-reviewed household laundry study measuring <strong>soil removal and bacterial reduction<\/strong> showed that outcomes vary substantially with temperature and detergent concentration\u2014highlighting that \u201clower temperature\u201d isn\u2019t automatically equivalent unless the rest of the process is adjusted.<\/p><h2>Step-by-step: How to wash work clothes in a washing machine<\/h2><h3>Step 1: Read the care label and do a 20-second inspection<\/h3><ul><li>Check the wash temp, drying method, and warnings (e.g., \u201cno softener,\u201d \u201cno bleach\u201d).<\/li><li>Brush off dry mud\/grit outside if possible.<\/li><li>Look for contamination signs (chemical smell, unusual residues). If in doubt, don\u2019t home-wash.<\/li><\/ul><h3>Step 2: Empty pockets and protect the garment<\/h3><ul><li>Empty pockets (screws, pens, blades, anything sharp).<\/li><li>Close zips and fasten Velcro to prevent snagging.<\/li><li>Turn garments inside-out when the label allows (helps protect outer finishes and prints).<\/li><\/ul><h3>Step 3: Sort by soil level (not just colours)<\/h3><p>Sort into at least two loads:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Light soil<\/strong> (office uniforms, lightly worn polos, clean site vests)<\/li><li><strong>Heavy soil<\/strong> (grease, mud, construction dust, workshop wear)<\/li><\/ul><p>This matters because heavy soil needs more chemistry\/time and can redeposit onto cleaner items.<\/p><h3>Step 4: Pre-treat stains (this is where most people win or lose)<\/h3><p>For workwear, pre-treatment isn\u2019t optional\u2014it\u2019s the difference between \u201cmostly clean\u201d and properly clean.<\/p><p><strong>General rule:<\/strong> apply a <a href=\"https:\/\/hamletlaundry.com\/blog\/how-to-get-mud-stain-out-of-clothes\">stain<\/a> remover or a small amount of detergent directly to the stain, gently work it in, and wait 10\u201330 minutes.<\/p><p><strong>Why this works (simple science):<\/strong> enzyme detergents commonly use enzymes like <strong>proteases<\/strong> (good on protein-based stains) and <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lipase\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>lipases<\/strong><\/a> (help with fats\/oils). A recent study tested protease\u2013lipase combinations and found improved stain removal on cotton and polyester fabrics compared to detergent alone.<\/p><h3>Step 5: Choose wash temperature wisely<\/h3><p>Use the hottest temperature the garment label allows <strong>that still fits your safety and fabric needs<\/strong>.<\/p><p><strong>Hygiene note (honest and specific):<\/strong> In healthcare uniform research, domestic laundering at <strong>60\u00b0C for 10 minutes<\/strong> was found sufficient to decontaminate hospital uniforms in the study setup, achieving very high bacterial reduction, with detergent helping and ironing removing post-wash recontamination.<br \/>That doesn\u2019t mean \u201ceveryone must wash everything at 60\u00b0C,\u201d but it does support a real principle: <strong>temperature + detergent + process quality<\/strong> materially affect hygiene outcomes.<\/p><p>A separate peer-reviewed study comparing different household wash scenarios found that bacterial reduction and soil removal can trade off depending on the temperature and detergent concentration used.<\/p><h4>Practical rule of thumb<\/h4><ul><li>If your job is <strong>high-sweat \/ high-odor \/ high-contact<\/strong>, prioritize a process that actually removes residues (not just \u201clooks clean\u201d).<\/li><li>If the garment is technical\/hi-vis, prioritize <strong>label + tape guidance<\/strong> (next section).<\/li><\/ul><h3>Step 6: Detergent choice (what actually matters)<\/h3><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/hamletlaundry.com\/blog\/eco-friendly-laundry-detergent\"><strong>Enzyme (\u201cbio\u201d) detergents<\/strong> <\/a>often help on mixed real-life stains (sweat, food, grime).<\/li><li><strong>Non-bio<\/strong> can be useful where enzymes aren\u2019t desired (skin sensitivity or certain fabrics\/requirements).<\/li><\/ul><p>Two practical notes we see often:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Overdosing detergent<\/strong> can cause residue \u2192 residue traps odor.<\/li><li><strong>Underdosing on heavy soil<\/strong> leads to \u201cwashed but not clean.\u201d<\/li><\/ul><p>If your machine has it, an <strong>extra rinse<\/strong> helps on heavy loads.<\/p><h3>Step 7: Drying without shrinkage or damage<\/h3><ul><li>Don\u2019t over-dry cotton-heavy workwear (shrinkage + fiber stress).<\/li><li>Don\u2019t bake hi-vis or reflective trims at high heat unless guidance says it\u2019s okay.<\/li><li>Never leave a wet load sitting for hours\u2014odor and microbial survival is a known problem in laundering discussions.<\/li><\/ul><h2>Grease protocol: How to wash oily, mechanic, and workshop workwear<\/h2><p>This is the #1 workwear washing problem.<\/p><h3>What makes grease hard?<\/h3><p>Grease often binds with <strong>fine particulates<\/strong> (dust\/metal grime), creating a soil mix that plain washing struggles to lift without pre-treatment.<\/p><h3>Hamlet Laundry\u2019s grease routine (home-safe version)<\/h3><ol><li><strong>Scrape\/blot excess<\/strong> grease (paper towel; don\u2019t rub it deeper)<\/li><li><strong>Pre-treat<\/strong> with a stain remover or detergent directly on the grease<\/li><li>If fabric allows, run a <strong>warm pre-wash<\/strong> or longer main wash<\/li><li>Wash heavy grease items <strong>separately<\/strong> from normal clothes<\/li><li>Use an <strong>extra rinse<\/strong> if detergent residue is likely<\/li><li>Air-dry first if unsure\u2014heat can set stains; then rewash if needed<\/li><\/ol><p><strong>Pro tip:<\/strong> If a garment comes out with a \u201cclean smell\u201d but the stain remains, don\u2019t tumble dry it yet. Re-treat and wash again.<\/p><h2>Hi-vis protocol: How to wash hi-vis clothing without ruining reflectivity<\/h2><p>Hi-vis isn\u2019t just clothing\u2014it\u2019s safety gear.<\/p><p>Many hi-vis garments use <strong>retroreflective tapes<\/strong> designed to meet performance requirements associated with <strong>EN ISO 20471<\/strong> high-visibility garments. Tape manufacturers publish care instructions because the tape performance depends on correct processing. For example, ORAFOL\u2019s ORALITE garment tape documents describe tape use on EN ISO 20471:2013 garments and discuss industrial wash-cycle qualification on specific background fabrics.<\/p><h3>The safe hi-vis washing rules (most labels align with these)<\/h3><ul><li><strong>Avoid fabric softener<\/strong> unless the label explicitly allows it (it can leave coatings\/residue)<\/li><li>Close Velcro and zips (Velcro is a tape killer)<\/li><li>Wash <strong>inside out<\/strong> when allowed<\/li><li>Use <strong>moderate temperature<\/strong> unless the label states otherwise<\/li><li>Avoid harsh bleaching unless garment guidance permits it<\/li><li>Dry gently; avoid excessive heat<\/li><\/ul><p>Some ORALITE care documents also note certification\/testing for a number of wash cycles under specified methods and emphasize that changing the process changes responsibility\u2014meaning: <strong>follow the specified care process if you need performance retention<\/strong>.<\/p><p><strong>When to replace hi-vis<\/strong><br \/>Replace if:<\/p><ul><li>reflective strips crack\/peel<\/li><li>fabric is permanently stained (visibility compromised)<\/li><li>tape no longer reflects properly<\/li><\/ul><h2>Odor &amp; hygiene: How to remove smells and keep workwear hygienic<\/h2><p>Odor isn\u2019t just \u201cdirt.\u201d It\u2019s often:<\/p><ul><li>sweat residue<\/li><li>detergent residue<\/li><li>bacteria living in residues<\/li><li>poor drying\/storage<\/li><\/ul><h3>What works in real life<\/h3><ul><li>Don\u2019t overload the washer (residue won\u2019t rinse out)<\/li><li>Consider an extra rinse for heavy loads<\/li><li>Dry thoroughly and store dry (damp storage is a known risk for microbial survival).<\/li><li>If odor persists, rewash with better <strong>pre-treatment<\/strong> and correct detergent dose before blaming the machine.<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>Evidence note:<\/strong> household laundry testing shows different wash parameters change bacterial reduction outcomes; temperature and detergent concentration matter.<\/p><h2>Fabric &amp; garment guide: fast reference table<\/h2><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Workwear type<\/strong><\/td><td><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/hamletlaundry.com\/blog\/how-to-choose-the-best-dry-cleaning-service-in-london\">Best<\/a> practice<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Avoid<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Cotton-heavy trousers\/hoodies<\/td><td>Pre-treat stains; don\u2019t over-dry<\/td><td>High heat tumble on already-tight garments<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Polycotton uniforms<\/td><td>Sort by soil; correct detergent dose<\/td><td>Overloading (residue \u2192 odor)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Stretch workwear<\/td><td>Gentle cycle if label suggests; lower spin<\/td><td>High heat drying that weakens elastane<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Waterproof\/technical outerwear<\/td><td>Follow label; close all fasteners<\/td><td>Random additives that can affect finishes<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Hi-vis\/reflective<\/td><td>Follow label + tape guidance; protect tape<\/td><td>Fabric softener and excessive heat (unless allowed)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><h2>How often should you wash workwear?<\/h2><p>Use \u201csoil level\u201d and \u201codor\u201d as your guide\u2014plus job requirements.<\/p><p>A practical baseline:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Mechanics\/workshops:<\/strong> usually every shift (oil + particulates)<\/li><li><strong>Construction\/trades:<\/strong> often every shift depending on dust\/mud\/sweat<\/li><li><strong>Hospitality\/food:<\/strong> every shift (hygiene + smell transfer)<\/li><li><strong>Light-duty uniforms:<\/strong> every 1\u20132 wears only if genuinely clean and odor-free<\/li><\/ul><p>If you\u2019re in a hygiene-critical environment, follow employer\/site policy.<\/p><h2>Aftercare: Stop cross-contamination and keep your washing machine fresh<\/h2><p>If you regularly wash heavy soil loads:<\/p><ul><li>Run periodic maintenance cycles (as your machine manual recommends)<\/li><li>Wipe seals and leave the door ajar to dry<\/li><li>Don\u2019t leave wet loads sitting in the drum<\/li><\/ul><p>The core principle: <strong>drying prevents odor recurrence<\/strong> and helps reduce microbial persistence in laundry workflows.<\/p><h2>For London teams: Scaling workwear laundry without the headache<\/h2><p>If you manage uniforms for a team, the \u201chome method\u201d breaks down because:<\/p><ul><li>volumes spike<\/li><li>garments vary by role (front-of-house vs kitchen vs on-site)<\/li><li>turnaround time matters<\/li><\/ul><p>That\u2019s where a professional system helps: consistent sorting, stain handling, controlled processes, and reliable schedules.<\/p><p>If you\u2019re based in London and want workwear handled end-to-end, <a href=\"https:\/\/hamletlaundry.com\/service\/laundry-service\"><strong>Hamlet Laundry Ltd<\/strong><\/a> can help with a practical workflow (pickup\/delivery depending on your setup) so your team\u2019s gear stays clean, presentable, and longer-lasting\u2014without you spending evenings fighting grease stains.<\/p><h2>FAQs<\/h2><p><strong>Can I wash work clothes with normal clothes?<\/strong><\/p><p>It\u2019s better not to. Workwear often carries heavier soil (grease, grit, and odors) that can redeposit on normal laundry. If you must mix, only combine lightly soiled workwear with similar fabrics, and avoid mixing heavily soiled items with everyday clothes.<\/p><p><strong>What temperature should I wash workwear?<\/strong><\/p><p>Use the hottest temperature the care label allows that fits the garment\u2019s materials and your use case. Research on healthcare uniforms shows that 60\u00b0C in a controlled domestic laundering setup can decontaminate uniforms effectively, but not all workwear is designed for that temperature\u2014always follow the label.<\/p><p><strong>How do you remove grease from work clothes?<\/strong><\/p><p>Pre-treat the grease before washing: apply a stain remover or detergent directly, wait 10\u201330 minutes, then wash the garment separately if it\u2019s heavily soiled. Avoid tumble-drying until the stain is gone, because heat can set it.<\/p><p><strong>Can hi-vis <a href=\"https:\/\/hamletlaundry.com\/blog\/best-laundry-service-and-dry-cleaning-in-bickley\">clothing<\/a> go in the tumble dryer?<\/strong><\/p><p>Sometimes, but it depends on the garment and the reflective tape guidance. Hi-vis garments are designed to meet EN ISO 20471 performance expectations, and tape manufacturers publish care instructions\u2014follow the label and tape guidance to protect reflectivity.<\/p><p><strong>What\u2019s the best detergent for work clothes?<\/strong><\/p><p>For many real-world stains, enzyme (\u201cbio\u201d) detergents can help\u2014because enzymes target specific soils (like proteins and fats). A recent study found protease\u2013lipase combinations improved stain removal on common fabrics. If you prefer non-bio for sensitivity reasons, use correct dosing and strong pre-treatment for heavy stains.<\/p><h2>Final takeaway from Hamlet Laundry<\/h2><p>Workwear laundry isn\u2019t about perfection\u2014it\u2019s about <strong>repeatable routines<\/strong> that protect hygiene, safety, and garment life. If you follow the 7-step method, add the grease protocol when needed, and treat hi-vis like the safety equipment it is, your workwear will stay cleaner, last longer, and smell better.<\/p><p>And if you\u2019re in London managing uniforms at scale, Hamlet Laundry Ltd can take the load off\u2014literally\u2014so your team shows up ready, every shift.<\/p><h2>Ready to Stop Fighting Dirty Workwear? Let Hamlet Laundry Handle It \ud83e\uddfa\u2728<\/h2><p><a href=\"https:\/\/hamletlaundry.com\/service\/wash-iron\">Washing workwear properly<\/a> takes <strong>time, consistency, and the right process<\/strong>\u2014especially when you\u2019re dealing with grease, heavy soil, uniforms, or hi-vis clothing. That\u2019s exactly where <strong>Hamlet Laundry Ltd<\/strong> comes in.<\/p><p>Based in <strong>London<\/strong>, we help businesses and professionals keep their workwear <strong>clean, hygienic, and ready for every shift<\/strong>, without the hassle of managing it themselves.<\/p><h3>Why London teams choose Hamlet Laundry \ud83d\udc47<\/h3><p>\u2705 <strong>Professional workwear &amp; uniform laundry<\/strong><br \/>We understand workwear\u2014heavy-duty garments, uniforms, and hi-vis aren\u2019t treated like everyday clothes.<\/p><p>\ud83d\ude9a <strong>Convenient pickup &amp; delivery across London<\/strong><br \/>No trips to the laundrette, no wasted staff time. We fit around your schedule.<\/p><p>\ud83e\uddfc <strong>Proper hygiene-focused cleaning<\/strong><br \/>Our processes are designed to remove <strong>deep dirt, grease, odors, and residues<\/strong>, not just make clothes \u201clook clean.\u201d<\/p><p>\ud83e\uddba <strong>Hi-vis &amp; specialist garment care<\/strong><br \/>We handle reflective and technical workwear carefully to help maintain performance and appearance.<\/p><p>\u23f1\ufe0f <strong>Consistent turnaround, every time<\/strong><br \/>So your team always has clean, ready-to-wear garments when they need them.<\/p><h3>Who we help<\/h3><ul><li>Construction &amp; trade teams<\/li><li>Mechanics &amp; workshops<\/li><li>Hospitality &amp; food service businesses<\/li><li>Offices with uniforms or branded workwear<\/li><li>Any London business managing workwear at scale<\/li><\/ul><p>\ud83d\udca1 <strong>If workwear laundry is costing you time, energy, or garment lifespan, it\u2019s time to outsource it properly.<\/strong><\/p><p>\ud83d\udc49 <a href=\"https:\/\/hamletlaundry.com\/order\"><strong>Contact Hamlet Laundry Ltd today<\/strong> <\/a>and let us take care of your workwear\u2014so you can focus on running your business, not running the washing machine.<\/p><p><em>Clean workwear. Reliable service. One less thing to worry about.<\/em><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How to Wash Workwear Properly Workwear isn&rsquo;t like weekend laundry. It collects grease, grit, sweat,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":3476,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[510,620,19],"tags":[438,47,437,439,349],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hamletlaundry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3473"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hamletlaundry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hamletlaundry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hamletlaundry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hamletlaundry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3473"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/hamletlaundry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3473\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3479,"href":"https:\/\/hamletlaundry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3473\/revisions\/3479"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hamletlaundry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3476"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hamletlaundry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3473"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hamletlaundry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3473"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hamletlaundry.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3473"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}