Clothing Care

We have such a wide selection of waitstaff aprons here at Sharper Uniforms, that you can find the perfect one for every situation. If your staff uses aprons on the job, you should make sure that they’re doing it properly. After all, the purpose of an apron is to protect your clothing from whatever you’re doing. They’re there to get dirty, so you shouldn’t feel guilty every time a little something spills on it! There is a line, of course. Your staff should look as neat as possible on the job.

So where is that line?

It should go without saying that extremely dirty aprons are unsanitary—especially if you’re working with food. They also look unprofessional and unattractive. You don’t want to spread any germs or be unsightly to your co-workers or patrons of the establishment.

What’s the bottom line? You can generally wear an apron through an entire shift at work (if you’re a waiter or barista) without having to change it. But if you spill something on yourself or come into contact with something unsanitary, you should replace your apron ASAP. With Sharper Uniforms, there are enough aprons and options to keep you going for weeks!

Winter is upon us, and that means that your staff is going to have to take care of their hospitality outerwear. We have a few tips for keeping different outdoor garments clean this season.

Coats
The frequency with which you clean your coat doing the winter depends on your daily environment. If your business is in a busy city area, consider cleaning your coat once a month. Dust and dirt particles can actually get into the weave of a coat and will wear the fabric down. Otherwise, you can clean your coat twice a season. Clean it once at the beginning of winter and once at the end. All of the great hospitality coats here at Sharper Uniforms can withstand many different environments.

Scarves
Many people don’t consider cleaning winter scarves more than once a season, but you really should. After all, your staff is the face of your business. Scarves are continually exposed to perspiration and makeup. Anything close to the body needs to be cleaned more often.

Gloves and Mittens
Leather gloves are more durable than fabric gloves, and they can usually be wiped with a damp cloth when they’re dirty. You should bring your leather gloves to a dry cleaner for a cleaning once a season.

With these tips, your outerwear will stay nice and clean all season long!

One of the most often overlooked, but absolutely critical pieces of your support staff is the maintenance team. They keep the hotel running smoothly and are on hand to fix all of your minor, and major, crises. Their work isn’t always glamorous – not that you’d expect that from unclogging toilets and shoveling snow. However, when they’re NOT there, you notice it.

To keep your maintenance crew running at peak performance, you need maintenance uniforms that are durable yet comfortable. They’ll undoubtedly get dirty, so pick stain resistant and tough fabrics that will withstand lots of wear and tear. They should also be comfortable and have enough flexibility that your staff won’t feel constricted when working in tight spaces. Finally, they need to look good. Maintenance staff are often called in to work on problems in rooms where guests are staying, so their appearance is just as important as the rest of your staff!

You’ve probably got a favorite shirt that you take extra care of. It gets washed on the gentle cycle and is never left in a rumpled heap on the floor. But what about your professional wardrobe? Does it get the same love and attention? If you’re not taking proper care of your career clothing, you’ll end up spending more time and money in the long run as you try to look your best. We’ve collected some great tips that can help you keep your clothes in tip top shape!

Watch Care Labels. Every garment has a care label. You should review the instructions on that label before washing. Don’t just assume everything can go in the same laundry load!

Sort Laundry Before Washing. Don’t mix your lights and darks, just like mom taught us when we were little! The last thing you want is dark colors to bleed onto your light colored clothing. Separate delicates which might be damaged in the wash with coarser clothing. Also, wash things that produce lint, like towels, in their own load.

Treat Stains ASAP. Don’t ever let stains sit on the fabric, if you can help it. Use a spot remove on a stain as soon as you see it.

Press Or Steam. Eliminating wrinkles is important for a professional look. Just make sure you’ve checked your heat settings before you start so that you don’t burn or damage the fabric.

Don’t Skimp On Hangers. Ditch the wire hangers and use something with more support that won’t allow clothes to sag out of shape.

Zip It Up! Garments with zippers should be zipped up and secured. Velcro closures should be covered and turned inside out so that these items can’t catch on other clothing and cause snags

Your uniforms take a lot of abuse, especially during your busiest times of year. With the holiday season only a few months away, it pays to be prepared for the rush. When you’ve got a lot to do and not a whole lot of time to get things done, the last thing you need to worry about is laundry. To ensure that your staff looks pristine during this busy time of year, here are a few quick tips from SharperUniforms.com:

1.First off, keep a few spare uniform pieces on hand just in case. An unexpected rip, split or spill may warrant a replacement pair of pants or shirt for one of your staff members. By keeping a few pieces on hand, you’ll always be prepared.

2.Invest in a quality detergent that’s gentle on your clothing yet can still get out tough stains. Don’t just go for whatever is cheapest. Caring for your uniforms the right way ensures they last longer and stay looking great.

3.Keep a sewing kit on hand on the job to ensure that you’re ready to take on any lost buttons or ripped seams.

4.Stain remover pens or wipes are must-haves when you deal with food. Stash a few in with your catering supplies.

5.Keep your clothing looking its best by following the care instructions on the uniform tag. Oftentimes, perfectly good clothing is ruined by overlooking what the care instructions really are. Save yourself money and frustration. Read the tag before washing.

If so, it’s important to remember that impressions are everything. From the linens to the décor, the food to the service, the details that make up your business will either make or break an experience for your guests. You have to make sure that your guests are impressed at it all. Start out by caring for your restaurant linens the right way with a few of these tips from SharperUniforms.com.

First of all, no one likes a dirty table cloth. Besides looking uninviting and unsanitary, dirty table linens give off the impression that the restaurant simply does not care about every little detail in the experience. Prove your guests wrong by taking extra time to care for your linens the right way by either washing yourself at the end of every service, or by utilizing a laundry service. The cleanliness will ensure that your business always makes the right impression.

Next, consider the laundering of your employees. Are their uniforms clean? Do they look professional and send the right message to guests? If not, it’s time to update their wardrobes with restaurant uniforms from SharperUniforms.com and a stricter dress code. Make sure the clothing looks clean, pressed and elegant. Remember, your guests are paying for a true experience.

Finally, ensure that your restaurant always makes the right impression with your guests by choosing linens that create a feel for the space. Choose colors and textures that are durable enough to last, yet offer the luxurious look and feel that guests come to expect from a top quality restaurant. Not sure of what to pick? Work with your linen provider or a designer to come up with a perfect fit.

Keeping your clothing in its best condition is important, especially if you really want to get the full value out of each and every piece. To help you preserve the look, quality, and color of your favorite clothing items or uniforms, try out some of these easy tips from SharperUniforms.com:

1.Read the label to your clothing. This is the best possible way to find out just what kind of care each piece needs. Even if there’s not a whole lot of information on the label, you can still utilize what’s there in terms of fabric type to determine what the item needs in terms of washing and drying.

2.Wash like colors with other like colors and wash whites only with other whites. If you have a new item in a dark color, wash it completely separate to prevent color bleeding.

3.Turn your clothes inside out when you wash and dry them to avoid pilling, damage, or fade in your favorite pieces.
4.Wash your colors in cold to save energy and to preserve your color quality.

5.Dry your clothing on permanent press or on a cycle with low heat if you can, as this can help to keep your colors vibrant.

6.Lock in color by adding one cup of white vinegar to your wash, along with your laundry detergent.

7.Always choose the right detergent for your clothing, especially if you’re looking to wash delicates.

Doing laundry may not be the most fun thing to do, but with a few smart tips, you can be sure that you’re making the most out of your washer, dryer, and wardrobe. Everyone needs to wash their clothes, but with a little help from SharperUniforms.com, and these great laundry tips, they can complete this chore easily and effectively – with cleaner clothes as a result.

To Prevent Color Bleeding
To save money on your energy and water bills, washing colors together may be a smart option. But to prevent bleeding colors, be sure to choose only cold water and a cup of salt with every load.

To Cut Down On Drying Time
Like tennis? Throw a few tennis balls into each dryer cycle. It cuts down drying time by 25 to 50% and also helps to fluff clothing to a delicate softness.

To Remove Grease Stains
First sprinkle a good amount of baby powder over the stain. Allow for the powder to sit for a few minutes and absorb the excess. Next, use a grease fighting dish detergent on the stain. Scrub well with a toothbrush, then run through the wash.

To Get Rid of Ring Around the Collar
Using a toothbrush or small paintbrush, rub hair shampoo into the collar before running through the wash. Shampoo is made to help with the removal of body oils.