Uniform upkeep and ironing

Uniform upkeep  

Ironing of your uniform                                                                                                 

We all know the easiest way - ask our Mums! But it’s your responsibility, so here's a little on how to iron your uniform!

Iron shirts with your iron set to medium - not hot beacuse this can burn the material.

Iron trousers on hot- place a clean cotton tea towel between your trousers and the iron.

Shirts

Shirts take no time at all when you know how. If your shirt is dry, lightly spray it with water (you can use a water sprayer set to produce a mist)

1)      Iron the inside of the collar

2)      Take your shirt off the board and place one of the sides on so that the neck is at the end of the board, then iron it.

3)      Place the back of the shirt on the board next (you will have to do this in two parts)

4)      Now place the other front panel on the board and iron that.

5)      Undo the epaulettes and iron them.

6)      Place the sleeve along the length of the ironing board. Use a good water sprayer and soak the crease - not too much though.

7)      Place the iron at the cuff end of the sleeve while pulling the crease to keep it tight.

8)      Press firmly on the iron and steadily move up to the shoulder end of the sleeve.

9)      Repeat for the other sleeve and you should have a perfect pair of creases.

Trousers

Take care ironing trousers as you can make the material shine.

1)      Place the trousers on their side onto the ironing board.

2)      Pull both ends of the already existing crease and make sure no material is ruffled up underneath and that the crease is not folded or moved, otherwise you will get tramlines.

3)      Spray the crease with your water sprayer.

4)      Place a plain cotton tea towel over the crease and spray this too.

5)      Now place your iron on the cloth over the crease and press firmly, and slowly move the iron up to the crease taking care not to go off the cloth and onto your trousers. Repeat as many times as necessary to do the entire crease.

6)      Repeat the process in the following order: next front crease, then rear creases.

7)      Make sure you don’t have tramlines in your creases.

The use of a cloth prevents the material shining when the iron is placed directly on to the material. If you do not you end up with razor sharp creases with a shiny patch down one side.

Once you have ironed your trousers, you will need to keep the creases sharp and not get any unwanted creases. Use a purpose made trouser hanger - available from military surplus stores and hardware stores or use a double clipped hanger, clip your trousers in at the top, and they will hang straight.

Skirts

To get the correct length, kneel on the floor, upright, ask another Cadet, or your Parent to pin the hem as it touches the floor, this is then the correct length. Do not turn up your skirt at the bottom with a huge hem, it will be noticed, and if you double the hem it is worse. Wash on a 40 degree or wool wash in the machine and don’t forget the fabric conditioner. When dry turn inside out and iron flat.

Belt

1)      First remove the buckle. 

2)      Now take some metal polish (e.g.  Basso) using cotton wool rub over the surface. 

3)      After a short whole your belt should come to a high shine.  You frequently have to change your cotton wool as it soon goes black. Make sure you use a clean duster to polish afterwards. Do not attempt to wash the belt itself.

Jumper

This is probably the easiest to maintain.  All that is needed to keep it in good condition is an occasional iron or, if starts to get “fluffy” then give it a quick shave, not literally with foam and a razor but with a small pair of scissors.  Being careful not to cut the jumper, remove any sticking out fibres.  DO NOT CUT OFF THREADS - instead pull them through from the inside using a needle or pin. If the jumper needs washing use a 40 degree wash or wool wash in the machine, and don’t forget your fabric conditioner.

Brassard

There should be no creases. Be careful not to iron over the top of the elastic as the imprint will show through the front of the brassard, spoiling the look.  To get round this put the iron in between.

DPM Jacket + trousers

Iron until flat.  Remember that it’s DPM, so creases are hard to see. Nevertheless iron all pockets flat against the jacket and sew on any missing buttons.