A recent study by MyWorkwear, personalised uniform, workwear, and personal protective equipment (PPE) suppliers dedicated to improving worker safety and confidence, has studied the cleanliness of uniforms of professionals in the United Kingdom to gain insight into how often items are cleaned and replaced, as well as general sentiments around workwear and its use.
The study found that one in six construction workers replaced their workwear once annually, with 22 percent of respondents replacing items once every two months, and when asked how often items were cleaned, the responses varied.
Items like trousers were cleaned once a week by 33 percent of respondents, while seven percent washed them only a couple of times a month. Tops were washed once a week by 24 percent of respondents while five percent washed them a few times each month. Coveralls were washed once a week by 24 percent of respondents whereas 10 percent washed them only a few times per month. Jackets and fleeces were washed by 30 percent of respondents once per week, with 10 percent washing them a few times each month. When questioned about the motive for their behaviours, 10 percent of workers responded that their employers require them to wash their workwear.
Other sentiments that were gathered from the study were that 41 percent of workers are happy with their current workwear, 23 percent expressed a desire for items to be changed due to fit, and 10 percent felt that the items were not complimentary to different body shapes and sizes.
When asked about how often items of workwear should be washed, James Worthington, co-owner and co-managing director of MyWorkwear noted, “It’s dependent on the items and as per the instructions and hygiene requirements of individuals. It’s also dependent on the environment in which the items are being used—for example, those on site would need to wash items more regularly due to dirt build up compared to those off-site,” he said.
“Wash under layers more often than outer layers and replace once stains can no longer be washed out, therefore impacting brand image. It’s also important that all branded layers are washed regularly so that branding is always on show regardless of changing weather conditions; for example, if it suddenly starts to rain, a clean branded coat should be available.”
For further insight into maintaining workwear, visit: https://www.myworkwear.co.uk/company/what-is-the-best-way-to-maintain-workwear/.
