How To Wash Denim Chef Uniforms

Chef Works offers a range of denim chef jackets, denim aprons and denim shirts that are professional, sleek, and trendy, while also looking laid back: perfect attire for both restaurants and cafes.

Denim is a cotton twill fabric that can be tricky to take care of, particularly in terms of its tendency to fade. You may own denim pieces yourself, but do you know how to care for them properly?

Follow our simple tips below to keep your denim well-looked after:

1. It's Okay for a Little Fade

First of all: know that a little bit of fading is normal with denim. In fact, many manufacturers spend much time and money for the 'stressed' look. All denim chef uniforms will fade a little in the wash, so don't panic if this is the case.

2. Water: Hot or Not?

Unlike white chef jackets, which can be washed in hot water, denim chef uniforms should be machine-washed and cleaned in cold water; otherwise, they can shrink and fade. For food and protein stains, hot water can set the stain, baking it into the fabric, so definitely avoid this.

Failing cold water, white distilled vinegar, club soda and baking soda or corn starch can work wonders on food-based stains. If it's oil or butter, use some diluted dishwashing soap. Cold water will not just help clean food stains but will also wash away white marks caused by deodorant on the fabric.

For bloodstains, blot the affected area as soon as possible with a cold, damp sponge. Be careful not to use too much water, as this will help the stain spread. Then pop on some bleach-free pre-wash stain treatment and let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing. Try to soak the chef jacket or denim apron in water – a sink (if you can find one!) or metal container and some quality detergent rubbed into the garment should do the trick. Then, pop into the washing machine when you return home.

Ensure you use mild and natural detergents and always steer clear of fabric softener, as it's very hard on denim fibres.

3. Flip Your Demin Chef Jackets and Shirts

Always flip your denim jacket inside out when washing it to avoid tampering with the dyes and to clean the inner areas that need cleaning in the first place. To get as much life out of your denim as possible, you would avoid washing it too much in any other walk of life. That advice isn't suitable for a Chef, seeing as spillages are part of an average day, but wearing an apron will undoubtedly help reduce stains on the front of your jacket.

4. Line Dry Denim

To stop the denim from shrinking, always line dry your denim chef uniform rather than tumble dry or put them on hangers. Dryers can affect the strength of the fabric weave and the shape of the jacket or apron. Hangers can cause indents near your jacket's shoulders or collar, so it's best to hang them on a straight wire.

5. Use a Lint Roller

A lint roller is a useful handheld device that is perfect for catching lint, dust, and dirt from your denim garments. In between washes, use the lint roller as much as you like, to keep your uniform looking clean.

Failing all of this (or if you didn't get to this article in time), and your denim uniform is too far gone, you can always choose a new one from our denim range.