'I'm a stain expert and this hack keeps school uniforms squeaky clean during term time'

Kids have a habit of getting into all kinds of mess – luckily this expert hack can help you keep school uniforms clean all term-long.

It can be tricky keeping uniforms looking neat as children get up to all sorts of activities during the school day which can lead to food, dirt, sweat and ink stains. This can pose even more of a problem if your child’s uniform includes a white shirt, which is quick to show up even the smallest of marks.

Luckily, Rebecca Samuels, a cleaning expert and lifestyle buyer at Suit Direct has shared a great trick to keep school shirts crisp and white. She advises: “Before washing your shirt, pre-treat any stains with a stain remover by applying it directly to the stain and allowing it to sit between 10-15 minutes.”

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However, if you don’t have a stain remover to hand, Rebecca adds that there is a “quick and budget-friendly” way to create your own at home. Even better, you likely have the ingredients in your kitchen cupboard.

Rebecca says: “You can make a stain remover paste using equal parts of white vinegar and baking soda, spot treat your stain by using a little bit of the paste and scrubbing it in gently with an old toothbrush and let it set for 30 minutes before popping it in the wash.”

She adds: “Baking soda also helps to deodorise laundry, making this mix a great option for those pesky yellow underarm stains. Always wash your whites separate from colour and darks to avoid colours running.”

If you’re wondering how to tackle other kinds of stains, Rebecca also has some other tips on offer. For stubborn blazer stains, Rebecca cautions against jumping straight in with a cleaning solution.

Instead, she says you should always test any cleaning solution on a “small, inconspicuous area first” to make sure it doesn’t damage or discolour the fabric. It’s also a good idea to double-check the care label to make sure you’re using the right cleaning materials.

One of the worst stains you can come across on your child’s uniform are ink marks. When it comes to these, Rebecca recommends applying a small amount of rubbing alcohol to a cotton ball and gently dabbing the stain.

Though, she warns that this should be tested on a hidden area first to make sure it doesn’t affect the colour. Meanwhile, for ketchup or tomato-based stains, Rebecca suggests using a mixture of equal-parts white vinegar and water to gently blot the area.

When it comes to dreaded chocolate stains, she says you should gently scrape off any residue and then apply a paste of baking soda and water.