Apron Care Guide: Your Ultimate Hospitality Reference

As a hospitality business operator, it is essential to maintain a professional image at all times. One of the key ways to achieve this is by ensuring that your staff look neat and tidy in their uniforms. However, it's not just about looking good - caring for staff uniforms can also help to prolong their lifespan, ultimately saving your business money in the long run. This is particularly true for aprons, which help protect the staff uniform underneath from spills and stains.

In this apron care guide, we'll take a closer look at how to care for your aprons, from wearing them to washing them. We'll provide tips for different types of materials, so whether you're using cotton, polyester, or another fabric, you'll know exactly how to keep your aprons looking their best.

Aprons That Care For You

Stock offers long-lasting, durable aprons that are designed to withstand the rigors of everyday use in a hospitality setting. This includes customizable cotton and polyester aprons that provide a professional look and feel, while making your brand stand out. Plus, all of our aprons come with easy-care instructions to ensure they stay looking good as new.

For more advice on how to care for your aprons, read on. We cover everything from pre-washing tips to storing and laundering instructions.

Aprons: Making A Hospitality Staple Last For Years

Aprons have been a part of the hospitality industry for centuries. They are worn by restaurant, hotel, and bar staff to protect their uniforms from grease, spills, and stains. Today, they also form part of the overall look, adding style and professionalism to a staff uniform.

Aprons come in all shapes, sizes, fabrics, and colors – but no matter what type you choose, they must be taken care of to keep them looking their best.

Wearing Aprons: Round-the-Clock Care

Secure the apron

The first step in apron care is ensuring your staff wears them correctly. Generally, aprons should be tied securely around the waist, with the bib covering the front of the uniform. This will help to protect the uniform from spills and stains and will also ensure that the apron stays in place during work. Waist aprons should also be tied securely around the waist, with the ends tucked underneath for added security.

Tying aprons is an art; here's a simple guide for your staff:

Cross the straps behind your back and bring them around to the front.
Tie the straps in a double knot at the waist.
Ensure the bib is centered in front and the straps are long enough to tie securely.
Check that the straps are not too tight or too loose.
Tuck any excess fabric underneath to keep the apron in place.

For cross-back aprons, the straps should be crossed in the back and tied securely at the waist.

Adjust regularly

During the day, your staff will be busy dealing with customers and working in the kitchen. This means they might forget to adjust their aprons as they move around – but doing so is essential. To avoid problems with the apron slipping off or becoming loose, staff should adjust the straps or ties regularly to ensure it fits properly.

Avoid contact with soiled hands or cleaning chemicals

They might also be tempted to wipe their hands on the apron. While this is understandable, it should be avoided as much as possible to protect the fabric from damage. This is especially true for aprons made from delicate fabrics, such as linen or cotton. Substances like grease, food, and drink can easily stain aprons if not wiped off immediately.

They might also be tempted to use their apron as a makeshift cleaning cloth when cleaning the restaurant. This is a no-no – aprons should never come into contact with chemicals, as it can cause irreparable damage to the fabric.

Washing Tips

Once your staff have finished their shift, it's time to take care of their aprons. The first step is to remove any excess dirt or debris from the apron.

Next, it's time to wash the apron. Different types of materials require different care, so it's important to read the care label before washing. But first, here are few pre-wash steps:

Always use cold water when pre-washing your aprons and don't use bleach or fabric softener, as these can damage the fabric.
Make sure to check all pockets and turn them inside out before washing, as food or other particles can get trapped in the pockets and cause staining.
Finally, make sure to close all zips and buttons before washing.

Washing different types of apron fabrics

Cotton: Cotton aprons can be machine washed in warm water with a mild detergent. Avoid using bleach, as this can weaken the fibers. Tumble dry on low heat, or hang to dry.

Polyester: Polyester aprons should also be machine washed in warm water, but with a gentle cycle. Use a mild detergent and avoid bleach. Hang to dry or tumble dry on low heat.

Leather: Leather aprons should be spot cleaned with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Do not immerse in water, as this can cause the leather to shrink or warp. Allow air dry away from heat sources.

Denim: Denim aprons can be machine washed in cold water with a mild detergent. Avoid using bleach, as this can cause fading. Tumble dry on low heat or hang to dry.

Material blends: Some aprons may be a mix of materials, such as cotton and polyester. In this case, checking the care label for washing instructions is best. Usually, it's best to hand wash or machine wash in cold water with a gentle cycle and mild detergent.

Unique materials: For aprons with unique materials like twill or linen, it's best to avoid machine washing altogether. Instead, they should be hand-washed and laid flat to dry.

After Washing

Once the apron is clean, it's important to store it properly to ensure that it stays in good condition. Hang the apron on a hook or hanger to dry, rather than folding it, as this can cause creases.

If the apron has any stains that didn't come out during washing, it's important to treat them before storing. Use a stain remover or a mixture of baking soda and water to scrub the stain gently. Allow to sit for a few minutes before washing again.

If your apron is made of a material that is prone to wrinkles, like cotton or linen, you can iron it on a low setting to smooth out any creases. Be sure to iron the apron while it is still slightly damp, as this will make it easier to remove wrinkles.

Twill Aprons

Our 7oz and 8.5oz twill aprons are constructed from a durable poly-cotton blend fabric that is designed to withstand daily use. These aprons have adjustable black straps for a custom fit and come in navy, green, charcoal, and khaki. These aprons are extremely long-lasting, but they require extra care when washing. Handwash is best, but if machine washing is necessary, use cold water and a gentle cycle.

Twill is also a material that can be prone to wrinkles, so follow the pre-wash step outlined above and iron your apron on a low setting while it is still slightly damp. This will help keep the fabric looking neat and wrinkle-free.

Canvas Aprons

Stock has 7oz regular canvas and 8.5oz waxed canvas aprons that are perfect for restaurant, bar, and café staff. These aprons feature dual hand pockets for convenient storage and are highly reliable for those who work in fast-paced settings.

Canvas can be machine washed in cold water with a gentle cycle and mild detergent, but avoid using bleach. If needed, hang to dry or tumble dry on low heat and iron on a low setting. Take note that a waxed canvas apron should not be machine-washed, as this can weaken the wax finish. Instead, spot clean with a damp, lint-free cotton cloth, soft bristle brush, and mild detergent.

Denim Aprons

A popular choice for restaurant and bar staff, Stock’s denim aprons are constructed from 100% cotton fabric that is designed to last. This apron is machine washable and should be tumble-dried on low heat. If needed, it can also be ironed on a low setting for a crisp, wrinkle-free look.

General Care Tips:

In addition to the specific care tips for different types of aprons, there are some general care tips that apply to all aprons:

Avoid using fabric softener, as it can cause the fabric to become less absorbent, which defeats the purpose of wearing an apron in the first place.
Never use hot water to wash aprons, as this can cause shrinkage and damage to the fabric.
Always make sure the apron is completely dry before storing it, as dampness can lead to mildew and mold growth.
Avoid storing aprons in direct sunlight or near heat sources, as this can cause the fabric to fade or become discolored.

In addition to these care tips, it's important to replace aprons when they become worn or damaged.

Caring For Stock’s Aprons

Caring for your staff's aprons is important, but at Stock, we also believe in caring for our customers. That's why all of our aprons are made with high-quality materials and come with a satisfaction guarantee.

We are also known for crafting personalized aprons that bring out the best in your brand. Our custom embroidery, woven labels, and printing services develop quality aprons that will have your staff looking their best on the job.