• [Dailystar Icon]
• News
• UK News
• School uniforms

Uniform damage costs parents 81, with extra laundry adding to energy bills

School uniforms go through constant wear and tear from mysterious damage as parents struggle to keep their kids looking presentable, a new study reveals.

[Woman fastening daughters school cardigan in hallway]

Parents are constantly making sure their kids are presentable(Image: Getty Images)

A recent study has revealed that the typical school uniform will get ripped four times, lose five buttons and go through 25 stubborn stains in just one year, according to a new study. The survey of 1,000 parents with school-aged children also found that four zips on their school uniforms are likely to break within the same period.

On a weekly basis, children typically return home twice with mud-splattered trousers after lively playground antics. Moreover, over half (52 per cent) come back several times a week, if not daily, sporting food stains on their white shirts.

Parents are often left baffled by the number of grass stains their children accumulate while playing with friends. Adding to the mystery, more than half (55 per cent) of children come home with unexplained damage to their uniforms at least a few times a month.

As a result, nine per cent of parents find themselves doing laundry every day to ensure their children have clean uniforms.

[Dirty white shirt]

Parents are baffled by how their children's clothes get so dirty(Image: Getty Images)

A spokesperson for Utilita, which commissioned the research and revealed the cost of uniform washing behaviours using their Power Price List, said: "Parents battling with uniforms is a tale as old as time and so is the unstoppable spirit of the average schoolkid.

"Children shouldn't have to restrain their natural energy and curiosity but nor should this have to break your back or bank getting them clean. Being smart about your energy usage is not only good for your wallet and the planet it can be quicker and easier too."

On average, parents will dedicate 48 minutes of their valuable time each month to mend and clean vandalised items. This is in addition to shelling out 81 annually to replace uniforms that are damaged beyond repair.

A single stain sees 51 per cent of parents opting for a quick sponge clean. However, if there's more than one stain, 46 per cent will throw the item straight into the washing machine.

[Schoolgirl putting on school satchel in kitchen]

Some now rely on handwashing(Image: Getty Images)

According to data from OnePoll.com, this method is favoured by 57 per cent of parents as it saves time. Yet, if it meant lower energy bills, 66 per cent would be more inclined to switch to exclusively sponge cleaning.

Indeed, 38 per cent believe their bills would be significantly lower if they didn't have to wash their children's school clothes so frequently

Utilita's spokesperson added: "According to our Power Price List, it costs around 20p per washing cycle and 50p per tumble dryer cycle. On average, households said they do 2.9 uniform washes each week, amounting to 21 over the year for washing and another 52 if using a tumble dryer that's not even including the detergent.

"Through sponge cleaning individual items rather than chucking them in the washing machine, you can really start to save. While it may seem like an extra task a quick five minutes of dabbing here and there will also probably be quicker than loading and unloading an entire wash every time.

"So, next time you child comes home with stains they can't explain, don't hesitate to rely on your humble kitchen sponge it's more than up to the task."

[Dailystar Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.