Uniform upkeep  

Ironing of your uniform                                                                                                 

Okay, we all know the easiest way here - ask our Mothers! But its your responsibility, so here's how to iron your uniform!

It's simple. A plate of metal gets hot, place it on your garment and the creases disappear. Well, okay, not that simple - but almost.

Iron shirts with your iron set to medium - not hot as this can damage the material, and iron trousers on hot making sure you place a clean new cotton tea towel between your trousers and the iron.

Shirts

Shirts are easy to iron and take no time at all when you know how. If your shirt is dry, lightly spray it with water use a water sprayer available form garden stores set to produce a mist.

• Iron the inside of the collar
• Place one of the shoulders into the end of the ironing board so that the yoke lies along it and iron that.
• Take your shirt off the board and place one of the sides on so that the neck is at the end of the board.
• Place the back of the shirt on the board next (you will have to do this in two parts)
• Now place the other front panel on the board and iron that.
• Undo the epaulettes and iron them
• Now the hard part. Sleeves. Place the sleeve along the length of the ironing board. Use a good water sprayer and soak the crease - not too much though. Place the iron at the cuff end of the sleeve while pulling the crease to keep it tight. Press firmly on the iron and steadily move up to the shoulder end of the sleeve. Repeat for the other sleeve and you should have a perfect pair of creases.

Trousers

Take care ironing trousers as you can make the material shine if you don't follow this simple guide.

• Place front crease of one leg onto the ironing board.
• Pull both ends of the crease and make sure no material is ruflled up underneath.
• Spray the crease with your water sprayer or use the steam facility.
• Place a plain cotton tea towel over the crease and spray this too.
• Now place your iron on the cloth over the crease and press firmly, and slowly move the iron up to the crease taking care not to go off the cloth and onto your trousers. Repeat as many times as necessary to do the entire crease.
• repeat the process in the following order: next front crease, then rear creases.
• Make sure you don’t have “tram” lines once ironed.

The use of a cloth prevents shining of the material when the iron is placed directly on to the material. You end up with razor sharp creases with a shiny patch down one side which looks pretty daft.

Once you have ironed your trousers, you will need to keep the creases pin sharp. Use a purpose made trouser hanger - available from all good military surplus stores and hardware stores or you could try this essential tip:

Use a double clipped skirt hanger, clip your trousers in at the top, and they will hang straight.

 Skirts

To get the correct length, kneel on the floor, upright, ask another Cadet, or your Parent to pin the hem as it touches the floor, this is then the correct length. Do not turn up your skirt at the bottom with a huge hem, it will be noticed, and if you double the hem it is worse. Wash on a 40 degree or wool wash in the machine and don’t forget the fabric conditioner. When dry turn inside out and iron flat.

Belt

The belt is relatively easy to polish.  First remove the buckle by carefully rotating the bar on the back, with the teeth holding it onto the belt.  Now take some metal polish – e.g. – Brasso, using cotton wool rub over the surface.  After a short whole your belt should come to a high shine.  NB:  You frequently have to change your cotton wool as it soon goes black. Make sure you use a clean duster to polish afterwards. Do not attempt to wash the belt itself.

Jumper

This is probably the easiest to maintain.  All that is needed to keep it in good condition is an occasional iron or, if starts to get “fluffy” then give it a quick shave, not literally with foam and a razor but with a small pair of scissors.  Being careful not to cut the jumper, remove any sticking out fibres.  DO NOT CUT OFF THREADS - instead pull them through from the inside using a needle or pin. If the jumper needs washing use a 40 degree wash or wool wash in the machine, and don’t forget your fabric conditioner.

Brassard

To be worn on the upper right arm. Iron to sharp creases, roughly three finger lengthens from either side. Be careful not to iron over the top of the elastic as the imprint will show through the front of the brassard, spoiling the look.  Ensure there are no other creases.

Footwear

DMS Service style black shoes for males and females, polished. Male shoes to be bulled on the toe cap as well as all round. Boots should come above the ankle to be laced, be clean and polished.

Socks (for Trousers)

Should be black in colour

Tights (for skirts)

Pretty Polly "Barely Black" for females

DPM Jacket

Iron until flat.  Remember that it is DPM, so creases are hard to see. Nevertheless iron all pockets flat against the jacket and sew on any missing buttons.

DPM Trousers

Iron until flat.  Remember that it is DPM, so creases are hard to see.  Nevertheless, iron all pockets flat and sew on any missing buttons.

Shirt sleeve order is from 1st May - 30th September (as directed by the Squadron Commander)