Prudent Parents Embrace Pre-loved School Uniforms

Nearly half of parents will buy second hand uniform this back to school season. The average parents spends a huge £145 on school uniform a year. Mums and dads looking to save amid the cost of living crisis while buying sustainably

Nearly half of parents (45%) will buy pre-loved uniform this year as prudent parents look to make vital savings amid the ongoing cost of living crisis, according to new research.

The nationwide study1 from cleaning and laundry expert, Dr. Beckmann, revealed that the average UK caregiver spends a whopping £145 on school uniform a year – equating to a huge £1,740 spent during a child’s time at school.

As a result, an increasing amount of parents are struggling to cope with the cost of buying uniform, with more than four in ten (44%) saying they will struggle to afford it this year.

Consequently, growing numbers are now opting to buy pre-loved school uniform over new, more expensive uniform, with sustainable living also cited as a reason for buying second hand.

The data shows more than six in ten parents (61%) buy second hand because it saves money, 55% say the pre-loved uniform they buy is still in good condition (55%), while 42% do so to reduce waste.

According to experts, buying second-hand is both financially savvy and a positive step in the right direction towards sustainable living.

By purchasing pre-loved, mums dads, and guardians can reduce expenses amid the ongoing cost of living crisis and reduce demand for the unnecessary production of new clothing.

According to the nationwide survey, younger parents purchase hand-me-down uniform more than people in any other age group, with almost half (49%) aged 18-25 saying their child has worn pre-loved uniform before.

Elsewhere, the Dr. Beckmann study found the average child goes through five school shirts a year, with children in Southampton getting through seven shirts a year.

As a result, some parents choose not to restore uniform, with one in nine (11%) opting to throw away the dirty uniform rather than washing the stain away, while one in eleven (9%) simply leave the stain on the uniform.

Regionally, stains cause people from Birmingham to throw away more uniform than anywhere else, with over one in three (34%) there opting to throw away clothing rather than clean it – leading to higher uniform costs.

When it comes to uniform stains, pen ink (41%) is the most common, the study shows, followed by markers (34%) and paint (32%). Elsewhere, stains such as ketchup (23%) and yoghurt (17%) fill the top ten.

TOP TEN MOST COMMON STAINS FOUND ON SCHOOL UNIFORM

Ink – 41%

Marker – 34%

Paint – 32%

Chocolate – 28%

Grass – 26%

Mud – 24%

Ketchup – 23%

Crayon – 22%

Juice – 19%

Yoghurt – 17%

In the UK, Southampton locals struggle the most to afford their child’s school uniform (74%), with seven in ten (70%) saying their child has worn second-hand school uniform, more than those in any other area.

Natasha Brook, Dr. Beckmann spokesperson, said: “As costs continue to rise, it’s no surprise to see more parents buying pre-loved, which is essentially the same product with just a few more miles on the clock.

“We’re encouraging consumers to wear more and waste less, especially as parents look to repurchase their children’s school uniform ready for the new term. Through using Dr. Beckmann products, people can make the most out of their child’s school uniform, so it doesn’t just last for a term, but for a year and then onto the next child to enjoy.

“Rather than throwing away stained clothes, you can treat the blemish with our Power Brush Stan Remover product, which is tough on stains yet gentle on fabrics. The household essential works fast to remove stains in 10-15 minutes with the help of a unique soft brush applicator allowing the product to move deep into the fibers of the fabric, treating the mark before putting on a standard wash cycle.

“And that’s not all as our full In-Wash range are the go-to solutions to help prolong Brits’ wardrobes, as each product works to combat tough stains, revitalise garments and give clothes a new lease of life. Our specialised laundry whitener, Glowhite, is perfect for those discoloured and greying school shirts too!”

Dr. Beckmann’s In-Wash range consists of the laundry whitening range Glowhite, Power Brush Stain Remover and the Re-usable Colour Collector Cloth/Sheets. All products are available from a wide range of retailers and online via Amazon and Dr. Beckmann’s website: https://www.dr-beckmann.co.uk/

The cleaning brand is urging those who are looking to dispose of outgrown school uniform to head to a local clothes bank, school uniform donation scheme or to charity Save the Children to ensure these items don’t end up in landfill allowing them to be replenished, renewed and re-worn.

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