Let’s Talk School Blazers (Yes, You Can Wash Them at Home)

As we head into another big school year, it’s time to have a very important conversation: school blazers.

They’re worn almost every day, shoved into lockers, dragged through assemblies, sat on at lunch and somehow always come home smelling like… teenager. And while blazers often get treated as “dry clean only”, here’s the good news from a dry cleaner: most school blazers can absolutely be cared for at home.

We see blazers come into our store constantly, usually with a very urgent request — “Can I please have this back by tomorrow for the school concert / presentation / awards night?” The truth is, with the right care, many of these last-minute panics can be avoided altogether.

Start by checking the care label. Most school blazers are made from durable, practical fabrics like cotton, polyester or wool blends. These materials are designed to handle regular wear — and yes, a gentle wash.

For stubborn smells, especially around the underarms and collar, spray Truly generously and let it sit for about an hour before washing. This gives the formula time to break down odour at the source. Then wash using your everyday laundry detergent on a cold, gentle cycle.

Once washed, skip the dryer if time allows it, however if needed use the dryer for an hour maximum, not the full drying cycle and hang dry for the rest of the time. Reshape the blazer while damp and hang it on a plastic coat hanger (wooden hangers can transfer dye) in a shaded area to air-dry. Finish with a good steam, and your blazer is ready for another week of wear.

Fresh blazer, fresh start — and one less thing to stress about this school year.