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James Martin Warrior Band

4501 West Pleasant Ridge Road, Arlington TX 76016

(682) 867-8672

James Martin High School Marching Uniform Laundering

All garments are washable, unless otherwise stated.  However, this does not mean that careful care and repair are not necessary.

Jacket, red shirt, and bib pants FIRST WASH:

We are on year 4 of these uniforms, which means most of you are using a uniform that was worn before. If your uniform had a sticker on the mirror when it was given to you, that means that you are the first person to use that uniform. If this applies to you, follow these instructions: 

  • As a precaution, color can be set and bleeding prevented by soaking multi colored garments in salt water (1/4 to 1/2 cup per wash load depending on load size) or white vinegar water the FIRST time the garments are washed. This means, DON’T USE DETERGENT THE FIRST TIME YOU WASH THE UNIFORM. You can also use Carbona’s “Dye Magnet.”  This product which may be found at most drug stores, fabric centers, and supermarkets picks up any excess color.  Follow manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Remove the mirror from the jacket before washing
  • Wash the jacket, red shirt, and pants separately.
  • Cold water wash only, gentle cycle
  • No liquid fabric softener.
  • If discoloration should occur, Carbona’s “Color Run Remover” or Rit Dye’s “Rit Fabric Treatment Color Remover” will help remove migrating color. After using one of these products, wash the garment again and this generally will remedy the problem.

Jacket, red shirt, and bib pants washes AFTER the first wash

Follow these instructions after the first wash.

  • Remove the mirror from the jacket before washing
  • Wash the jacket separately from the pants.
  • Cold water wash only, gentle cycle.
  • NO liquid fabric softener, but a static/fabric softener sheet is okay in the dryer.
  • If a stain does occur, sponge with water or treat with an appropriate product before it has time to set and before laundering. You may use “Spray and Wash” and other non-chlorine stain removers when washing.  
  • Use only non-chlorine detergent (clear and free detergents are preferred, but not necessary.
  • Many detergents are harsh and have a bleaching ingredient that will cause even colorfast fabric to migrate.
  • Dry garments on a cool setting, and dry completely before storing.
  • Fold back extended shoulders or wings onto the shoulder during washing and drying.  Also do this when transporting uniforms.  Folding allows them to hold their shape much better.

Washing garments or pieces with VELCRO:

  • Make certain the hook side of the Velcro is not exposed when laundering uniforms to avoid a ‘picking’ of the fabric.  If a jacket has both the hook (hard side) and loop (soft side) of Velcro, hook pieces together evenly so the hook side is not exposed.

Washing the white insert, hat wrap, and gauntlets:

  • Hand wash the white insert, hat wrap, and gauntlets made from specialty or unique fabrics (i.e. sequin, luster chrome, luster brass, etc.).  These must be hand-washed in cool water then towel dried to remove excess water.  They should lie flat to dry.  Wash sequin as little as possible and always wash in cold water.
  • Wash ploy gabardine baldrics and gauntlets on a gentle cycle and dry on a permanent press setting in a dryer observing all laundering instructions previously provided for this fabric type. Make sure to hook the Velcro closure together when laundering in a machine to avoid picking of fabric.

Care of White Shirt

  • Sequin fabrics require high maintenance by all personnel.
  • Do not under any circumstances ever iron any of the sequin, metallic dot, mylar, or laminated fabrics.
  • DO NOT pull loose threads or sequins from sequined fabrics.  The entire row of sequins could come loose.  Sew loose threads and sequins to the backing.
  • Hand wash only with light detergent
  • Dry on no/low heat
  • Hang immediately after drying

Quick Reference Stain Guide

REMEMBER – Washable uniforms, like all clothes, can get stained.  It is important to remove the stain as soon as possible.  This list is enclosed to help you with difficult and unusual types of stains.

BLOT STAINS WITH WATER, SOLVENTS, AND CLEANING AGENTS!  Do not rub!

PRE TREAT STAINS BEFORE WASHING (apply stain treatment and scrub with a toothbrush or other like tool before the item is placed in the washing machine.

  1. Use regular laundry detergent (without chlorine or reads safe for colors)
  2. “Lestoil” – will take out most stains
  3. “Simple Green” – For hard to remove grass stains or dirt rings on collars and sleeves.  (This product is found in automotive department) We prefer the spray type.
  4. “Carbona” – Has a variety of removers called “Stain Devils”.  Listed below are the different removers.

“Stain Devil” – Make Up and Grass Remover

“Stain Devil” – Blood and Milk Remover

“Stain Devil” – Coffee, Tea and Cola Remover

“Stain Devil” – Chewing Gum and Glue Remover

“Stain Devil” – Ink and Crayon Remover

  1. “Whink” – For removing rust stains
  2. Make sure that percussion harnesses/carriers are padded with foam or other cushion-like material.  This will help prevent the metal carriers and bolts from damaging the jacket.  We do not guarantee our uniforms on damage done from percussion harnesses.
  3. Aerosol hair spray or rubbing alcohol will remove ballpoint ink stain.
  4. Waterless hand cleaner like those used in the garage or automotive environments can be used as a pre-treat for grease, oil, tar, or paint.  This product dissolves the oil-base stain before it is set in.  However, this must be used BEFORE ANY WATERBASE treatment.