Individual Item Care Instructions:

Tunic:

• Do not glue the badges on (the glue will destroy the uniform for future use by leaving a residue).
• Do not use a sewing machine to sew on the badges (the stitches destroy the uniform when removing them for higher rank badges).
• When sewing on buttons and badges, use appropriate matching thread. When purchasing thread from a store, take the badge with you for a colour match.
• Wash the tunic in a washing machine on cold when it is dirty.
• Hang it on a hanger after you wear it to keep it wrinkle-free.
• If you need to iron the tunic, remember it is polyester and will melt if you use a high temperature, use the setting with two dots in its lowest position that still generates steam. It is best to have a barrier between the tunic and the iron, for example, a cotton cloth to absorb the excess heat. Use a polyester setting on the iron.
• Put your name in the tunic so you can tell which is yours when you remove it.

Pants:

• When ironing pants try to avoid double creases in the legs. These are known as train tracks.
• Hang pants after wearing to keep them wrinkle-free. Put the seams together so the creases are kept sharp.
• Do not iron on a high temperature, they are made of polyester and will melt destroying the pants. Use the setting with two dots in its lowest position that still generates steam.
• Use a barrier between the iron and the pant leg to protect the material from accidental scorching or burning.
• Do not use starch on pants. Starch will increase the chance of melting and leave a white residue.
• Wash pants in a washing machine on cold when required.
• When hemming the pants, do not cut the excess material. When a cadet outgrows pants the returned pants are reissued to someone else.
• Do not hem pants using a sewing machine. This leaves a permanent mark on the pant leg making them unusable once returned.
• Creases should be sharp.
• Creases in male pants go up the front centre of each leg and extend to the waist, inside the first belt-loops.
• Creases in female slacks go up the front centre of each leg and extend to the corner of the pocket. Rear creases extend up the centre of the pant leg and meet in the back at the waistband, forming a “V.”
• Your trousers/slacks should reach the point where the creases will be slightly broken on the top of the boots.

Shirt, T-shirt:

• Wash your shirt, t-shirt in a washing machine on cold after every wearing.
• Use a pre-wash on the collar and underarms to prevent stains (makeup and sweat is difficult to get out if not washed regularly and pre-treated).
• Iron your shirt before wearing – make sure to crease the sleeves (middle of sleeve on top and bottom). Use the setting with two dots in its lowest position that still generates steam.

Tie:

• Tie’s must be dry cleaned, so try to keep them as clean as you can.
• Iron you tie with an iron. Do not iron on a high temperature, or you may melt it. Use the setting with two dots in its lowest position that still generates steam.
• You will be taught how to tie your tie by a senior cadet if you do not know how or you may lookup our instructions on ties.

Wedge:

• Your wedge must be dry cleaned, so try to keep them as clean as you can.
• Keep you wedge lint and dirt free (keep it away from pet hair).
• Put your name in it.

All-season Jacket (Parka):

• Mmust be dry cleaned, so try to keep it as clean as you can..
• Do NOT iron your all-season jacket, hang it up while it is still warm coming from the dryer.

Socks:

• Wash your socks after every wearing. Machine wash in cold water along with the other washable items of clothing.

Boots:

• Store boots in a safe place where they will not get knocked around.
• Cover them when not in use (many cadets use their polishing cloth for this).
• Clean off all dirt from your boots before polishing. Use warm (not hot) water with a cloth to get off mud. Use a small brush to clean dirt in the area between the boot and the sole.
• Kiwi polish is the best brand of polish to use for polishing boots, this polish along with Kiwi polishing cloths will produce the best shine. Liquid shine types will not give you the sort of shine you are looking for.
• Spend time on your boots every week (while watching TV is a good time to polish boots).
• It takes time to bring up a good shine on a new pair of boots, but with regular attention, the shine will come.
• Deep shines come from lots of very thin coats of polish and the method used to bring out that shine; which is to use a small drop of water on a polishing cloth with a small amount of polish and wipe in tiny circles. What you are in fact doing is “wet-sanding” with a polishing cloth. Be careful when near edges of the leather and stitching, if these two areas get too wet, you will find the polish will “ball” and it will then scratch instead of polish and your hard work will be ruined. If this happens, allow that area to dry and move to a different area. It is best to do a little bit at a time across  the entire boot, and not just 1 whole section at a time.
• If you need guidance on polishing boots, ask a senior cadet or look for our site’s instructions.
• Put your name in them to prevent losing your boots.