Changing Market: Uniforms and Workwear (Part 2)

CHICAGO — Uniforms and workwear used to be mostly a matter of function.

Companies provided uniforms to employees for protection and to fulfill industry regulations. The materials used and styles available were standard, making it easy for industrial laundries to provide for their customers. In the past decade, almost everything has changed.

Companies use uniforms and workwear for branding, culture and more. Materials and styles have modernized and become more individualized.

And all of these market transitions mean industrial laundries have had to update their processes as well.

American Laundry News communicated with three uniform/workwear providers to explore these market shifts and what operators need to know.

From Alsco Uniforms, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Ryan Mathews, senior national sales manager, and Trish Leishman, senior marketing and sales operations manager, teamed to provide expert commentary.

Rodrigo Patron is operations director for Lace House Linen in Petaluma, Calif.

And for King of Prussia, Pa.-based healthcare laundry specialist ImageFIRST, Chief Commercial Officer Dave Hilderbrand served as spokesperson.

What unique elements do customers request for uniforms/workwear?

MATHEWS and LEISHMAN: Customer requests have become far more sophisticated. Today’s buyers aren’t just ordering garments; they’re curating an experience that connects their people, brand, and customers.

Common themes across North America include:

Customization and identity. Specific color palettes, logo placements and garment designs that align with brand visuals.
Comfort and performance. Moisture-wicking, stretch, temperature regulation and lightweight durability are now standard.
Sustainability. Customers expect eco-friendly materials, reduced water usage and responsible sourcing.

In healthcare, antimicrobial and soft-touch fabrics are essential. In food service, stain resistance and breathability dominate. In industrial markets, high-visibility garments are being redesigned for comfort and style.

Uniforms today are part of a company’s employer brand, a statement about professionalism, pride, and purpose.

PATRON: Customization is huge — embroidered names, company colors and better fits.

Functionality is another big one: stretch fabrics, moisture-wicking materials and lightweight designs. Everyone loves pockets, but too many can be a headache for laundries. One forgotten pen or Sharpie can ruin a whole wash load, so we always try to balance function with practicality.

How have the materials used changed? Why?

PATRON: It seems like they’ve moved toward performance blends and technical fabrics — they’re more durable, flexible and comfortable.

At the same time, there’s growing pressure to move away from PFAS and other harmful chemicals. The focus now is on making materials that perform well but are also safer and more sustainable.

MATHEWS and LEISHMAN: Uniform materials have advanced more in the past decade than in the previous 50. The industry has moved decisively from heavy cotton and rigid blends toward performance-engineered fabrics that emphasize comfort, sustainability and durability.

This evolution is evident in every market we serve. Customers want garments that perform like athletic wear but withstand industrial laundering.

In industrial and food processing, Oilblok and Mimix™ from Red Kap® have redefined performance. Oilblok’s stain-release technology keeps garments clean longer, while Mimix integrates flex panels for improved movement and comfort. In healthcare, Medline’s EverWear scrub line delivers exceptional softness and color retention through hundreds of wash cycles.

Underlying this shift are three drivers:

Textile innovation has created fabrics that breathe, resist stains and retain shape.
Sustainability is now standard, with recycled fibers and low-impact dyes.
Worker comfort directly influences productivity and retention.

The future of uniform textiles lies in high-performance sustainability, fabrics that extend garment life, reduce waste, and keep employees comfortable and confident.

What challenges do new styles, different materials and customer requests present for laundering?

HILDERBRAND: Performance fabrics and finishes require precision in laundering to ensure both cleanliness standards are met and quality isn’t compromised. Some fabrics can lose integrity or color if exposed to improper wash chemistry or temperatures.

Our validated wash formulas, controlled water temperatures, and bright white or color standards ensure scrubs and lab coats remain both hygienically clean and in excellent condition throughout their life cycle.

MATHEWS and LEISHMAN: Advancements in uniform materials have improved comfort and appearance but have also made laundering far more complex. What was once a predictable cotton-poly process is now a careful balance of chemistry, temperature and mechanical control.

We’ve met these challenges through innovation and collaboration:

Fabric complexity. Each new blend requires customized wash parameters. What works for Red Kap’s Mimix might damage Medline’s EverWear.
Garment diversity. Plants now process dozens of SKUs, each needing unique care.
Sustainability pressure. Customers expect greener practices without compromising hygiene.

Our solutions include:

Water reclamation systems that recycle and reuse process water while maintaining quality.
Collaborative wash-formula design with WSI and garment manufacturers to optimize chemistry and temperature for each product.
RFID tracking technology that monitors garment life, washing frequency, and replacement timing, improving transparency and reducing loss.

Modern laundering is now a precision operation where data, chemistry and technology converge to protect both the garment and the brand.

PATRON: Performance fabrics can be sensitive to heat and chemicals, so we’ve had to fine-tune our wash formulas and temperatures. It’s all about cleaning thoroughly while preserving the fabric’s look and feel.

Check back Thursday for the conclusion about process changes and predictions for the future of the market.

Click HERE to read part 1, examining the evolution of uniform/workwear usage and styles over past decade.