How to Keep a Chef Coat White
Like the white coats of physicians and laboratory technicians, the classic white chef's coat was chosen for its symbolic value. Because it shows any dirt or soil immediately, it holds cooks to a high standard of personal cleanliness, which is clearly a good thing for people whose profession is cooking food for others. Of course, if you're the cook, keeping your jackets white is an ongoing concern. Does this Spark an idea?
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Protection
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One of the most important steps in keeping your chef's jacket white is to keep it from getting dirty in the first place. There are several ways to do this. One is to have several jackets, so each one gets worn only once between washes. A second technique is to spray each new jacket with a fabric protector to help prevent stains from setting. Although most cooks use a short apron tied around the waist, consider switching to a full-length bib apron, which helps protect the front of your jacket from splashes and splatters.
Quick Response
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If you find that you've splattered or stained your chef's jacket, taking fast action can minimize the damage. Water-based splatters such as broth or sauce can be scrubbed with a damp cloth and salt, which will help keep the pigment from setting on the fabric. Fat splatters need a small amount of soapy water to break up the fat molecules and wash them out. Commercial spot-treatment sticks and pens can also help, especially for greasy stains or troublesome splashes such as red wine. During your busiest service times, it's unlikely you'll have the opportunity to attend to your jacket.
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Laundry Pre-Treatments
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A variety of commercial products can help minimize the impact of a stain, if applied before you launder your jackets. Most are liquids or gels, applied to the stain as a spray or a fine stream. Their instructions usually call for the area to be moistened and then rubbed vigorously for the best cleaning action. A drop or two of conventional laundry detergent also can be applied to the spot in the same way. Some chefs pre-soak their jackets in a bleach solution, which also helps whiten and brighten the jacket. The pre-soak should be cool or barely warm to avoid setting the stains.
Laundering
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The final stage in cleaning your own jackets is laundering them. For removing most stains, except blood, hot water is best. Use the amount of soap called for on your detergent bottle, and monitor the load. When it has almost finished the initial wash, stop the machine. Add bleach according to the directions on your washer and allow the laundry to soak for 30 to 45 minutes. Return the machine to the beginning of its cycle, and allow it to wash and rinse as usual. Your jackets should be fresh and white again. If not, repeat the pre-soak and wash until the stains are gone.
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References
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