The following instructions will assist each cadet in maintaining his or her Marine Corps uniform as well as the proper cleaning process for each uniform issued.

 

 

 

Camouflaged Utilities.

 

Care:

 

• This uniform is "wash and wear." Hang the uniform up immediately after drying.

• DO NOT USE BLEACH OR DRY CLEAN.

• Alterations of any kind are not permitted.

• The cover may be washed and dried provided it presents a neat appearance once it dries.

• The web belt with the buckle removed should be washed once a week and hung to dry.

• The buckle and tip should be shined with a dry, cotton cloth.

• The boots should be brushed to remove dust, dirt, and grime. DO NOT USE POLISH.

• All buttons except the top button will be buttoned at all times.

 

Service Uniform (Charlies).

 

Care:

 

• The khaki shirt, green trousers/slacks, cover, and green coat are DRY CLEAN ONLY at the cleaners. DO NOT use a product that advertises you may “dry clean in your washer and/or dryer.”

• Male shirts should have military creases placed in them from the cleaners.

• Female shirts should never have military creases placed in them.

• The web belt with the buckle removed should be washed, as needed, and hung to dry (DO NOT place in dryer due to shrinkage).

• The buckle and belt tip should be shined with a dry, cotton cloth.

• The shoes are low maintenance. They should be dusted off prior to each occasion of wear. Spray Lemon Pledge is an excellent product to apply to the shoe and then wiped off. Black Kiwi paste polish should be applied to the edge of the shoe and where the sole meets the shoe. A boot/shoe brush should then be used to buff the polish.

 

Dress Blue Uniform.

 

Care:

 

• The coat and trousers are DRY CLEAN ONLY.

• The web belt with the buckle removed should be washed, as needed, and hung to dry (DO NOT place in dryer due to shrinkage).

• The buckle and belt tip should be shined with a dry, cotton cloth.

• The waist plate for the white belt will be shined with a dry, cotton cloth.

• The shoes are low maintenance. They should be dusted off prior to each occasion of wear. Spray Lemon Pledge is an excellent product to apply to the shoe and then wiped off. Black Kiwi paste polish should be applied to the edge of the shoe and where the sole meets the shoe. A boot/shoe brush should then be used to buff the polish.

• The male and female covers and the white belt will be cleaned prior to wearing.  (See White Gear Below)

• The female white cover when not worn should be placed in its storage container to prevent damage. It should not be placed upside down as this crushes the material at the crown.

• The male white cover requires placing the cover back on the cover frame and allowing it to dry on the frame.  This prevents the cover from shrinking.

• The female vinyl cover should be cleaned with a mild water/alcohol solution.

 

White Gear.

 

Numerous articles from the Dress Blue Uniform are referred to as “White Gear,” and require special cleaning procedures. This gear includes the gloves, male cover, and white belt. Chlorine bleach should never be used on the white gear. Supplies required are one package of “RIT” color remover, one box of “Snowy Bleach,” and one bottle of “Wisk” detergent. The following cleaning procedures should be followed:

 

• NEVER DRY CLEAN.

• Dissolve the RIT in water.

• Soak the items in the solution for approximately one hour.

• Launder through one complete gentle cycle in warm water, cold rinse.

• Remove from the washer.

• To complete the process and for regular maintenance, add two cups of Snowy Bleach and ¼ cup of Wisk.

• Allow washer to fill with warm water and to agitate to ensure the bleach and detergent is thoroughly dissolved.

• Stop the washer, add the uniform items and allow them to soak for approximately one to two hours.

• Restart the washer and launder through the complete gentle cycle on warm wash and cold rinse.

• Drip-dry on wooden hanger, ensuring the hanger stem does not come into contact with the items and thus discolor them.

• The white gear may then be steam-ironed or professionally pressed.