Military Creases and Ironing

When the dress uniforms are pressed, make sure the uniforms are INSIDE OUT so that the creases are inverted when you put it on.

 Below is a graphic representation and instructions of how the enlisted uniform is folded and ironed. Although the uniform depicted is the dress whites, the dress blues are folded and ironed exactly the same way.

Remember: The jumper and trousers (whites and blues only) are NEVER creased from the outside. ALWAYS turn the jumper and trousers wrong-side out as shown below.

When ironing dress whites use a damp piece of sheet between the hot iron and the fabric as the synthetic fabric will melt or discolor if the iron is too hot. The damp cloth also helps set a sharp crease.

When ironing is completed and you turn the uniform right-side out and you should see that all creases EXCEPT the front middle crease and the three creases on the collar flap are turned inward, not out outward.

NOTE: Male Dress Blues are done the same way.  Females do not wear the dress blue jumper and trousers. 

How to Clean Your Uniform

Navy Working Uniform (NWU) can be washed and dried in a normal washing machine.  Do not use starch or bleach as they degrade the stain resistant fabric.

Dress Whites should be washed inside out in a normal washing machine.  Bleach or oxygen based whitening products can be used to remove stains and restore bright white color.

Dress Blues MUST be professionally dry-cleaned.  Never wash your dress blues in a washing machine.
Do not let the dry cleaners press your uniform.  They will press it in incorrectly.

How to Fold and Tie Your Neckerchief

Boot and Shoe Shine

The quality of a sailor is often measured by how much time, effort and care he/she expends on their boots.

Here's how to apply that high-gloss spit shine:

1. Spread a medium-thick layer of paste polish over the portion of the boot to be spit shined.
2. Allow it to dry for 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Wrap a soft, clean cloth around your index finger so that it is smooth (no wrinkles). Alternately, you can use a cotton ball. Dip your finger or the cotton ball into a container of water. The cloth/cotton should be wet, but not dripping.
4. Buff the dried polish (using a circular motion) with the wet cloth/cotton ball, until the wax starts to become shiny.
5. Still using the damp rag on your finger, apply a fine layer of polish in a circular motion and keep on rubbing lightly until a hazy shine develops.
6. Using the (now) damp cloth, or cotton ball, keep applying THIN coats of wax, buffing them with a small circular motion.
7. When the boot is highly glossed, use a clean dry soft cloth or a shining brush to give it a final buff.

Tips:

1. The reason to use a wet cloth is to stop the fine coats of polish sticking to the cloth and to encourage the polish to stick to the leather.
2. You want to keep on building up thin layers of wax until you have a completely smooth surface that gives the glossy shine.
3. After the first heavy coat of polish you must use small amounts of polish to build up the shine. If you use too much polish, it will dissolve the base you have already built up.
4. T-shirts work well for the cloth material, as do cloth diapers.

What You Need:
• Shoe Polish (for best results, use Kiwi Parade Gloss)
• Cloth
• Water

Rolling Your Sleeves

The sleeves of the Navy Working Uniforms (NWUs) may be rolled up during times of warm weather.

For the NWU, the sleeves will be rolled with the inside out, with the cuff folded over, forming a roll approx. 3 inches wide, and terminating at a point approx. 2 inches above the elbow.

1. Lay the uniform on a flat surface, face up and sleeves extended out, with the button at the end of the sleeve unbuttoned.
2. Flip the sleeves inside-out by folding the cuffs of the sleeve up towards the armpit area. Pull it up until it almost touches the inside seam of the armpit region.
3. Roll the bottoms of the inside-out sleeves in three inch rolls upwards until you reach the cuffs.
4. Fold the end of the cuff down over the rolled portion of the sleeve.
5. Secure the button and flap. Repeat on opposite sleeve.

​An Official PDF version of the instructions can be found on Homeport.