School dress ruined at school!

[DianaMitford]

As the title says. New dress, bought at the beginning of the summer term. 9yo DD, doing art today and black ink has soaked through her apron onto her dress. I washed it immediately she came home with Vanish and it's faded but it's ruined. I mean, she can still wear it but it's got black ink all down the front

My dilemma is that a new dress is £40 and there are no secondhand ones. Do I say anything to the school?? If so, what?!

Long time lurker, first time poster

My husband stained a grey jumper with black ink from a leaked ballpoint pen. I only noticed after it had been washed and dried.
Anyway, I managed to get it off by using nail polish remover on cotton buds. Put a tea towel under the front and worked on the stain from the back.
Other than that I also recommend the Stain Devils ink!!!
Good luck

Late to this but I absolutely agree that if the school are going to insist on such a stupidly expensive summer dress (is it made out of silk?? How can a cotton dress be that expensive?) then they have a duty of care to ensure that it doesn't even come near to getting ruined. Of course that would mean curtailing the children's activities in a ludicrous way but that's what happens when you (the school) are such snobs that a dress readily available in supermarkets isn't good enough.

DianaMitford
I just wish it had happened a couple of days later because she boards on Wednesdays and then it would have been their problem to sort out! Last week she had a nosebleed and because she was boarding they laundered and dried her dress overnight for her.

Have you asked the school for their advice on getting out the paint? Sounds like they might have had some practice. If not, they could give you details of the product, which may offer specific advice on removing it from fabrics - failing that, you could try the manufacturer.

Whiny voice "why would you spend £40 on a school dress" snivel snidey comment post "the worlds poor buy £3 ones in asda"

Ffs. Why does every fucking thread come down to rich and poor? Who gives an actual fuck unless you are so jealous and bitter you can't see someone asking for help?

Op. Try some more stain removal techniques mentioned. Vanish and a v hot wash if the dress is cotton. Your local dry cleaners might have some industrial stain removers you could try (you know while you pop in there to launder your furs and silks - rolls eyes so far back in my head)

Regardless REGARDLESS of cost it is still annoying. Good luck op.

who brought the non washable ink?

they are to blame

I would buy her a new dress, in a bigger size - she will need a new one eventually as at some point she will grow out of the stained one.

If it's independent She must only have max 3/4 weeks left anyway?

I'm amazed you've managed on just one dress all year tbh, well done!

00100001 the dress appears only to have managed a little more than half a term, as it's a summer dress and summer uniform would (I'm guessing?) only have started with the beginning of the summer term, end of April.

But still well done OP for keeping DD pristine in one dress for as long as you did !

Oh I wonder how I managed to read the opening sentence as "beginning of the year"

Oh! OP, i have the "solution".

Buy the new dress and then sell it to another parent for a reduced price for next summer?

So, whilst it's a pain, yes, it should maybe "cost" you £10-15 for the new dress if you can sell it on at £25-30 :)

and erm sorry f someone else suggested that already

OP - having seen the photo, it isn't a big deal. Do what you can to improve it to your standards but I probably wouldn't give a monkeys. I'd imagined a hideous black stain covering the whole of the front of the dress.

honestly the rubbing alcohol would get that out. sandwich the stained areas between some paper towel, be liberal with the alcohol and dab it until all as much of the black pigment comes out.
certainly not as dreadful as I imagined. work at it and the stain will lift

Op dd wears a similar design have to be bought from a certain online site etc.

All hers are like that and worse. She a nightmare, comes home covered in all sorts and has also ripped them and they have had to be repaired.

They don't cost quite as much as yours, but all the same very expensive. I now have a look in nearly new shop onsite as they tend to be half price or less.

I wouldn't dream of taking it up with the school though. We supply their aprons which they wear but she still seems to get ink and felt pen over her stuff. I rub in vanish and leave overnight. I don't think there's much you can do that you haven't already tried.

That's school for you, it's no big deal .
My 6 year old girl is a expert on wrecking her school shoes.
No matter what brand I buy after 6 weeks or so they are only fit for the bin.
I can't believe she's only had one summer dress for so long.
I know it's expensive, but you should of bought 2.
However £40 is way too much to pay, my daughters is only £20.
Saying that , in my opinion the school should provide aprons and full body suits if the uniform is that expensive to replace.
What school is it?
You should name and shame them if they expect parents to pay £40 for a dress and not provide a apron.

It's not schools fault though is it? Blimey ....she's 9 not 3.

How on earth you manage on one dress I have no clue.

It's the same as the winter uniform.
You have to buy 2 or more school shirts/blouses and at least 2 skirts/trousers.

I've just skimmed through this and scrolled back to see the photo:
www.mumsnet.com/uploads/talk/201606/large-159310-image1.jpg
It's no big deal.

I know I saw the photo and thought imagine complaining to school about that.

Tell your Dd to ask for an apron if they aren't given out, or supply one yourself.

Op dd did wear an apron - assuming that is ruined or is it black?

One dress all term seems means yes its exspensive but always good to have 3

Wash wear and spare - 2 at a minimum

Buy and sell on at a later date. Sure will be snatched off you if 2nd are like gold dust :)