How to Choose the Right Heavy Duty Apron for Your Job

Heavy duty aprons are garments generally used for protection and hygienic purposes, but it can also have a symbolic meaning or simply be decorative. Aside from being versatile, work aprons are also very efficient in a range of environments; in a busy kitchen, aprons help keep the staff clean and protected; in an industrial environment, aprons help to protect workers dealing with dangerous materials.

When it comes to choosing a heavy duty apron, there are several factors to consider. From different styles and colours to different types of fabrics, all these aspects can impact the effectiveness of the apron.

Style

Work aprons come in a variety of styles including waist aprons, bistro aprons, bib aprons, and cobbler aprons.

Waist aprons – very comfortable to wear, they are a common choice for wait staff who move around all day long.
Bistro aprons – ideal for staff who need to serve customers in a restaurant environment. Models with pocket configurations provide a functional and comfortable fit.
Bib aprons – available in various lengths, they give workers a clean and tidy appearance, which is essential when working with customers. Because they are available in longer lengths than normal aprons, they are ideal to protect most of your clothing. Bib aprons are often used by professional chefs who want to look professional without compromising functionality.
Cobbler aprons – they offer extra functionality by protecting your clothing at the front and back. These aprons are often used in hospitals, daycare centres, industrial applications, art and craft shops. Very comfortable to wear, you can adjust them on both sides.

When it comes to choosing the best heavy duty apron style to fit your staff needs, it is necessary to consider the environment or industry you are working in. If you just want your wait staff to look good and be comfortable, waist aprons are the choice for you. But if you need your employees to cover their clothing as much as possible, cobbler aprons are the way to go.

Colour

While there are many different colours to choose from, black work aprons are the most popular. Elegant, versatile, neutral, and sleek, blackwork aprons fit almost any setting. According to experts, they are considered one of the most convenient aprons available and can complement any outfit in any working environment. But this doesn't mean you need to get stuck with this colour. For example, you can use more than one colour to easily identify different teams in your kitchen. For example, one colour can be designated for use in the dishwashing area only while another colour can be designated for preparing ingredients.

Material

The most common types of material used to make work aprons are cotton and cotton canvas, but you will also find aprons made from poly-cotton blends or from water-resistant polypropylene. Cotton and cotton canvas materials offer great comfort and protection. Polypropylene, on the other hand, doesn't have the same elegance or refinement as cotton or cotton canvas, but it is a great choice for casual and industrial conditions.

Accessories

Some heavy-duty aprons come with pockets, which can be extremely useful for storing items. Pockets allow users to keep handy a sponge or washcloth, enabling them to clean the kitchen counters or wipe vessels before serving, or even to keep oven mitts. You can also add some customization by embroidering your company logo on the aprons. More than benefiting your brand image this can also help customers to instantly notice who is working for you.

Maintenance

You probably don't want aprons that need to be washed after every single time they are used. Instead, you want something that will resist stains. Heavy-duty aprons are made to resist common cooking stains like grease and oils, acids, or wine. Most can be thrown into the washer on a regular basis to come clean. There are even aprons that come with heavy layers designed to protect from harsh chemicals - a great thing when employees are working with something that can burn through their skin.

Price

You've probably heard the old saying 'you get what you pay for', and in the case of aprons, it is definitely true. But this doesn't mean you should buy the most expensive apron you can find - it may be much more for what you actually need. However, if you buy the cheapest piece you can find without considering features, chances are that you will end up replacing it very quickly, not to mention that it may not meet the requirements of your specific task. So, make sure to determine the exact specifications and features you need, then look through a selection of aprons that meet those needs.

When choosing aprons for your staff, take a minute to determine the functionality you need. It might be a good idea to ask your staff what they think as well. Together you will be able to decide what is needed to be more efficient and comfortable as well.