School sports days can be as fun as they are messy, as parents are likely to find grass and mud stains an even more frequent and frustrating problem now.

An expert shared three easy steps for parents to effectively tackle mud, grass, and sweat stains, helping them avoid the expense of buying new kits.

Alex Econs, founder of garment printing company ICON Printing, explained that just using a vinegar-based mixture will easily resolve all these laundry problems.

He said: “The majority of gym kit stains can be easily tackled with common household items, especially stains on white polo t-shirts.”

“For grass and mud stains, try a natural vinegar-based solution. Not only is this method gentle on the garment, but as vinegar is less toxic than bleach, it’s more eco-friendly too.

“To make the solution at home, mix 1/2 tsp of washing powder with 1/4 cup of white vinegar and 1/4 cup of cool water.

“Apply this directly to stains, lightly brushing it into any affected areas before rinsing with cold water.”

However, some stains can be more persistent, so a second round of treatment might be needed – and this step is just as easy.

Alex added: “For tougher stains, mix baking soda with a small amount of water until you have a thick paste-like consistency.

“Use an old toothbrush or cloth to gently work this into the stain. Let the paste sit for half an hour before rinsing with cold water.”

And if your child’s polo shirts or sweatshirts are starting to smell less than fresh, you can use baking soda to absorb odours overnight.

The expert concluded: “Baking soda is a natural deodoriser and can help to eliminate unwanted smells from clothing

“Fill a small pouch of baking soda (or even leave out an open box) near the uniform overnight for a natural refresh.”