Dress to Impress: Expert Tips for Storing & Caring for Quality Clothing
We all have that one piece of clothing that we love dearly. It could be a dress, a shirt, or even jeans; the point is, they’re special to us. Well, the truth is, quality clothing pieces can be expensive, so it’s only natural that you want them to remain in tip-top condition for as long as possible. But with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it can be hard to make sure your wardrobe is always looking its best. Luckily, there are some simple tips and tricks you can use to ensure your clothes stay looking great and last for years to come. Let’s go over a few easy ways to store and care for quality clothing pieces.
Washing Tips
The first step in caring for your clothes is understanding how they should be washed.
Check the Label for Washing Instruction
First thing first, check the label! Most quality items come with instructions on how they should be washed, so it’s important to follow these directions carefully. For items that require special care, like hand washing or dry cleaning, it pays off to do the extra work since this will help the item last longer and keep its shape better than if you were to machine wash or tumble dry it. You should also consider investing in a garment bag or piece of mesh fabric so that your clothes don’t get tangled together during the wash cycle.
Dos and Don’ts
In general, cold water washes are better than hot ones because they don’t risk shrinking or fading your garments. You may also want to consider using a gentle detergent specifically formulated for washing those materials so that your clothing doesn’t get damaged in the wash.
If you have many items that you cannot or do not want to dry clean, you should consider investing in a quality washing machine and/or dryer. High-efficiency machines like these help keep your clothes from getting damaged and can save you time by cleaning multiple items at once.
Another tip to always remember when washing clothes is to avoid mixing colors. Dark colors, especially black and dark blues, can bleed into lighter colors if they are washed together, ruining both items in the process.
Hang Up after Washing
Hanging up your clothing after washing can help preserve its shape and prevent wrinkles from forming. Plus, hanging up your clothes helps air them out naturally instead of relying on dryers which can cause shrinking and fading over time.
When hanging up your clothing after washing, make sure you use hangers with wide shoulders so that they don’t leave behind unsightly creases in your garments’ shoulders.
Some garments, for example, sweaters and delicates, should be laid flat to dry instead of hung up. This is especially important for delicate items like silk or velvet since hanging them can cause them to stretch out of shape or lose their texture.
Storing Tips
Storing your clothes correctly will help them maintain their shape and keep them from getting damaged over time.
Store away from Sunlight
When it comes to storing quality clothing pieces, sunlight is one of the biggest enemies you’ll face! Exposure to direct sunlight can cause fading and discoloration over time, so it’s best to store away from the windowsill or any other source of direct sunlight whenever possible.
If you need to store something near a window make sure that you cover it with cloth material to protect it from the sun’s rays. Additionally, make sure you keep any closets or drawers where you store garments well-ventilated so that mold won’t form due to moisture buildup over time.
Use the Right Hangers
Hangers should always fit the shape of the garment and be wide enough to support it without deforming it over time. Hang skirts on skirt hangers and shirts, jackets, and blazers on shirt/jacket hangers instead of using wire or plastic hangers which can leave behind permanent creases.
When you buy the items, chances are that the hangers they came with were specially chosen for that particular item, so it’s best to keep them around. If you can’t find the original hangers, use ones made of solid wood or metal which won’t stretch or deform over time.
Lastly, make sure that your hangers are all facing the same way in order to save space and keep your closet organized.
Organize Your Closet
Your closet should be a place of organization, where garments are either neatly hung or folded instead of thrown in a pile.
When storing items away in drawers or closets, make sure they are laid flat rather than hung up. This helps preserve their shape more effectively than hangers do unless you’re hanging up a suit jacket or other more structured garment.
Additionally, avoid overcrowding drawers or closets; each item should have enough space around it so that air can circulate properly which helps reduce wrinkles and odors. The last thing you want is for your clothes to look and smell like they’ve been in storage for years when you pull them out!
Finally, when storing seasonal pieces away until next year, try using vacuum seal bags which are airtight and protect against dust mites and other pests that could damage your clothes while they aren’t being worn.
Protect Your Clothes
Yes, your clothes need protection, too! Always use a fabric protector spray on your garments before wearing or storing them away to help repel dirt and moisture. These fabric protector sprays can also be used to protect your upholstered furniture if you have any in the house.
It’s also a good idea to keep your clothes away from moths, which can damage and even eat away at fabrics, by storing them away in mothballs or cedar blocks. Just remember, these products can cause staining and discoloration, so test them in an inconspicuous spot before treating the whole garment. Lavender sachets are also a great natural way to ward off moths without risking damage to your clothes and yet leave a pleasant scent behind.
Conclusion
Taking good care of your quality clothing pieces doesn’t have to be complicated. Remember to read labels carefully before washing any garment and don’t forget to use the right hangers, store away from direct sunlight, and keep your closet organized and protected from pests. With the right care and maintenance, you can ensure that your quality clothes are kept in top condition for years to come!
