Proper Clothing Care
Protect the items you’ve collected
Building a quality wardrobe requires both time and financial investment. Therefore, it’s important to take good care of the items you’ve acquired. Thoughtful maintenance not only prolongs the lifespan of your garments but also ensures they look their best every time you wear them. Here are some tips for proper clothing care that will keep your wardrobe in excellent condition.
Protect the items you’ve collected
Building a quality wardrobe requires both time and financial investment. Therefore, it’s important to take good care of the items you’ve acquired. Thoughtful maintenance not only prolongs the lifespan of your garments but also ensures they look their best every time you wear them. Here are some tips for proper clothing care that will keep your wardrobe in excellent condition.
Store items properly
Take the time to store your garments, shoes, and handbags with care. Neatly fold or hang clothing and carefully place each item into your closet to prevent wrinkles during storage. Fold sweaters, as they can stretch if hung. Hang coats, blazers, dresses, blouses, pants, and skirts to maintain their shape, replacing flimsy dry-cleaning hangers with durable ones. Heavier items, like wool coats, should be placed on extra-sturdy hangers to prevent them from warping the hanger and misshaping the coat. For special or rarely worn items, use breathable garment bags to protect them from dust and moths. Avoid storing clothing in plastic bags, as they can trap moisture and cause mildew.
Store shoes in dust bags or boxes to protect them from dust. Boxes also help prevent them from getting squished and misshapen if you need to stack them. I use these clear boxes from The Container Store to store my shoes [linked here]. I like that I can easily see my shoes in the boxes and find the boxes to be much sturdier than the ones shoes come in. These clear boxes come in varied sizes for heels or boots.
To maintain the shape of your handbags, stuff them with acid-free tissue paper or bubble wrap. Place them on a shelf rather than hanging them to prevent their handles from bending.
Rotate your wardrobe seasonally
As the seasons change, reorganize your closet to ensure that less frequently used items are stored in the harder-to-reach sections, while easily accessible space is prioritized for items you use most often. This way, you avoid unnecessary contact with clothes you’re not currently wearing, preventing wrinkling and soiling them.
Clean and store off-season clothing properly. Before storing, make sure all items are clean and fully dry to prevent mildew. Use mothballs, lavender sachets, or breathable garment bags to keep pests away. When bringing clothes out of storage, give them a fresh wash or steam to remove any storage odors.
Don’t over wash your clothes
Speaking of cleaning your clothing, it can be tempting to take your clothing off and toss it into your hamper or the pile for the dry cleaner; however, not all clothing needs to be laundered after every wear. Washing denim too often can cause it to lose its shape and color, so consider wearing your jeans several times before washing them. Air them out between wears and wash them inside out to preserve their color. Likewise, items that you would take to the cleaners like coats, dresses, and pants can usually be worn a few times between each cleaning. Use a handheld steamer to refresh them and remove wrinkles so that they feel crisp between professional cleanings.
Address stains immediately
If an item has a stain, however, that should be tackled as soon as possible after it occurs. Items that can be machine washed should be treated with stain remover and washed according to label instructions. For tough stains or delicate fabrics, take the item to a professional dry cleaner. Make sure to point out the stain to the cleaner and identify the cause, as this will affect their cleaning method.
Keep things crisp
To keep your clothes looking neat and polished, remove wrinkles by ironing or steaming them. Begin by checking the care label to determine the appropriate heat setting for each item, as using the wrong temperature can scorch the fabric. Delicate materials like silk or wool require a lower heat setting compared to natural fibers like cotton or linen. For example, linen should be ironed while damp for best results, while silk should be ironed on the reverse side.
Investing in a high-quality steam iron and a sturdy, wide ironing board can make the task more efficient and effective. Steam irons are particularly helpful because the steam they produce penetrates fabric fibers, making it easier to remove stubborn wrinkles and refresh garments. The combination of heat and moisture relaxes the fibers, allowing them to return to their smooth, original state.
If you're unsure about how to properly iron a garment, watch one of the numerous tutorials on YouTube that can guide you through the process. These videos can provide visual and step-by-step instructions, helping you feel more comfortable taking on complicated tasks like ironing pleats, collars, and delicate fabrics.
For delicate fabrics like silk or wool, a handheld steamer is a convenient alternative to an iron. They’re also ideal for garments that are difficult to iron, like those with intricate embellishments, and for relatively quick jobs like removing the wrinkles you’ve accidentally created when storing your clothes.
Final thoughts
Taking care of your clothing is not only about maintaining a polished appearance but also about extending the life of your wardrobe. By following these proper clothing care tips, you can ensure your clothing and accessories remain in excellent condition for years to come.
Like this advice? Drop me a comment below. Know someone else who could benefit from this information? Please share it with them – this article is free for everyone.