When you invest in a given fabric, you expect it to serve you for many years without wear and tear that would make a garment unusable. There are many ways to ensure your garments remain in great shape, looking as good as new. Below are some useful tips:
Proper Storage
Fabrics are sensitive to weather elements like moisture or too much heat. Store your treasured garments in a cool, dry place such as a closet that is well ventilated and free of mold. It is common to find people storing away things they don’t use every day in the garage, tool shed, or attic.
Such places are prone to extreme temperatures and dampness that will ruin your textiles no matter how sturdy they are. Avoid folding your fabrics inside trunks or boxes as they can become wet due to poor storage and attract mold and insects.
Basic Repairs
If you notice your fabric is torn or the hem is coming loose, try mending it with a needle and thread. Source various threads, scissors, needles, stabilizers, etc., and keep this sewing kit handy around the home to solve such problems at the onset. There are tons of YouTube tutorials on DIY projects like repairs you can do at home.
Proper Washing
Laundry day is inevitable no matter how long you put it off. Sort out your different fabrics according to textures, color, and other essential factors. Always read the labels indicating if the material is ready for machine washing or hand washing, and use the appropriate detergent.
Dry cleaning means removing dirt by applying grease, industrial solvents, and absorbents. Read the labels on your fabrics to see which ones require dry cleaning only. Adhering to these laundry techniques will save your materials from unnecessary wear allowing them to serve you longer. And if you have are unsure about how to use laundry techniques and use them to keep your clothes safe, you can always consider seeking professional help. The experts use commercial washing machines that can regulate the ideal water temperature and color-safe chemicals to keep all your outfits from getting damaged. You can visit here and learn how getting your clothes washed by professionals is a good idea for your wardrobe.
Less Washing and Ironing
Doing laundry too frequently can weaken the quality of your garments. Try wearing your clothes more than once whenever applicable, such as jeans, trousers, sweaters, and jackets. Wearing certain clothes more than once and avoiding ironing all the time is a frugal habit that also saves them from wear and tear.
Air Drying
Tossing your laundry in the dryer must be second nature to you, but not all fabrics can withstand the warm temperatures of the dryer. Silk, for instance, is a delicate material, and its weave patterns are prone to tightening after washing. If you must launder such fabrics, use cleaning agents for handwashing, then air dry these garments.
Hang silk fabrics to dry in the sun. They are light enough and can dry within an hour or two. If the temperature is not favorable, wrap the fabrics inside a towel to absorb moisture first, then air dry.
Shaking and Brushing
If some clothing items are not ready for laundry, you can shake and brush them to remove surface dirt. Hold the jacket, blazer, or dress in your hands and shake it well to remove dirt and insects. Fabrics like corduroy, chenille, and velvet are thick and easily hold dirt compared to lighter fabrics like polyester and cotton.
Stroke the surface lightly using a soft brush and repeat these actions in the direction of the pile. Please note, brushing against the grain of your garment will damage the fabric irreversibly. The next step is airing them to remove odors from sweat, perfume, or deodorant.
Final Thoughts
Protecting your fabrics from damage and keeping them in great shape is easy, but your methods must be specific to the material itself. Read labels when buying fabrics so you can determine if the required maintenance practices are feasible for their usage and your lifestyle. If you are unsure, you can always consult your local dry cleaning service for advice.
