KEEPING YOUR BEST LOOKING ITS BEST

By Bee Lindquist
Laundress Fabric Fresh (Starting at $16 for eight ounces).

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Do you have that favorite blouse or those pants that fit just right? You wonder how to keep them looking good and fresh for a long time. There are several tips to keep your clothing looking good and smelling fresh.

Let’s talk about dry cleaning. What did they do back in the days of yore before dry cleaning? In order to keep their Sunday best, looking the best they would sponge the outfit.



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 What does this mean? First with a fine brush they would brush the loose dirt from the garment with the nap of the fabric. This works well with wools, cottons and other natural fibers. After removing the loose dirt and lint, they would then take a natural sponge dipped in cool water with a bit of lemon juice or white vinegar then wrung until just damp and sponge any stains and the sweat points of the garment. They would then lay the clothing flat to dry and touch up with a flat iron. You can still do this between dry cleaning or in case of sensitivities to dry cleaning.

There are however some alternative dry cleaners who do not use the harsh chemicals that have been popular for years. One of the biggest culprits is PERC or perchloroethylene. If you can’t find a good organic cleaner, and that term is used very loosely in the industry, the best thing to do is before taking them in the house hang them in a cool dry place and remove the plastic wrapping. This allows the toxic fumes from the cleaning process to be expressed before you bring them into your home and closet.

General care and maintenance on your fabrics can save you time, money and wardrobe malfunctions. Here are several tips to consider on caring for your clothes:
General Clothing Care

When you buy a new garment, dab the center of each button with clear nail polish to seal the threads.

Wrap tape around your finger with the sticky side out to remove lint from a small area quickly.

 

For a do-it-yourself lint remover, roll up a magazine and wrap wide adhesive tape around it with the sticky side out.

 

When brushing clothes to remove dust and lint, you'll get better results if you brush with the nap rather than against it.

 

Rub zipper teeth occasionally with wax to keep the zipper working smoothly. The stub of a candle works well for this procedure.

 

You can de-wrinkle clothing in a hurry by running hot water into the bathtub and hanging the garment on the shower rod. The steam will remove the wrinkles.

Never spray cologne or perfume directly onto clothing.

Check buttons, hems and seams after laundering and mend any loose items. This will circumvent a possibly embarrassing and frustrating uh-oh.

Here are some simple rules according to Style Magazine for laundering your favorite pieces to keep them looking great for years.Jeans:
What to know:
Exception to the rule:

Dress Pants:

What to know:
Exception to the rule:

Jackets and Blazers: After 5 to 6 wears
What to know:
Exception to the rule:

Skirts:
What to know:
Exception to the rule:
Remember this rule the closer to the body the clothing and the lighter the color usually requires more frequent laundering. The looser or darker can go a few extra wearings.

Make sure to use good sturdy hangers like Huggable Hangers and stay away from those wire hangers that Joan Crawford loved to hate.


Keep on top of repairs and enjoy them for years.

You can be more lenient with circle and A-line styles, which hardly skim the body. But “whites and silks are prone to discoloration and should be cleaned after every wear,” says Brian Sansoni, vice president of the Soap and Detergent Association, in Washington, D.C. Chances are you’re not doing anything strenuous in skirts, so you can wear them multiple times. Just refresh nonsilk fabrics with a 10-minute spin in the dryer with a dryer sheet4 to 5 wearsPeriodically check the high-friction areas—collar, cuffs, and placket—for signs of dirt. But you can roll up the sleeves (or even pop the collar) temporarily to conceal stains on an otherwise-clean jacket. Typically layered over a blouse, a tee, or a camisole, these don’t require much upkeep. However, a jacket can retain odors (say, from last night’s fajitas), so before you stuff it in a closet, air it out near a window or spritz it with the Your nice trousers will last longer between washings if you change into your “play clothes” as soon as you leave work (as opposed to wearing them to your daughter’s soccer game). You’re probably wearing these in an (overly) air-conditioned office, so feel free to revisit them multiple times, particularly those made of stain-repelling synthetic blends. Part of a suit? Dry-clean both pieces together so one doesn’t fade faster than the other. after 4-5 wearings Take them for a spin cycle sooner if they stretch out. Or just toss them in the dryer for 10 minutes (but no more than that). Spandex-heavy jeggings (jean leggings) should be washed after every wear so the knees don’t bag. Durable denim is excellent at masking dirt—which is a good thing, since over-washing can cause jeans to fade and fray. To keep yours looking like new (or “weathered” just the way you want them): Throw them in the washer inside out and use cold water. Avoiding the dryer will help retain color, too. after 4-5 wearing