SAE RELOCATION

Tips & Tricks for Garment Care

2017年9月13日
admin

We got these great tips on how to take care of your beloved garments. We are so happy to share them with you guys. Please read on for more!

SILK

  • While dry-cleaning is fine for basic silk pieces, it’s even better to hand wash them in order to keep the shape.
  • Hand wash silk in cool or lukewarm water using a tiny bit of mild detergent such as Woolite, Ivory soap or shampoo dissolved in water.
  • Like most natural fibers, silk doesn’t tolerate changes in temperature, so stick with either cool or warm water the whole way through.
  • Never wring out silk to dry! Instead roll the item up in a towel and gently press the water out.
  • Wash items labeled “washable silk” (underwear, tank tops, etc.) in the washing machine on gentle cycle in a mesh bag. Hang dry on a padded hanger.
  • To prevent color loss and to keep silk in good condition, add up to three tablespoons of white vinegar for every two quarters of water.
  • Silk should be pressed while it’s still damp. Iron on a low setting and don’t use steam, as it can leave watermarks.
  • Always store silk garments in a dry dark place, and never keep them in plastic since the fabric needs to breathe.

CASHMERE

  • Despite what it says on the tag, cashmere is best washed by hand in cold water with baby shampoo or Woolite for optimal softness and protection from chemicals (and only about two times a season).
  • Never hold up a wet cashmere sweater by the shoulders, it’ll stretch out. Keep your cashmere in a lump when you go to pick it up when wet.
  • To dry it quickly, use a salad spinner, this will release the excess water in seconds. Don’t have one? Lay it flat to dry, pressing it gently with a towel. 
  • Always fold cashmere sweaters in thirds so you don’t get a fold line running down the front of the sweater.
  • Always clean cashmere before storing it for the winter, as moths are attracted to our everyday scents, such as perfume, food, deodorant, and smoke.
  • If you do dry-clean your cashmere, be sure to remove all garments from the protective plastic immediately. Wrap them in tissue paper and place in cedar-scented bags instead.

LEATHER JACKET

  • Before wearing a leather jacket, treat it first with scotch guard or a similar spray to help prevent the ingress of water, stains or grime.
  • The best way to keep leather clean is to simply use a damp cloth
  • When you take your jacket off, hang it on a well shaped hanger as often as possible. Like leather shoes, the material stretches out easily.
  • Leather jackets are more prone to water stains when they’re not properly treated. Avoid taking them out in rainy weather and hang them in a dry, well-ventilated closet. Salt can also stain leather, so wipe away salt stains immediately.
  • Put leather conditioner on areas that get overly dry and make sure to have your leather jacket cleaned by a professional leather cleaner once a year.
  • Never use a hair dryer to dry wet leather.

WOOL COATS, SWEATERS, AND PANTS

  • During the winter, treat wool coats with a lint or suede brush after wearing them to remove any surface soil and lint.
  • Hang wool overcoats on sturdy wooden hangers so the weight of the coat doesn’t stretch the shoulder area.
  • Wool coats shouldn’t be hung in a packed-to capacity closet, as breathing helps the material stay crisp.
  • Remove light stains on wool by blotting (not rubbing!) with cold water or club soda using absorbent cloth or paper towel.
  • Wool coats should be dry cleaned at the beginning and at the end of the season.
  • Empty wool coats and pants pockets after every wear to keep them from sagging or losing shape.
  • If light wool sweaters indicate hand wash, you can still use a washing machine. Just set it to the hand-wash or wool cycle with cool water.
  • To actually hand wash, use a mild detergent and lukewarm water and let the item soak for 3 to 5 minutes before rinsing with cool water. To dry, gently squeeze the garment and lay it flat.
  • Never use scalding hot water or bleach on wool items.
  • To dry it, gently squeeze the garment and lay it flat. Hanging can ruin the clothing’s shape.

 

 

BONUS TIPS AND TRICKS!

  • Use white wine to remove red wine stains.
  • To stop angora or mohair from shedding, fold the garment, place it into a zip-top bag and freeze it for at least three hours.
  • Remove odors from vintage or thrift wear by spritzing them with a mixture of one-part vodka, two parts water.
  • Remove white deodorant marks from a garment by gently rubbing the protective foam used on hangers against the fabric.
  • The best at-home method to keep diamonds sparkling: liquid dishwasher detergent and an old toothbrush.
  • Never put a garment on immediately after ironing, as this can actually cause new wrinkles to form. Instead, let it sit for five minutes to set the press.
  • Due to its high level of surfactants, Dawn dish detergent is especially successful at removing grease and oil stains from clothing.
  • To clean suede in a pinch, remove the crust from a piece of bread and allow it to become stale. Gently rub dirt and stains with the edge of the stale bread, and they’ll disappear. To de-scuff suede, use an eraser.

 

 

This article is co-edit by SAE Asia and zerowasteshanghai.com

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