Garment Care
Clothing Care Tips that Will Save You Money
Clothing, especially your career wardrobe, is an expensive investment, and taking proper care of your clothing can save you considerable money over time, not to mention the time and frustration of having to repair or replace garments unnecessarily.
Excessive cleaning of clothing wears it out sooner.
Some garments can be worn more than once before washing or cleaning if you give them just a little care when you remove them. Check the garment when you take it off, looking for spots, tears, lint, or anything else that would send it to the dirty clothes hamper. Garments that appear clean and smell fresh should be hung for wearing again. Jackets especially need to be brushed with a clothes brush paying particular attention to the shoulders and hung on a padded hanger. You can save money on the clothes themselves, as well as on laundry products and wear and tear on your washing machine by wearing garments again that aren’t soiled.
Use good quality hangers that support your clothes.
Flimsy wire hangers allow clothes to sag out of shape. Over time they may even cause damage to the shoulders of garments. Try to find larger hangers for your Big and Tall clothes to support the wider shoulders.
Don’t crowd clothes in your closet, as crowding causes wrinkles, which must then be removed. Ironing them again not only wastes your time, but also adds to the wear and tear on your clothes.
Storing out of season clothes in another location makes more room in your closet so that your garments aren’t crushed.
Winter wardrobe.
Woollen knitwear should be folded and placed in drawers, on shelves, or in storage boxes. Be sure that wool garments, in particular, are clean when stored to deter insects.
Following the cleaning instructions on the garment label will save your clothes from damage.
Hot water will shrink rayon, wool, silk, and other fabrics. It will also fade some colors. Heat from the
dryer may also shrink garments. Clothing that has shrunk doesn’t fit properly and must be replaced.
If you don’t like to wash items by hand, check labels for cleaning instructions before you purchase garments.
Buy items that say machine washable. Machine washable clothing also saves on dry cleaning costs.
By using a lingerie bag and cold or warm water on the gentle cycle, you can successfully machine wash some
delicate items.
Treat spots and stains as soon as possible.
If you take the article to a dry cleaner, point out any spots so that they can be given extra attention.
It also helps if you can identify what caused the stain. If the garment is washable, use a spot remover that is appropriate for the type of stain and the type of fabric. Follow the instructions for stain remover products such as Spray ‘ N Wash or Shout. If you’re unsure about color-fastness, test the product on an inside seam before using on the stain.
Sort laundry before washing.
Wash fabrics according to light or dark colors. You don’t want dark colors to bleed color onto your light colored clothes. Washing delicate fabrics separate from sturdy fabrics protects the delicate materials, which might be damaged by rubbing against coarse fabrics. Wash items that produce lint, such as terry cloth towels, separately for obvious reasons.
Don’t over use detergents.
Use an adequate amount of detergent when you wash clothes, but avoid using too much.
Check the rinse cycle when the washer is full of water. There should not be an excessive amount of suds in the water. By using the proper amount, you can save on the cost of detergent as well as water for a second rinse. Detergent left in clothing can irritate your skin and weakens the fibers of clothes.
Don’t use an over hot iron.
When you iron or press clothes, use the proper heat setting for the type of fabric. An iron that is too hot can ruin fabrics in an instant. Pressing very delicate fabrics should be done with care, and using a press cloth adds another layer of protection.