Keep Your Clothes Looking New
You might not think of your wardrobe as an investment, but it is. Nobody likes a pair of jeans that fit like a glove when you buy them, then shrink three sizes after washing them. If you know your stuff, your clothes can last for years.
So, what’s the secret to keeping your clothes in tip top shape? According to the ladies at Daily Venus Diva, it’s all about quality and care. Here’s their rundown of the best timeless fabrics with tips on how to keep them looking their best:
Cashmere is soft, luxurious and now more affordable. Be aware that it can pill or fuzz. And although it’s less expensive than ever, it can still be pricey and moths love it.
Cotton is soft and breathes, and it looks and feels great. Some clothes are made with organic cotton (grown without chemical pesticides) and others may come with wrinkle-resistant finishes. Though unless marked as “preshrunk,” cotton can shrink. To avoid wrinkles, cotton must be hung up right after drying. Colored dyes can run, especially reds.
Linen can be twice as strong as cotton but is really wrinkle-prone.
Wool is warm, soft and super strong. It hardly wrinkles at all, though it can be expensive to buy and maintain and moths find it irresistible.
Read the whole article to find out the best fabric blends and which ones are better to avoid.
Photo by: Wm Jas
By January 22
When you’re shopping for new clothes, what qualities are important to you? Obviously, the fit’s a high priority. Probably the price, too. Maybe even the brand. But how often do you judge a piece of clothing by what it’s made from?
Care secrets: Sweaters can be machine-washed on the gentle cycle; then laid flat to dry. Washing can be better for sweaters than dry cleaning as it makes the fibers fluff up. But always dry clean coats and jackets. Never use wire hangers.
Care secrets: Machine wash cool; dry and remove promptly. To maintain the shape of cotton clothing, it’s best to let it air dry.
Care secrets: You can dry clean linen garments, though machine washing adds a nice softness. Just test an inconspicuous corner of fabric first. Wash in warm water with bleach-free detergent; hang or lay the garment flat to dry. Linen absorbs lots of water, so wash only a few pieces at a time. Iron twice with the steam off: first on the inside (when the fabric is still damp) and then on the outside with a dry iron.
Care secrets: Dry cleaning is optimal but it’s also washable. In a conventional top-loading washer, soak sweaters in mild detergent for 15 minutes, rinse, spin, then lay flat to dry. Do not agitate. Hang wool in a steamy bathroom to go longer between cleanings.
