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The Boutique: Wardrobe TLC – Tips that Keep Your Clothing Looking its Best
By Joni Hoffman
- Love your Leather. Keep leather goods in top condition by cleaning with a cotton rag that’s been lightly dipped in a solution of 1 part baby shampoo to 30 parts water. Gently rub off residue and allow to air dry. To clean and condition use leather cleaners like Meltonian 183 Cream Cleaner (Wardrobesupplies.com), or remove tough stains including lipstick and wine with an automotive interior cleaner like Leather CPR ($13.95, Amazon.com). Finally, alleviate rough and flaky spots by using a leather softener like Leather Honey, (Leatherhoney.com, $15.95).
- Tweak what you Own. If you purchased something vintage or on sale that doesn’t feel quite right, consider adding or subtracting sleeves, adjusting the hemline or changing the buttons. Don’t stop there! Your existing wardrobe can also benefit from a structural change. Do it yourself with a needle and thread or enlist a local tailor to give old pieces a modern facelift.
- Erase Stains. Whisk away everything from errant deodorant on clothing to scuffs on suede or powder on blouses with a sponge eraser like Mr. Clean’s Magic Eraser. No need to wet your clothes. Just briskly rub the dry sponge against the problem area and watch it disappear.
- Give the Washing Machine a Day Off. Take a cue from European women and extend the life of your clothing by washing them less. Air your best pieces outdoors the day after wearing them. Place them in a location where the air can circulate freely without exposing them to direct sunlight which can cause fading. Unless articles are stained, this trick is usually enough to freshen the fabric.
- Repair Suede. Revive minor balding spots on suede garments by rubbing the area with a piece of super fine sandpaper in a vertical motion. Use the same pressure you would use to check a pulse. For major cleaning, take garments to the dry cleaner, but request they do a test patch first to ensure they have enough experience to handle the job. To remove salt stains on footwear, brush the area with a suede brush tipped in a solution of 50 percent water and 50 percent white vinegar and let dry overnight. Re-brush in the morning to restore the nap.
- Freshen up Intimates. Tuck an unlit scented candle in the back of your lingerie drawer. Make sure to put the candle in a glass votive so the oils won’t stain fabrics.
- Safely Transport Jewelry. Organize your jewelry and sort out the pieces that you still love but need to have repaired. Put them in individual Ziploc bags and place them in a protective padded envelope. Stash it in your tote to take to a jeweler next time you’re out and about.
- Renew the Sparkle in your Bling. Once you have organized your must keep jewelry, take a little time for maintenance. Metals like gold that are simple and stone free can be cleaned with diluted soapy water or polished with a soft cloth. Use jewelry polish on silver and sterling silver.
- Protect your Handbags. Moisture from the outdoor elements can lead to mold. Always wipe leather handbags with a clean, soft cloth before storing in a cool, dry closet. Use the protective fabric pouch that your high -end bags came in and stuff with acid free tissue to keep them safe.
- Keep your Whites, White. Start by putting away the bleach since it weakens fibers and causes yellowing over time. If at all possible, avoid dry-cleaning garments for the same reason. Routinely soak whites (jeans and cotton) in a large basin of water with a pretreater like Oxiclean Versatile Stain Remover Powder, (Amazon.com). Wash in warm or hot water and air dry in a cool temperature. Never dry your whites in the dryer, as the heat is a yellowing culprit.
- Give Undies VIP Treatment. Extend the wear and luxury of delicates by washing your intimates separately from other laundry. Purchase a gentle washing liquid like Nordstrom lingerie wash, and a one-gallon glass jar. Fill the jar three quarters to the top with lukewarm water and a half capful of the detergent. Add up to five pieces of lingerie and shake until sudsy. Finish by rinsing items until water runs clear, then hang dry.
- Add a Sixth Scent. Tickle your nose and enjoy a beautiful fragrance every time you wear your clothes by using a delicately scented detergent. Many manufacturers offer scented laundry products but we’re addicted to Tyler Candle Company’s selection of fine detergents. There are ten scents to choose from, with Joni’s favorite being “Diva.” But, of course! (Tylercandles.com)
- Let off Some Steam.Toss out the iron and invest in a professional steamer to keep your wardrobe freshly pressed without compromising the fabric. Steam heat is the safest dewrinkling method and is perfect for delicate items like silk which cannot be pressed with an iron or garments with embellishments.
- Shave your Sweaters. Get rid of pilling and fuzzy’s on your favorite sweaters with a special shaver. They’re readily available at retailers including Target and Wal-Mart, as well as online. Consider using a special comb or brush on cashmere sweaters to keep them luxurious. (kentbrushes.com, $20)\
- Clean Jeans Without Fading. Typical jeans, regardless of how dark the color are dyed with indigo. Indigo will eventually “chip off” just like paint. Minimize loss of color by turning your jeans inside out before washing. Place them in the dryer for 5 minutes to remove excess water, then shake and air dry.
- Safeguard Embellishments. Beaded or sequined pieces are prone to snags. If a sparkle is misplaced, safety pin or tape the spot to keep more of the jewels from unraveling. Then, head to Michaels or another retailer that carries trimmings to find a replacement. Simply sew it on yourself or bring it to a professional.
- Protect Your Sole. Immediately after buying a pair of shoes, wear them three times to allow for forming to your feet. Afterwards, have the soles and heels reinforced with a rubber sole that’s installed over the existing leather one. In addition to water-resistance, the rubber gives you traction. Store them with cedar shoetrees to absorb odor and to help keep their shape.
- Polish up Patent. Even if you don’t do windows, keep a bottle of Windex on hand. Glass cleaner safely restores the finish on patent leather without streaking. A safe, effective and inexpensive solution to keep that high gloss shine.
- Salvage your Cashmere. Moths and frequent wearing can cause holes in a cashmere garment. A professional reweaver can create magic by seamlessly duplicating the pattern of the weave with an identical or similar thread. (Or you can provide the extra yarn that came with the sweater). Prices typically start at $50 on up depending on the damage. Shop for comparison pricing by searching for “reweaver ” on the net. There are some that ship nationwide.
- Give Shoes and Bags New Life. A good shoe repair or leather specialist can work miracles. From redying your faded suede bag to rebuilding those expensive pumps you’ve worn to shreds, a little attention can go a long way to renewing these favorite staples.
