The biggest mistake you're making when washing your clothes
Doing laundry is a daily part of life — but you might be doing it wrong.
Jeeves, a laundry service in New York and London, shared their top tips with the Daily Mail to help you better care for your favourite garments. Whether you’re looking for the best way to store a dress, remove a stain or wash that perfectly worn-in T-shirt, the following tips will have you well on your way to preserving your favourite pieces.
Storing your clothes
When it comes to work wear like blazers and jackets, the most important consideration is that the hanger is the proper size to avoid distorting your garments. If you’re hanging a dress, it’s best to fold it in half and hang over the middle of the hanger. If your dress is silk, you need to be especially careful when golding the garment as this fabric is more prone to distortion.
When it comes to sweaters and T-shirts, save your closet space and fold them. If you hang these items, you’ll see the garments become misshapen around the shoulders. The ultimate rule according to Jeeves? Never use wire hangers. These will distort the shape of your clothes and does not leave appropriate room for each garment to breathe when hanging.
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Avoiding moths
It’s no secret moths can wreak havoc on your wardrobe — and keeping these clothing-munchers at bay comes down to the environment you create for your storage. Jeeves suggests being preventative in your approach to moths, rather than waiting for them to strike on your favourite dress shirt.
You can purchase moth sachets and pepper them throughout your closet and dresser to prevent moths from calling your wardrobe home. If you would prefer to avoid insect repellent or traps – create an unlivable environment for these winged-devils. Moths habit dark, humid places so avoid these elements when storing your clothing.
If you suspect moths have moved in, don’t wait to see them flying around. It’s actually the larvae that call your clothes dinner. Hire a professional to remove the intruders before they get really bad.
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Washing your favourite garments
One common mistake is to pop your clothes in the wash after each wear – according to Jeeves, this is the biggest mistake you can make when it comes to preserving the lifespan of your favourite items. When it comes time to wash your clothes, you can always take tiny steps to prolong the life of your favourite pieces. If you’re washing darks, make sure to turn them inside out and wash in cold water, this keeps the colour from fading. Invest in good quality detergents to lessen the number of times you have to wash your clothes. A high quality detergent will have a higher cleaning power — and if you use powder detergent, toss it now and invest in a liquid or gel capsule. The powder can often cause abrasions in your garments before it fully dissolves in the wash.
The final tip is to regularly clean your washing machine. This will help ensure your clothes come out looking their best.
Removing pesky stains
While it’s recommended to consult with an expert before removing a stain, there is one method you can employ to limit damage. If you find a red wine stain on your favourite blouse, avoid hot water as this will set the stain into the fabric. Rather, dab the stain with cold water. Don’t rub as this will massage the stain into the fabric. If you happen to get a stain on something made of silk, take it to a dry cleaner immediately. Do not try a DIY solution to remove the stain.
Jeeves also reminds readers that most dry cleaners have very specific equipment to remove stains in the least damaging way possible. If in doubt, take your garment to a professional who have the specialized ability to remove stains.
We don’t want to air your dirty laundry, but start adopting these tips and you’ll be on your way to a perfectly preserved wardrobe.
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