How To Take Care of Expensive Designer Clothing
High-end clothes require more care and maintenance than regular clothes. Frankly, it would be unorthodox to buy a luxury car and not clean it or take it for regular servicing. The same case applies to designer clothing. Owning expensive designer pieces comes at a cost to keep them looking good for a couple of years. If you are wondering how to take care of expensive, designer clothing, then this article will tell you exactly how to maintain them.
Use appropriate storage materials
Invest in acid-free tissue paper and garment bags to add an extra layer of protection to your garments. Ditch the dry cleaning bags as soon as you get home as they trap artificial gases that lead to the discoloration of expensive garments. Wrap your clothes in breathable fabric such as muslin to prevent the accumulation of dust.
Select an ideal storage space
It would be a shame to invest thousands of dollars in a designer piece only to store it in a moist and damp place. It is a no-brainer that moisture ruins clothes and provides a good breeding ground for bacteria. Ensure you store your high-end pieces in dark places that are dry and have good ventilation.
Buy a high-quality stiff brush
Your designer jackets and blazers will last a lot longer if you occasionally use a stiff horse or goat-hair brush. As you may know, jackets are not washed often and could build up lots of dust and lint. These stiff brushes help you get rid of dirt, dust, and lint and keep them looking new for a long time.
Use hangers to store your garments
Resist the urge to throw your clothes in a pile on the floor after a long day. Leaving your clothes on the floor or a chair causes wrinkles and damage by sweat. It takes less than sixty seconds to place your garment on a hanger and back to the wardrobe where it belongs. Avoid wire hangers that damage your clothes and get velvet, wooden, or silk hangers. We recommend buying hangers of the same color so that your wardrobe doesn’t look chaotic.
Get rid of stains immediately
Stains are inevitable when wearing designer clothing unless you plan on taking them off whenever you eat. A rule of thumb is that you should get some water on your stain immediately so that it does not get a chance to set. The longer you leave the stain alone, the harder it will be to get rid of. Remove as much of the stain as possible before getting the garment professionally cleaned.
Elevate designer bags and shoes
Designer bags and shoes are accessories to your outfits and also require to be taken care of to remain in good condition. Ensure that you store these statement pieces above the ground to prevent damage from the moisture locked in the floor. Invest in a shoe organizer and avoid using plastic bins for storage as they generate moisture. Stuff your bags with tissue paper so that they keep their shape.
Follow instructions on the care label
The care label is put in place to provide guidance and instructions on what you should not do to your clothing. Many people ignore the care labels and end up destroying their designer pieces. For example, throwing silk or wool in the washing machine should be punishable by law! If you do not understand what the labels mean, you could google them online.
Get your clothes professionally cleaned
Unless you have the prowess to deal with delicate items such as beaded patterns, lace, and embroideries, it would be best to entrust your designer pieces to the professionals. You could opt for liquid CO2 dry cleaning and give your high-end pieces the treatment they deserve. You will get a spin and span look and they will last longer.
Use the correct heat levels
You need to know what heat levels are appropriate for various fabric types so that your clothing remains in good condition. Too much heat can result in the yellowing or burning of expensive fabric. Imagine burning your designer dress before you even get a chance to wear it!
Hand-wash delicate items
Take your time to gently hand-wash delicate items in warm water to remove stains and keep them looking new. You could also use gentle soap in lukewarm water to soak your item overnight and get most of the dirt out.
Avoid cluttering your wardrobe
You are better off owning a few high-quality pieces that can be mixed and matched with most of your clothes. Designer pieces last longer when they are given room to breathe and organized in a manner that allows them to be stored without touching each other.
Invest in a steamer
If you do not enjoy ironing or prefer not to go to the dry cleaners, invest in a high-quality steamer that can accommodate different types of materials. In some cases, even the lowest setting of an iron ruins the fine threads of high-end clothing. Ensure you set your steamer on the lowest for use on beaded patterns or embroidery.
Fold knitted items
Hanging knits will cause them to lose their shape and elasticity. Before storing knitted and delicate designer clothes, ensure you air them out for a couple of hours. Airing prevents your woolen garments from attracting damaging bacteria that eat your expensive clothes. After your clothes are aired out, fold them and keep them well until the next use.
Avoid mixing clean and worn clothes
Designer clothes do not get much dirt on them since you would not normally wear them to do gardening or go to the gym. Air drying your garments deals with body odor before they are ready to be placed back in the wardrobe. Store freshly laundered clothes separately as the perfume in worn garments can attract insects and bacteria that eat at your clothes.
Wrapping up
Designer clothes are often expensive, but they tend to last longer and give you value for your money if well-taken care of. Ensure you give your high-end clothing the TLC they deserve, and they will serve you well. We hope our tips will help keep those gems lasting longer!
