How to Prolong the Life of Your Winter Clothes
January is coming to an end, and before you know it, you’ll be packing away your winter clothes and unpacking your spring outfits. With just a few more winter months left, it’s important to take the appropriate steps with your winter fabrics to ensure they last you for the next several winter seasons.
At Mulberrys in Minneapolis, we pride ourselves on not just being able to dry clean your clothes, but being the experts on all things fabric care related. Our experts can care for your suede, cashmere, wool, and leather items before you put them away for spring.
There are a few steps you can take at home to ensure your cashmere, wool, suede, and leather clothes last for years to come.
1. Cashmere: Cashmere should be dry cleaned when possible. It’s best to let fabric care experts care for your most expensive clothing items. If you can’t make it to your dry cleaner, hand wash cashmere in cold water. Lay your cashmere flat to dry and dab with a towel to soak up any excess water. Remember always to wash your cashmere before you store it away for the winter. Moths are attracted to scents, like perfume and detergent scents, so use non-scented products. At Mulberrys, we use non-toxic cleaning processes that keep your clothes from smelling like chemicals.
2. Wool: Wool is best cleaned by a dry cleaner. If you find yourself with a small spot on your wool sweater just minutes before you’re ready to head out the door, blot it with cold water or club soda. Use wood hangers to ensure the shoulders of your wool clothing do not stretch out. When you bring your clothes to Mulberrys, we provide complimentary wood hangers for all your garments.
3. Suede: Incorrectly cleaning suede can lead to irreversible damage. It’s best to take your suede items to a professional, like Mulberrys. You can also use a dry cloth to dab the wet stain and then air dry. To restore the fabric, you can use a suede brush. Always spray your suede with water-repellent spray before wearing it. Store your suede items in a cool, dry, dark place. A wet environment can cause mildew and light can fade the fabric.
4. Leather: Leather is best cared for by a leather professional. Mulberrys experts are trained to care for your leather items. For last minute treatments, use a very damp rag to lightly press on the stain. Apply a small amount of hand soap and continue to press on the stain. Leather is usually not water-repellent, so use as little water as possible. Dab lightly with a dry rag and allow the leather to air dry. Sometimes water can remove some of the leather’s natural oils. You can take a small amount of olive oil and slightly rub it into the leather with a dry rag. When storing your leather items, make sure to store them in a dry area away from moisture.
Mulberrys Artisan Dry Cleaning and Laundry is devoted to cleaning your most precious winter fabrics. Our locations in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and San Francisco have specially trained fabric care professionals to care for all your garment care needs. Bring in your winter wardrobe for a nontoxic clean before storing your winter clothes for the spring season!
Resources:
www.stylecaster.com/how-to-care-for-winter-clothes/
http://www.whowhatwear.com/extend-the-life-of-your-leather-with-these-quick-and-easy-tips/
http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/make-and-decorate/decorating/tips-for-cleaning-leather
www.howtocleanthings.com/clothing/how-to-clean-leather-/
http://laundry.about.com/od/stainremovalfromleather/f/suedestains.htm
http://www.garmentcare.info/fabrics_by_fiber/how_to_protect_and_clean_suede_garments_and_shoes.html