The winter months have gone as quickly as the seasons change, and the warmer weather is coming in again. Your winter clothes now need to go back to storage but only with a quick trip to the dry cleaners. While this is the best option if you want to avoid doing it yourself, dry cleaning can be costly. An excellent solution would be to do the cleaning yourself at home.
General Fabric Rules
The general rules about cleaning your clothes still apply. The labels on your clothes will give you the best directions on cleaning and maintaining your clothes for the next cold season. If your tags are faded or have come off, there are still some general rules you have to know.
Separate your colors. Be sure to put the darks and the whites separately. Some materials like leather and suede should not be completely dipped in water, so they should not be machine washed or soaked as this will ruin the fabric. Remove everything from the pockets of the garments before you begin.
Waterproof material does not go into the washing machine. In most cases, the dirt can be wiped off the top material. The inner fabric can be dipped in water and washed to eliminate sweat smells. Some materials are drip-dry only, and others need ironing.
Be sure you know which by following the label instructions or getting the information online or from another trusted source. Use a dryer only when necessary, and make sure you store your clothing in a cool and dry place to avoid stains, creases, and dust. Leather may need a protective covering, so get the right cover.
Caring for Different Winter Clothing Fabrics
We use many fabrics in the winter to keep us warm, like velvet, wool, and down. These must be cleaned and stored correctly to avoid damaging the fabric.
Wool
In the winter, you still need to take care of your wool clothing. Do this by blotting any light stains you get on your clothes and brushing away any soil or lint that accumulates on the fabric. Hand washing should be done carefully using lukewarm water and soap if you are directed to hand-wash your clothing. Using the washing machine, use a gentle setting with cold water.
As a rule, you should never use scalding hot water or bleach on woolen materials. This damages the fabric, and you will not be able to wear it after a while. Hanging the woolen clothes may ruin the shape, so you must gently wring the material and let it dry on a flat surface. Shape the garment while it is still wet and leave it to dry. When storing away your wool fabrics, do so by changing the jackets on wooden hangers or folded away in a dry place to avoid the material being affected by mold, mildew, and moths.
Cashmere
This material is rather delicate and needs extra care. Cashmere materials need to be washed every two or three times you wear them. Make sure you empty all the pockets before you begin. The best option for cleaning the fabric is by hand in cold water. When carrying the material from the wash to where it will dry, ensure it is in a ball to prevent it from stretching. Since the material can try if you hold it up, do not hang it to dry. To dry it quickly, lay it flat and towel it dry. Store this carefully away to prevent being attacked by moths. Once this happens, your material will be ruined, and you will have to get a new one. Make sure to use a protective cloth to cover up the material.
Leather and Suede
Leather and suede are two materials you want to take care of. They should be stored in a fabulous closet with a protective covering. Most stains on suede can be brushed off with an appropriate brush; this is especially useful for water stains. Leather jackets should only be washed once or twice a year at most. Most stains on leather can be taken off using a damp sponge and soap. Wipe off the paint and carry on. For the inside of the jacket, use warm water and wet the jacket but do not soak it so the water gets to the leather from the inside. Ensure you immediately pat dry with a dry cloth or sponge to prevent the material from getting too wet. Hang it to dry and store it carefully in a cool, dry place.
Down
Down is a material made from the down of bird feathers. Since this material is also very delicate, it also needs special care. Puffy down clothes like parkas should be machine washed in cold water. Do not use any bleach for washing. After you have passed, place the parka in a tumble dryer with three clean tennis balls. This will help to redistribute the feathers and maintain the parka’s shape. Ensure the coat is completely dry, even if it takes several cycles before storing it, t prevent the feathers from clumping together. Even as you use the tennis balls, remove the material and pull apart the clumps by hand.
Velvet
Some velvet materials cannot be washed at home and need dry cleaning, while others can be machine washed. Be sure to read the labels to make sure which is which. To remove any creases from the material, you will need to hang the material in a dry area. Do not iron, as this will press the fabric’s fibers and ruin them. The iron may also leave an imprint on the material. When storing the velvet garment, use a padded hanger to avoid deforming the material. Do not fold your velvet garments. Use a roller to remove lint, dust, and threads from the velvet. Do not press or blot the material either when removing stains.
If you need professional help cleaning your winter clothes in Singapore, you can contact us today!