Arpita Chheda
A suit is a must in every man’s wardrobe and also the most expensive clothing you’ll ever buy. It is an investment that has to be valued and maintained. Buying a suit isn’t just enough, you must also know how to maintain and care for your suit. In fact, the real task begins right after you bring your suit home. If you want to improve the lifespan of your suits, you have to know the best ways to clean and store your suits.
Here are 5 Effective And Essential Tips To Maintain And Clean Your Suits..
Avoid Dry Cleaning
The most common mistake people often do is dry clean their suits week after week. Dry cleaning involves the use of chemicals that can reduce the lifespan of your suits. The liquid solvent named, perchloroethylene (or perc) used in the dry cleaning process can wear out the natural fibers over time.
What to do instead?
Dry clean your suits only in times of emergencies like when a nasty or stubborn stain won’t go.
The best way to know the right time to take a suit for dry clean is by smell. If it’s ripe take it to the cleaners.
Rotate your suits. Avoid wearing the same suit everyday. Give the fabric some time to breathe. Wear it once or at the most twice a week.
Brush and clean your suits. Try spot cleaning with water and damp cloth, in case of any small stain.
Dry clean your suits once in 3-6 months(depending on how often you wear it).Also dry clean your suit before a season ends(summer,winter,etc) i.e before your store them.
Keep these simple tips in mind to prolong the life of your suit.
Use a Quality Suit Hanger
When wearing a suit to office stop throwing it over the back of the chair. When you reach home at night, don’t leave your suit here and there or hang it on a wire hanger.
What you should be doing?
It is important to maintain the shape and form of your suit. And for that, you just can’t use any hanger.
We mean you must use a good quality suit hanger that is wide and thick enough. Use wooden or plastic hangers with round edges.
This will help to maintain it’s original drape and smooth out wrinkles. It also allows moisture to exit.
Learn to Brush and Roll
The dirt,dust,lint and food particles gets accumulated on the fibers. This dirt and dust when not cleaned off can damage the suit and reduce it’s lifespan.
How to get rid of it?
Learn to use a brush and roll. Brush your suit when your done for the day.
Use a horse hair brush and slowly and gently brush off the dirt, dust and everything that might be clinging off the suit.
A quick 60-second brush down would be enough. Begin with the shoulders and then work down.
Lastly use a lint roller to give your suit a smart look.
Get a Steamer
Avoid using a dry dry iron as it’s high temperature can burn the garment fibers and damage the suit.
What should you opt for?
It is always better to use a steamer than a dry iron to prolong the life of your suit. Steaming is a much delicate and better method to get rid of wrinkles and odors without damaging the suit. Make sure you set the steam to the lowest heat setting.
Steaming can also help to get rid of oil-stains. Just put on some talcum powder and draw it on.
In case you’re travelling or do not have a steamer hang your suit in the bathroom while taking a hot shower this will help relax the fabric’s fibers and remove all the wrinkles.
If nothing works, take your suit to the cleaner!
Last few tips to remember and save the life of your suit…
- Store and cover your suit in a cloth which allows air to still circulate through the suit.
- Use a garment bag to carry your suit while travelling. And if that’s not possible learn to fold the suit correctly. Fold it in a way that reduces the wrinkles and provides more protection.
- Carry fewer items in your pocket and don’t forget to remove them once you’re done for the day. This will help to avoid unnecessary creases.
- Have at least 2 or 3 suits to avoid repetition. This way you can always enjoy wearing different suits and give them a good long life.
These were some of the best and effective tips to clean and maintain your suit. So now don’t just buy but maintain. Make your suits a good investment and give them a prolong life.