Proper Garment CareIt is true to say that not all clothes last as long as they should, this is in part to the treatment we put them through, whether that is frequent washing, ironing and drying, but can also be the way you store them and most notably what hangers you use.
Correct water temperature, washing machine cycles and cleaning detergent are all key elements to ensure your clothes are kept looking pristine, Let's not forget the way you store your clothes.
Using the correct hanger is a very important element to increase the longevity of your clothes, using the right hanger can add years to the life of your clothes.
For your FREE download and save care label guide click here, alternatively click here of an online version
- Ensure you have the right detergent
One aspect to improve the life of your clothes is to ensure that each time the garment is washed the appropriate detergent is used, often people (through no fault of their own) use the incorrect detergent for the garment, that coupled with the use of tumble driers, steam irons and dry cleaning all take their toll on your clothes, as time progresses the fibres of the fabric become worn and frayed
Many laundry detergents are suitable for specific type of material, whether that is wool, cotton or coloured fabrics.
Detergents are designed to clean the fabric and enhance the material, each time you wash your clothes the colour dye slowly fades so that 'black' jumper becomes charlocal and the blue shirt become sky blue.
For some this is an enjoyable aspect of clothing at the rough denim becomes softer and the white t-shirt ages with time, for others the favourite item is left in the back of the wardrobe never to see the light of day again.
Water plays a large part in the care of your clothes, hard water has a large mineral content of which calcium, magnesium are the primary constitutes.
Some detergent have a tough time on producing suds especially if they are soap based. Look for detergent designed to work in hard water areas, check the manufactures instructions for cleaning as they will have specific amounts to add to your clothes whilst cleaning.
- Using the correct water temperature?
Gone are the days of boiling whites to make them clean. Most washing machines with the correct detergent can wash at either cold or a very low temperature; some are specifically designed to do this.
If you use a high temperature can cause the fibres within your clothes to shrink, which in turn tightens the structure of the garment which can alter the design and ultimately the style of your favourite piece, reducing your likelihood of wearing it, a cold wash should also save you money.
Each time you wash your clothes the colour dye slowly fades, so that 'black' jumper becomes charlocal and the blue shirt become sky blue. For some this is an enjoyable aspect of clothing at the rough denim becomes softer and the white t-shirt ages with time, for others the favourite item is left in the back of the wardrobe never to see the light of day again. The more you wash the lighter the colour becomes. If your washing machine is too hot this can speed up the process.
Tumble drying can cause bubbling of your woollen clothes; it can also soften hard cottons so there are positives and negatives to this process.
Drip drying this can be a preference for many type of material the most obvious is wool, but denim, cotton and cashmere also benefit from drying within an ambient temperature. For some, time and space is more of a factor in drip drying.
Some care labels suggest you lay the garment flat other suggests you hang. If you hang the garment you must ensure that you never use a wire hanger, due to the relaxed state of the fibres the harsh profile of a wire hanger will most likely have a permanent affect on your freshly washed clothes.
Always look to use a hanger with a shaped profile which can give the textile support and structure not just around the neck but also over the shoulders. The fibres then relax and dry in an effective and uniform manner.
It is evitable that your clothes will come into contact with an iron. A steam iron is an effect way of removing wrinkles, either by pressure applied to the garment or with steam penetrating the garment in a horizontal position, (I am sure you have seen the mobile steam machines used in retail shops)or a combination of both.
Steaming is an effective way of relaxing the fibres and adding moisture to an overly tumble dried garment, or to a garment which lacks lustre
Some textiles are designed to take a very high heat iron; denim is a very robust material, whereas corduroy would require ironing on the reverse of the texture.
Many supermarkets sell mineral free water which helps to prolong the life of your iron and to infuse your clothes with a delicate fragrance.
Spray starch can also assist in the removal of wrinkles in your clothes, although always test an inconspicuous area of your clothes first before applying a liberal amount as sometimes the effect can be quite alarming!
If you are ironing a delicate material then use a very low heat and iron over a handkerchief to ensure that you do not mark the material.
As in the 1981 film Mommie Dearest, a film about Joan Crawford, staring Faye Dunaway Joan scream to her daughter "No wire hangers, ever"
The same could be said in real life.
There are two things which are good for wire hangers, firstly if your car aerial breaks, a wire hangers can be used to receive a signal. Secondly, they can be used to fish car keys from drains, that's it.
If you do anything at all to help in the care of your clothes then never use wire hangers in your wardrobe.
Wire hangers are designed for quick use when transporting a light weight garment from one location to another they are not designed for long term use.
I am sure we have all seen the effect of clothes which have hung on a wire hanger for any period of time, they cause the clothes to miss-shape, and distort, they have no profile and no support so the garment is under stress, distorting the fibres and causing it to take on the shape of the hanger.
Mainetti Hangers are designed to support your clothes, from the neck to the shoulder, and from the front to the back our hangers mimic the shape of the human form, giving your clothes the correct support that they were designed to do.
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