Care Tips

Buying a stylish, but functional winter coat: Tips to remember

Shearling should be distinguished between “fake” and real. While both are warm, “real” shearling, with its lamb or “poodle” looking fur is both wind and water-resistant.

Cons of Real Shearling:

Can stain and soil easily — so it must be inspected after each wearing.
Ink stains can be difficult to remove
Must be cleaned each season by a specialist
Should be stored in a cool, breathable environment

Down is, ounce for ounce, the warmest and lightest material. It is also the most compressible—as well as one of the most durable.

Cons:

It’s more expensive than poly-fill
It loses insulating properties when wet
It’s labor intensive to clean, and very slow to dry
May contain allergens, because down is not entirely hypoallergenic.

Poly-fill and “puffer” coats are easy to care for, completely hypoallergenic, and offer a greater range of options for those on a budget.

Cons:

Can be bulky to wear and less compact than down
Heavier than down
Breaks down over time
May not drape as well as down

Wool and cashmere can be very warm, especially if lined. Both can be treated to be water-resistant—and provide a good barrier to cold and wind—but performance is specific to each coat. Cashmere is typically lighter and offers more mobility than “basic” wool.

Cons:

Wool can be heavy and bulky to wear and store
Can take on an odor when wet
May be a problem for sensitive or allergic people

—The Clothing Doctor

Do you know about these simple household tips?

A list of helpful household tips you might not know

Static Electricity, which worsens in the winter, can be improved:

By misting the “electrified” fabric with a bit of water
By wetting your hands and lightly wiping the affected areas
By applying a light mist of anti-static spray

Diluted vinegar is an acid-based cleaner that can do good and bad things:

White vinegar can clean and disinfect bathroom fixtures and trims
It can help “neutralize” alkaline products such as ammonia and mild bleaches
Vinegar can also actually “etch” or “dull” polished limestone and travertine

In a pinch, household fabrics with sheen or a shine can be safely pressed:

By using a fabric steamer
By placing a teflon cover over the face of your iron
By placing a press cloth or a thin fabric between the iron and the garment

Rust marks on cement, shower curtains and metal objects can be removed:

By applying a product called “Magica” to the affected area
By being patient and allowing Magica to “seep” into the affected area
By using a toothbrush to remove heavier rust deposits

—The Clothing Doctor

The Latest in Halloween Stain Removal

I did an interview with Martha Stewart Radio last week about Halloween stains...

Stain removal is all about the variables: the type of stain; the color of stain; the fabric—and the costume embellishments. And you have to think “outside the box” when it’s time to pre-treat, wash or dryclean these items!

Face Paint, Lipstick, Hair Dye removal = Pretreatment & patience!

All of these stains will need pretreatment, detergent, water … and time: Time for the stain remover to do its intended job—which is to dissolve the stain. If it’s working after 5 minutes, then apply another few drops.
Face paint, lipstick and hair dye, wash off the face with soap and water. But clothing—depending on the color and fabric—may need a soak in color-safe bleach, after pretreatment and washing. Some face paint and lipstick will need drycleaning, so consult your fabricare guru for first-hand advice.

Embellishments

Some sequins, pearls and glitter are attached with wax and glue, so you may have to “un-stitch” some ornamental parts before pretreatment because the wax and glues can dissolve in washing or drycleaning.

Glow-Sticks and Stain Removal

Most glow sticks contain peroxide (a mild bleach), fluorescent dyes, and glass shards. The peroxide can “bleach” fabrics, but I would worry more about the fluorescent colors!
If the stick breaks and leaks the inner fluid on to clothing, the fabric will need to be pretreated and then soaked, possibly all night. The colors are water-soluble, so they should come out. If they do improve, but are not removed, then try a soak in color-safe bleach. Use gloves to keep the glass shards from contacting your hands.
Then rinse and wash, as usual!

-The Clothing Doctor

How to shop with success

I get a lot of emails from people about shopping issues, so here are some tips!

This quote that says it all: "The biggest mistake people make when shopping for clothing is failing to recognize the care it will need and following it! It’s important to read care labels and know which fabrics require the highest maintenance."

Know what fits your lifestyle and personal habits before you pay!

Tough on your clothing? Buy fabrics that will meet your needs and will withstand your lifestyle...and be honest with yourself!
Are you a stain magnet? Buy prints, stripes and textures to hide stains.
Take up to 10 pieces into the dressing room to give yourself the best chance of success.
Try on more than just one pant, as they do vary in size from pair to pair.
Inspect buttons, zippers, seams and clasps before reaching the cash register.
Look at clothing under bright light to check for stains, neck soil, deodorant marks and ink swipes and open seams.
Check for an “extra” button and make sure all buttons are sewn on well.
Ask for a quality hanger that fits the shoulders and supports the weight of the garment.
Remove the plastic bag before hanging a new garment in your closet.

Learn to shop with success and buy only what you love and what fits you best!

This tip is © The Clothing Doctor and used with permission. May not be reproduced in any form without written permission.

Caring for your Heirloom Items

Everyone has at least one cherished piece; pillows, runners, needlepoint...

Maintenance: Taking note of its condition

Most heirloom fabrics, be it a cushion cover, a wedding gown, a tapestry or a Japanese kimono have been abused: There I said it!

Fact is these fabrics have absorbed decades and possibly a century or more of dust and impurities — without cleaning. Many of these textiles have also suffered neglect; taking on water stains and dye bleed from leaks and poor storage.

What can be done?

You can do your part by gently vacuuming the surface dust every few months. You can also make that you are storing these items properly:

In a breathable bag (that does not contain cotton or wool)
In an acid-free heirloom preservation box
In an acid-free archival box
And then make sure that the textile is surrounded by acid-free tissue

What can your drycleaner do for you?

In some cases, the textile may be in good enough shape to hand clean. If not, it can probably be spot cleaned — and, at minimum, steam cleaned. These processes will help “freshen” the fabric, while removing some dust and impurities.

Remember, older textiles may have some permanent discolorations that cannot be improved. However, any care will help maintain longevity.

This tip is © The Clothing Doctor and used with permission. May not be reproduced in any form without written permission.

Yes... Smelly Towels! (Part 2)

So you’ve told your kids to use soap, and not to throw towels on the floor...

What else can you do?

Wash your towels in the hottest water; remove them soon after the cycle ends; and dry them as hot as possible!

Your washing machine gathers odors from the soap scum that sticks to the parts "inside" of the wash wheel and bacteria can form. (Using too much detergent actually reduces washing and contributes to the odor problem.)

Using "regular" detergent in a front-load machine that requires High Efficiency (HE) detergent can also contribute to odors (and reduce efficiency).

To maintain your washer, clean and disinfect the inside every 30-60 days, depending on use.

You can run a load of white clothing as the last load of the day and add a quarter-cup of chlorine bleach.
You can run a "dummy" load or an empty load with just hot water and a whole cup of chlorine bleach.
Or you can use one of the disinfecting products at the grocery store...but be sure to clean your washer at the first sign of odor.

Note:

To reduce odors, keep the lid open or the door slightly ajar to allow the washing machine to breathe when not in use! And remember to remove the lint from the filter of your dryer after every dry cycle.

This tip is © The Clothing Doctor and used with permission. May not be reproduced in any form without written permission.

Yes... Smelly Towels! (Part 1)

Almost everyone has experienced a bad smelling towel at least once!

What causes the objectionable odor?

Last month we stated that bacteria would grow on swimsuits if left in a closed bag or locker. Towels suffer from similar problems if left untreated.

A bath towel absorbs soil, perspiration and dead skin cells, by the millions, every time it’s used (and not washed).
When active kids skimp on soap (and we know that many do), they believe, wrongly, that the towel itself will “clean” their body and take the place of soap.
IF, they throw the damp towel onto a pile, or leave it on the floor — and do not it hang up and spread it out — bacteria can start to form and odors begin.
If you experience this odor, wash the towels as hot as possible with detergent and a quarter cup of color-safe bleach.
Make sure to remove them from the washer as soon as the wash cycle is over.

Next Month: Smelly Towels and your washer!

This tip is © The Clothing Doctor and used with permission. May not be reproduced in any form without written permission.

Sun’s Rays Pull Color

• You can protect your skin with sun blockers, your eyes with UV sunglasses, and your hair with a cap, but aside from walking the streets with a parasol, there is no such protection from the sun for your clothes.

• The same sun that lightens your hair color, will also lighten the color in your clothes. As would be expected, the color loss will be more apparent in dark color garments.

• Shirts are most susceptible, with prime areas being the shoulder area, the back, and if you tuck your shirt in, above the waistline.

• Perspiration, in combination with the sun will accelerate the process.

• Prompt laundering or professional cleaning after each wearing is strongly recommended.

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