How to Keep Your Wardrobe Looking New Longer

Suede

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Suede Garments: Over time, suede can get shiny looking and the nap can become flattened. To keep suede garments looking new, brush it with a dry household sponge after each wearing.

Suede Shoes: Hold worn looking suede shoes over a steaming kettle for a few seconds then brush nap in one direction with a soft brush or dry sponge. Be sure to let shoes dry before wearing them.

Silks

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1. If silk has lost its original look and has a crumpled look, try steaming it for a few seconds then letting it hang.
2. Lay a damp cloth over a silk garment before ironing, it will look as good as new.
3. Do not hang silks on wooden hangers as they may get snags. Hang them only on padded or good quality plastic hangers.

Lingerie

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Always hand wash lingerie in water and a mild detergent, and after rinsing, squeeze rather than ringing to remove excess water. Hang garments indoors to dry. as sunlight may cause discoloration. If lingerie is washed in a machine, always use the gentle cycle and place items in a mesh bag to prevent them from becoming tangled.

Red Wine Stains

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You don`t have to panic if you spill red wine on your favorite blouse, but you do need to act quickly to save it. As soon as the spill occurs, saturate it with white wine. If no white wine is available, cover the red wine spot with salt and let sit a minute before saturating it with club soda. Blot the stain and launder the garment immediately.

Dry Cleaning

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The chemicals used in professional dry cleaning can actually be damaging to fabrics. If your “dry clean only” garments are not dirty, but are badly wrinkled or creased just lay a damp cloth over the garment and iron on medium heat to remove creases. If clothing does need to be cleaned, try using a home dry cleaning product such as Dryel. It is safe, effective and costs about one tenth of what you would pay to have the garment professionally cleaned. You can get a $2.00 off coupon for Dryel here.

Leather

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• If leather becomes wet always let it dry naturally. 
• Always hang leather jackets/coats on a sturdy wooden hanger so that they do not lose their shape.
• Regularly treat leather with products such as mink oil or dubbin so it stays soft and doesn’t crack.