6 Tips Men Shouldn't Ignore About Taking Care Of Clothes

By Author: Vikram Sharma
Total Articles: 162
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You've spent a lot of money on amassing an impressive men's wardrobe. However, if you don't properly store and maintain those garments, you'll lose money on your investment and your appearance will suffer as a result. Everything you need to know, from the best hangers to the importance of shoe trees to useful clothing care advice, is right here.

1. Storage Tips

Clothing and footwear should be stored in the following conditions:

i.Cool

ii. Dark

iii. Dry

iv. Clean

This four-factor combination inhibits bacterial growth, discourages
insect infestation, and prevents UV damage or colour fading. If you intend to hang clothes like premium cotton lungies for more than a month, use breathable garment bags to prevent dust and lint buildup.

2. Best Hanger Options

Using wire hangers to hang your woollen clothes could result in permanent damage. Why you might ask? Because draping woollen garments on wire hangers results in unsightly creases that are difficult to remove.

By using wooden hangers, you can avoid ...
... this problem. While wooden shirt hangers are more expensive than wire hangers, they will not damage your expensive suits and shirts. Shirt hangers should be at least 14 inches thick, and suit hangers should be at least 1 inch thick at the shoulders. Given the high cost of a suit jacket, doesn't it make sense to invest in a wooden hanger to extend the suit's life?

3. Shoe Trees

Shoe trees extend the life of your shoes and should be included in your wardrobe budget. They keep the shoe's shape and keep the leather from warping, preventing premature cracking.

Furthermore, they absorb excess moisture in the soles and leather.

4. Protecting Woollens

Wool, as a luxury fabric, has amazing properties and long, useful life. It is, however, costly and prone to damage if not cleaned or stored properly. Before you seal and store your woollens, have them professionally cleaned. Any microscopic insect eggs that may be present are killed by the dry cleaning chemicals. Another method for protecting your woollens is to vacuum seal them before freezing them for 72 hours to kill any potential insect eggs.

Never mix dry cleaned woollens with non-dry cleaned woollens. The dry cleaning process kills the eggs on the garment, but it does not protect against infestation from other sources. Mixing and matching garments can have disastrous consequences in your wardrobe.

Mothballs are popular insect repellents, but they are a harsh option that may leave an unpleasant odour on your clothes like cotton lungi. Consider natural alternatives like cedar, lavender, rosemary, cloves, and so on. They are less effective than mothballs but do not contain paradichlorobenzene.

5. Protecting Cotton Clothes

Although moths will not damage cotton clothing, prolonged exposure to moist conditions can be harmful. Mildew, for example, will eat away at the cellulose fibres and cause permanent damage.

Also, don't dismiss man-made damage simply because cotton is known for its durability. Cotton can be damaged if it is over-bleached with alkaline bleaches or if acidic stains caused by juices are not treated. While cotton is sturdy, it is not indestructible.

6. Space Saving Closet Organization

The amount of storage space you have is determined by the size of your home. How do you work around this physical constraint if there isn't enough room for your clothes?

Rotating your clothes is a simple solution for limited storage space. Sort your clothes into categories such as those you intend to wear this month and those you intend to use later.

Keep the latter group. Fold the clothes, place them in a suitable storage container, and label them so you can find them later. Done deal!

Once you've organised your storage area, you'll have enough space to properly store your clothes. Rotate in clothes appropriate to the season or climate as needed to avoid an overstuffed closet where you can't find anything. Allow 12 inches of space between clothes for airflow and ease of selection for the best results.

You may notice a few gaps in your wardrobe after cleaning out your closet and evaluating your wardrobe. A shirt here, a tie there, and a couple of pocket squares just in case may be all you need, or you may discover you require a new blazer, sportscoat, or odd trousers.