How to Reset Your Laundry System When It Breaks Down
Even a good laundry routine can break down, through a busy stretch, disruption, or just slipping, leaving laundry off track and your system in disarray. Resetting your laundry system means rebuilding it after it has slipped, getting back on track and re-establishing a working routine, rather than staying in the broken-down state. The good news […]
The Elastic and Stretch Care Checklist
Many garments rely on elastic and stretch for their fit, waistbands, fitted clothing, stretchy fabrics, and caring for these well preserves the elasticity that keeps them fitting properly. Elastic and stretch can be degraded over time by heat and harsh treatment, so caring for stretchy items means protecting their elasticity, mainly by keeping heat low […]
The Benefits of Caring for Lined Garments Well
Some garments have linings, an inner layer of fabric, and caring for these means looking after both the outer fabric and the lining, which may have different needs. A lined garment is really two fabrics together, and handling it well means treating it in a way that suits both, so neither the outer fabric nor […]
Common Problems With Pleated and Structured Garments
Pleated and structured garments get their look from their shape, the crisp folds of pleats, the deliberate form of structured pieces, and caring for them means preserving that shape and structure. Careless washing and handling can flatten pleats, distort structure, or crush the intended form, so caring for these garments involves gentle, careful handling that […]
Handle Garments With Delicate Trims
Some garments have delicate trims, fine edging, lace trim, decorative borders, and similar detailing, that are more fragile than the main fabric and need protecting. Handling garments with delicate trims means caring for them gently so the trims are not damaged, snagged, or pulled loose, since these fine details are vulnerable to the stress of […]
How to Care for White Clothes to Keep Them Crisp
White clothes look their best when they stay crisp and clean, but they are prone to gradually dulling, greying, or yellowing if not cared for well. Keeping whites crisp means washing and handling them in ways that preserve their clean, bright look, mainly by keeping them clean, washing them separately from colors, and avoiding the […]
Handling Clothes That Have Yellowed
Clothes, especially white or light ones, can take on a yellow tinge over time, from storage, age, or buildup, which makes them look less fresh and clean. Handling clothes that have yellowed means addressing the yellowing where you can to improve them, and preventing further yellowing through good care and storage. While yellowing can sometimes […]
Taking Care for Clothes With Buttons and Fastenings
Buttons, hooks, snaps, and other fastenings are small but important parts of many garments, and caring for clothes with fastenings means handling them so the fastenings survive the wash intact and undamaged. Fastenings can be stressed, snagged, or loosened by the wash if not handled with a little care, so protecting them keeps garments fully […]
How to Handle Garments With Zippers Properly
Zippers are common fastenings, but they need a little care in the wash, both to keep the zip itself working and to stop its teeth snagging other clothes. Handling garments with zippers properly means doing the zips up before washing, which protects the zip and prevents snagging, and handling zipped garments sensibly. With this simple […]
Care for Clothes With Drawstrings and Ties
Drawstrings and fabric ties, on hoods, waistbands, and similar, can tangle, knot, or even pull out in the wash if not handled with a little care. Caring for clothes with drawstrings and ties means keeping them tidy and secure through the wash, so they stay in good order rather than tangling, knotting, or coming out […]