TIPS ON HOW TO OPTIMIZE THE WEAR,CARE, & REPAIR OF YOUR CLOTHES
Rule # 1.
Keep it clean.
The best way to help your fashion last is to clean it after each wear. Dust, airborn styling products, dirt, body lotions- all these things build up in your clothes and can cause fiber eating bacterias that will cause holes in your clothing causeing you to look far less than your glorious self.
Rule #2
Hang it up. Hanging your clothes help keep their shape.
It's a great idea to have a place to keep some extra hangers. Hang your freshly worn items separately in a well ventilated area directly after each wear.
Rule #3
Avoid leaving your clothing is direct sunlight. It will cause your clothes to fade in irregular Patterns.
Rule #4
Let it Breathe. Ventilation keeps your clothes from getting that musty smell.. Best is to hang your items in a separate and well ventilated and shaded area directly after wear.
TRAVEL
When packing your suitcase with your finery, prepare yourself by keeping (or saving) tissue paper,
and wrapping paper.
We religiously follow the french tradition of wrapping our best items with tissue paper, and stuffing any parts that might be crushed while being tossed around while in your luggage.
We recommend that you lay your finest items on tissue paper, and roll it. Then wrap in wrapping paper, and then place it at the very top of your suitcase.
Never a bad idea to pack a little sewing kit, a tiny bottle of clothing detergent, a spot cleaning pen, or single use spot cleaning towelettes in your suitcase.
Unpack and hang (at the very least) your best items immediately so any wrinkles have a chance to ''hang out'' as we Californians like to say.
CARE
The easiest and most effective way to care for your clothes is to take them regularly to a professional cleaner.
We encourage you to choose an environmentally friendly cleaner near your residence who will pick up and drop off- if needed.
If they have a tailor in house, meet them, and have them adjust your clothes to fit you properly. Ill fitting clothing don't make you look your best.
A bottle of Hydrogen peroxide is an effective, readily available, very effective stain remover. Always keep a bottle near your garment wash.
Keep both liquid AND powder Garment wash and detergent in your home. Choose clear and colorless formulas that are (free of harsh chemicals) to double use for spot treatment of fine or delicate items, as well as whites.
Adding Baking soda in general wash cycles is a great way to booth the clean and softness factor in your clothes.
STAIN REMOVAL
If your dress gets a little wild at the dinner table, or tipsy with a neighboring wine glass.. or - oops! Make-up on the most obvious place! The best thing is to send it to a professional cleaner immediately. We like to have one who will come pick it up (and deliver it back to us) on our phone.
Be sure to tell the cleaner what caused the stain and tell them where it is to be sure it is properly removed.
In the event that a professional clean is not an option, don't wait. Here is a below guide for what to do.
A bottle of Hydrogen peroxide is an inexpensive, readily available, very effective stain remover. Always keep a bottle near your garment wash.
Keep both liquid AND powder Garment wash and detergent in your home. Choose a clear and colorless formula to double use for spot treatment of fine or delicate items, as well as whites.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES or PERFUME
Soak in cold water and sponge with water or hydrogen absorbent such as cornstarch or powder detergent. If the watermark persists, soak the entire garment and hang it dry. Steam out after drying and wear around the house to relax the fabric. Press hems or take them to a professional to re-hem.
COFFEE OR TEA
Rinse immediately with cold running water and treat (if necessary) with a small amount of liquid garment wash. Steam out after drying and wear around the house to relax the fabric. Press hems or take them to a professional to re-hem.
If a stain cannot be removed, consider soaking the entire piece in the same coffee or tea for an entirely new color.
BALL POINT PEN
Use ballpoint pen cleaner. Otherwise, try applying a spot remover solution and rinse with cold water. If the watermark persists, soak the entire garment and hang it dry. Steam out after drying and wear around the house to relax the fabric. Press hems or take them to a professional to re-hem.
MAKE- UP
Baby wipes are usually an effective method of removing foundation marks. A bleach pen may also be a good consideration.
CHOCOLATE
Rinse immediately in lukewarm water with the water running from the INSIDE of the fabric to the outside (away from the item. If the brown spot persists, consider spot treatment with bleach. If the watermark stays, Steam it out after drying and wear it around the house to relax the fabric. Press hems or take them to a professional to re-hem.
BERRIES
Pre- Treat the spot with a liquid garment wash and rinse in cold water. If the spot persists apply white vinegar to the spot and rinse again. Last resort- consider using bleach with hydrogen peroxide on the spot and rinsing again.
BLOOD
Rinse immediately in cold water. Add a few drops of Hydrogen peroxide and rub gently with a soft cloth under cold running water. Be sure water is running AWAY from the item to prevent the color from running.
GRASS
Rinse and pre-treat with liquid garment wash.
CANDY
Gently sponge launder by hand with mildly warm and soapy water. Allow to dry and steam iron out the stiffened wrinkles.
PENCIL
Use a clean white, (preferably polymer) eraser.
NAIL POLISH
Do not use Polish Remover. Sponge spot gently with turpentine. Rinse and then treat with a spot cleaner or liquid garment wash.
PERSPIRATION
Consider the use of disposable protective garment pads if you are anticipating perspiring. If perspiration has already occurred, Ammonia is the critical solution to remove a fresh stain. Apply gently with a clean sponge.
Treat an old stain sponge with white vinegar and then rinse with cold water.
Stain Removal Guide Thanks to The Vogue Sewing Book.
*We assume no responsibility for improper or innefective stain removal. *