Caring For and Storing Suits By Daniel Billett, About.com

Question: Caring For and Storing Suits

How do I take care of my suits so that they last a long time?

Answer: A good suit should last you a long time if you take care of it properly. And let's be honest, it is one of the most expensive things in your wardrobe, so you should do what you can to preserve its longevity. So, with that said . . .

Stuffing your pockets with keys, change and other assorted items will put strain on the seams, so just don't do it.

You should unbutton your suit jacket before you sit down otherwise you will be pulling on it. Also, as you are sitting down, pull your pants up at the thigh just a little so you don’t stretch the fabric too much. Both of these things will also make you more comfortable.

A clothes brush is a great thing--brush your suit with one when you take it off to keep it clean and looking good. This is something my father used to do and I remember watching him do it, and now I know why.

Hang your suit on a good wooden hanger that is made for suits and store it in a breathable garmenrt bag for protection. And avoid cramming it in between lots of other clothes, which will cause it to wrinkle.

Dry clean your suit only when necessary but at least once a season. In between cleanings, have it pressed or steamed and spot clean when required.

 

Dry-Cleaning Winter or Summer Clothes Before Storing

Question: Dry-Cleaning Winter or Summer Clothes Before Storing

Before storing my winter or summer clothes that I can't clean at home, should I have them dry-cleaned?

Answer:

You will want to have any article of clothing cleaned before you store it so that stains and odors don’t become permanent. And this is especially important when we are talking about wool since food stains can attract moths. But if you are only battling wrinkles, try steaming before spending money on dry-cleaning or professional pressing.

Frequency of Dry-Cleaning Clothes

Question: Frequency of Dry-Cleaning Clothes

How often should I dry-clean my wool clothes?

Answer: I learned a valuable lesson early in my career. I used to dry-clean my suits and other wool items rather frequently because that is what I thought you were supposed to do. After one or two wearings, I thought my garment was ready for the cleaners. But my clothes started to look worn much to soon--a costly mistake considering how much I love designer clothes. After making some inquiries, I realized I was dry-cleaning much too frequently. I learned that dry-cleaning can discolor and/or wear down fibers, can give your wool clothes an undesireable sheen, and can shrink your clothes (which has happened to me several times) if overdone. So even though it is important to dry-clean your clothes, don't make the same misake I did. Sometimes a simple spot cleaning and/or steaming/pressing will be all that is required. And aways choose a dry-cleaner that comes highly recommended.

The Dilemma of Professionally Laundering Cotton Shirts

Question: The Dilemma of Professionally Laundering Cotton Shirts

Is it safe to take my nice cotton dress shirts to be professionally laundered?

Answer:

When it comes to my nice cotton shirts, I prefer to launder my own. However, I do take my black and dark shirts to the dry-cleaners which preserves the dark color better. But I do not like to have any of my shirts laundered because they use chemical detergents, really hot water, high heat in the pressing process. The result is a loss of color, shrinkage and accelerated wear and tear.

I wash my shirts in cold water and drip dry them. I also press them with less heat and steam than they would if professionally laundered. This preserves the integrity of my shirts for much longer which saves money not only in laundering costs but in replacing worn shirts.

Removing the Wrinkles from Your Cotton Suits

Question: Removing the Wrinkles from Your Cotton Suits

How do you keep a cotton suit from looking wrinkled all of the time? I don't want to pay for dry-cleaning every time I wear one.

Answer: There is no need to dry-clean your cotton suit (or any suit) unless it is dirty. And pressing can be bad for your suit since it may end up looking shiny. If you trust your dry-cleaner and know they will do a good job, then having your suit pressed is okay, but I will say that I think it is still a gamble. The best solution is to steam a suit before you wear it. This will remove the wrinkles without the pressure and stress of an iron. Every guy who regularly wears suits no matter the fabric should have their own steamer. They are easy to use and will eliminate wrinkles and remove lint. You will be glad you have one. They range from $30 to $100.