How to Care for...

I ran across an awesome All Mighty advertising insert in a magazine with many tips and tricks to treating your clothing, and I knew I must share with all my fellow clothes-lovers. This may be slightly lengthy, but worth the read!

Knits

-Always lay flat to dry or tumble dry low heat inside a pillowcase to help them keep their shape.
-Fold sweaters of padded hangers - hanging them can stretch the shoulders
-It iron wool without leaving marks, use steam and lower and lift the iron instead of sliding it back and forth
-Wrap sweaters loosely in white tissue paper with a cedar block to deter moths before sealing them a cloth bag for the season

*Style Tip: Accidently shrink a sweater? Create a slouchy layered look by wearing it over a long cami or graphic tee
**Secret Tool: Remove piling from your favorite sweater by gently sweeping it with a disposable razor.

Washable Silk

-Silk is only washable if it is pre-washed by the manufacturer. Read the label carefully!
-Avoid detergents with enzymes or high alkaline content, as it can weaken silk
-Wash colored silk items individually, since dyes may bleed.
-Wrinkles in silk? Iron the garment inside-out with a warm iron
-Silk fabrics weaken when wet, so never wring or twist them. Remove moisture by rolling them in a towel instead.
-Hang silk from a padded or plastic hanger to dry. It distributes weight evenly to avoid stretching.

*Style Tip: Layer a super-soft tissue tee under a ilk dress for a casual effect that also reduces static.
**Secret Tool: Ues crocheted hangers to keep straps and slippery fabrics from sliding.

Delicates

**Secret Tool: Rub nylons and tights with damp hands to reduce static electricity between your hose and clothes.

Cotton

-Cotton can withstand high temperatures. Follow care labels and use the hottest water recommended.
-Packing tees for a trip? Roll them tightly to maximize space and reduce wrinkles.
-Cotton is absorbent, so it requires a high setting for quicker drying.
-Iron graphic tees inside out on a low setting to avoid melting the image.

**Secret Tool: Keep T-shirts smelling sweet: soak cotton ballis in your favorite scent (like vanilla), let they dry completely, then place in your drawers next to your tees!

Denim

-Wear jeans at least four times before washing to help them mold to your body.
-Three ways to safely shrink jeans: sit in a cold bath while wearing them (if you're really desperate!), wash them in hot water or put them in the dryer on low heat.
-To preserve color, wash jeans inside out in cold water.
-To refresh the indigo in jeans, wash them with a never-before-washed pair. The color will transfer subtly!
-To make sure they keep their shape, don't hang jeans - store them folded and stacked
-If you're concerned about fading, avoid putting jeans in the dryer.

*Style Tip: Pay attention to the pockets. The bigger the back pockets, the more shapely your
rear appears
*Style Tip: To ensure the perfect length, wash new jeans before you hem them.
**Secret Tool: If the zipper on your jeans sticks, rub it with candle wax to lossen it up.
**Secret Tool: If the zipper slips, spray it with hairspray for stickiness that will hold it in place.

Stack your closets with these must-have storage tools:

Padded Hangers: Help prevent stretching shoulders and denting fabric
Cedar Hangers: Hang clothes and deter moths in one step
Tie Hooks: Perfect for hanging belts or even comisoles
Tissue Paper: Use to wrap knits and delicates before storing
Shelf Liners: Keep fabrics from pulling on splintered wood
Lingerie Sachet: Store in your lingerie drawer to keep it smelling sweet
Steamer: Gently remove wrinkles from fragile clothing