Even though the tags might say dry clean only, hand washing your cashmere sweaters might actually be the better option—it will make them softer over time. Here’s how to do it to cut down on wear and to keep your sweater in tip top shape: 1. Wash in cold water with either baby shampoo or a gentle detergent like […]
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Another Way to Save Your Sweaters from Dreaded Pills
Sweater pills are one of life’s little annoyances that just really bug me. With a wool or cashmere sweater they are inevitable, but thankfully there are several ways to get rid of them. (If only there was a way to prevent them!) I’ve sworn by one of these fabric shavers for years, but recently mine died. And until I can pick […]
Don’t Store Gloves in Coat Pockets
Even though it’s the most convenient place to stash them, to keep your gloves in the best condition you should avoid storing them in your coat pockets. Why? Because your hands perspire when you’re wearing gloves (yes, even when temps are below freezing), and they need to dry out once you’ve taken them off, which they can’t do wadded up […]
Caring for Sequined and Beaded Dresses
The holidays are nearly upon us, and that means that all of those sequins and sparkles usually relegated to the back of the closet are about to make a reappearance. We gave Jerry Pozniak, managing director of Jeeves New York (a dry cleaner trusted by both celebrities and big-ticket customers like Victoria’s Secret) a call for some tips on how […]
The Difference Between “Dry-Clean” and “Dry-Clean Only”
When a garment’s label reads “DRY-CLEAN” or “DRY-CLEAN ONLY,” you probably assume you can’t wash it yourself. But in fact, most clothing manufacturers are required to list just one way to clean a garment on the tag. So if the tag says DRY-CLEAN ONLY, obey it. But if it says DRY-CLEAN, that means that is the recommended method—not the only method—and you may […]
Skip the Iron
Ironing can double the amount of time it takes to do laundry, in an especially frustrating way because it’s time you’re actually involved in—unlike the washing machine or dryer which you can turn on and walk away from. To avoid that extra time and effort on laundry day, just remove clothing from the dryer while still slightly damp, smooth, and […]
How to Wash a Down Jacket
There’s a serious chill in the air in New York today, which means it’s time to put away our trench coats and start sporting our down jackets. But before you start wearing yours all over town, you’ll want to make sure it’s clean. As a general rule, you should clean down parkas twice each season. (Any more, and you could […]
How to Wash Smelly Workout Gear
If your workout gear has developed a bit of a funk in spite of frequent trips to the laundry, make sure you’re doing the following things: Use the hottest water temperature that your gear can handle. Look for an enzyme-formulated laundry detergent. (They help break down protein-based stains like perspiration.) Choose natural fabrics over synthetics whenever possible. Have more laundry […]
Why You Should Iron Your Clothing Inside Out
Before you break out the ironing board for that most dreaded of tasks. Take a second to turn all the clothing you plan to iron inside out. Why? Because ironing can actually cause dark colors to fade (and fade unevenly if you just spot ironing a garment). Plus, if your shirt or pants has a bit of sheen to it, […]
