My Basic Clothing Care

I am doing the laundry right now and I think of sharing some of my practices on basic clothing care. I got positive feedback on my article Tips on How to Make Laundry Smell Fresh & Clean Rain or Shine! Hope this will also help you moms out there to make doing the laundry hassle-free!

We are all aware that buying good clothes is a big investment. Proper care after purchasing and before, while, and after using them is a must to extend their longevity. 

Here are some of my practices on basic clothing care:

• The button will stay longer if you dab clear or colorless nail polish at the center of the button to seal the threads.

• Lint removers are readily available in the market. In case you don't have your own, you can make one by rolling up a glossy magazine and wrap adhesive tape around it with the sticky side out. Roll it over lint, hair, and thread. You may do it repeatedly until they are removed.

• Rub a candle against zipper teeth to keep it working smoothly.

• Do not  dry clean clothes made of jusi, pina, and silk. Hand wash them with mild soap and water. You might also like reading How To Care For Your Jusi Barong.

•  When bringing soiled clothes to a dry cleaner, pin a note to each spot explaining what substance it is to call the dry cleaner's attention. Make sure to bring with it the different accessories like belts, scarves, etc. to make sure that the outfit remain the same color.

• Soak yellowish white clothes in vinegar for 15 minutes. The acid removes yellowish discoloration. Rinse just before soaping with detergent. You may also do this on your white or light colored canvas shoes but make sure not to expose them in direct sunlight because it can aggravate the yellowish discoloration of your shoes.

• Faux leather should be cleaned with  mild soap and water applied with a damp cloth. You might also like reading Quick and Effective Way to Clean Leather Using Household Products.

• If you are going to use a stain remover, test it first on the hidden part of the clothing to avoid ruining the entire garment.

• For stubborn wrinkles on clothes, hang it on a shower rod over the tub or big basin with hot water. The steam will remove the wrinkles.

• For wool or velvet clothes with cigarette or tobacco odors, run hot water in the tub or big basin and add vinegar. Hang the clothes on the shower rod and close the bathroom door. The vinegar in the rising steam will remove the odor of smoke.   

• Always hang clothes zippers and buttons closed on the hangers that fit the clothing. Make sure that sleeves, shoulders, creases, and collars lie flat into place. These will keep clothes in shape.

• Store beaded, sequined, embroidered clothes flat to avoid distortion of  their shape.

• Ties should be gently hand washed with mild soap and water. Please don't wring it after rinsing. Just hang it immediately to avoid distortion of their shape. It saves you time and electricity too because you don't need to iron them.

• Soak socks and clothes with stubborn dirt or mud on a detergent solution with baking soda and vinegar for 15 minutes then hand wash until the dirt is removed. Rinse thoroughly.