Everyone has those pieces in their wardrobe that are too delicate to be treated with tough hands. They can be heavily decorated wedding gowns or intricate shawls and dresses with lace work. These outfits are more than just something you can randomly take out and wear. Most people consider them an investment for the important events of their life.
However, to maintain the quality of outfits, you must create a practical fabric care routine. Proper care ensures the fabric lasts longer and also keeps its charm and fabric like new.
From proper care to adequate storage, the right couture care routine demands some effort from your end. In this article, we will discuss the care routine for delicate fabrics and couture pieces.
Contents
Ironing the Fabric
Before you iron your clothes, it is important to make sure that they are completely free of any moisture. For this, air drying is the best technique. All you have to do is lay your clothing flat on a towel or a drying rack in a ventilated and sunny area and let it dry on its own. You can then reshape it gently and prepare it for storage.
Use a steamer instead of your traditional iron as it is easier to iron your clothes and get rid of wrinkles. You can purchase one from a reputable brand that lasts for years. Since steamers do not come in contact with the fabric, they are much safer to use on clothing with heavy work and embellishments.
Fabric Storage
Next up is the process of safely storing your clothes. To store your clothing adequately, store them after determining the type of fabric and the extent to which you use it. The right storage technique helps you elongate the life of the fabric.
For example, if you look at the process of wedding gown preservation, you will get an idea of how storage can elongate the life of your couture pieces. Some of the dresses even last for generations.
Dresses, blouses, and structured fabrics are best kept hanged. You can even consider using padded hangers to maintain their shape. To maintain the shape and quality of heavier and more intricately detailed pieces, you can fold and wrap them in acid-free tissues.
Finally, to safely store them, use breathable garment bags that are often made of cotton and muslin. They allow air circulation and prevent moisture from building up in the bag. You can easily store the clothes in your wardrobe for a long time. Some people also go an extra mile by storing cedar or lavender sachets in their storage bags as they are natural insect repellents.
Washing and Cleaning Delicate Fabrics
Instead of dumping your clothes in a machine, consider the old and useful technique of machine wash. Hand washing a cloth with cold or lukewarm water protects its structure and does not damage the couture work on it. Even then, you should use a detergent with a neutral pH so the fabric does not look worn or dated after each wash. Baby shampoo is a great recommendation if you are looking for a way to mildly wash your clothes. Also, do not scrub the fabric with hard hands while you wash out the stains.
You can also use spot-cleaning sprays that clean out stains from a particular part of the fabric instead of washing out the entire thing. Another great way to maintain the quality of couture fabrics is by dry cleaning — especially if they are made from wool or silk. Also, outfits with intricate details and embellishments should be dry cleaned, to maintain their quality.
Although machine washing is quite risky, you can still go for it with a few precautions. Keep the cycle settings on gentle and place your outfit in a mesh bag so that it doesn’t get snagged while washing.
Additional Care for Long-Term Use
If you want to reuse your couture clothing or at least pass it on to the next generation, it is essential to take extra precautions upon use. If you use accessories such as jewelry or belts, remember to wear them and take them off with added care. Remember to wear accessories that are exactly your size, so they fit appropriately and do not snag the delicate fabric.
Excessive use of perfumes or deodorants can lead to fabric discoloration over time because of the alcohol content. Perfume a small amount from a distance on your delicate fabrics so that it spreads evenly and prevents it from staining.
Additionally, to make sure that your fabric has a long life, do not wear it frequently. Wearing the same piece all the time may lead to early aging and wear and tear. Your fabric will start looking old and might not sustain snagging.
Stain Removal and Dealing with Unexpected Clothing Emergencies
Anyone can have a bad day and drop something on their outfit. But that doesn’t really mean you get in a state of mindless panic and consider it the end of that particular piece. Fortunately for us, there are different stain removal techniques that can really help you get rid of that annoying blob of food, drink, or whatever.
First of all, blotting is not the solution. This means that running off to rub the dress with a damp cloth is not going to do the trick. You must recognize the type of stain and then treat it accordingly.
For instance, stains with a water base can be eliminated with distilled water but if there is an oil-based stain, use cornstarch to help you get rid of the spot.
Spots on silk can be treated with water and mild detergent. If you have an item of clothing with lacework, consider using a damp cloth to pat the stains. Don’t be too harsh. Similarly, beaded fabrics can be cleaned with a soft toothbrush to wipe away the debris.
Care for Your Couture Clothing for Longer Life
Couture clothing is delicate and comes with intricate details, which is why you need to protect it from getting damaged. However, to ensure that the pieces remain safe and available for long-term use, you need to wash and dry them with utmost care.
Store your fabric in clean and dry containers with ventilation to promote airflow. Also, use the right technique to lift off any unexpected stains.
Remember the techniques you use to maintain and store couture clothing can elongate their life and keep it looking fresh for years. Adequate care can even pass on the same piece of clothing for years and will eventually be worth its price and effort.
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