There’s nothing quite as exciting as shopping for that perfect addition to your wardrobe. Whether it’s a gorgeous wool blazer or silky evening gown, it can instantly refresh your style and help create countless new outfits.
But sometimes investing in delicate clothing also means investing a little extra time into caring for it properly—because those truly special pieces deserve nothing but the best.
Caring for your favourite items goes beyond basic cleanliness: it’s a way to keep your look elevated. The end result is a classic outfit that looks just as chic as it did when you first purchased it.
For that reason, we’ve found the best ways to care for your clothing to ensure they stand the test of time. Your future self—and your favourite blazer—will thank you.
The Best Ways To Care For Your Clothing, According To marie claire:
Wash Wisely
It might seem obvious, but checking the garment tag before washing your clothing is a must. Most will be fine to pop in the washing machine, but some will advise to skip the spin in favour of a gentle wash.
If your garment is okay to be machine washed, ensure you’re adjusting the temperature accordingly. The tag will generally advise the highest recommended temperature, so do your due diligence and make sure the water is lower—ideally much lower—than that. A cool wash is always best to avoid shrinking or fading.
Ensure all buttons, zips and closures are fastened before putting in the washing machine, as these can cause friction if left undone. For an added layer of protection, put your items in a mesh delicates bag, which will prevent tangling, stretching or snagging.
Laila Large Washbag
$9.99 at Bras N Things
Laundry Detergent Starter Set
From $40 at Blueland
DedCool 01 “Taunt” Dedtergent
From $59.27 at Revolve
Juliette Has A Gun Not A Detergent
$49 at David Jones
Handle With Care
To avoid the heartbreak of a shrunk sweater, handwashing will be your new best friend. Before starting, there are a few things to consider: Where you’re going to wash, temperature and detergent.
Consider where you’re going to hand wash your items—is your sink big enough, or will using the bathtub be best? Similarly to your machine wash, cool or lukewarm water is best for handwashing, as is a gentle detergent—ideally one that is made for the fabrication that you’re washing.
- Fill the sink or tub with the appropriate temperature water, and add in the recommended amount of detergent as per the label (if it doesn’t explicitly say how much to use, usually a teaspoon is enough, but you can add more as needed or if washing multiple items). Ensure the detergent is completely dissolved before adding clothing.
- Submerge your garment to soak for a few minutes, then begin to gently swish your items in the water until clean. Avoid scrubbing or twisting motions as this can damage the fabric.
- Drain the water then refill with clean, cool water. Submerge clothing again, and gently dunk and squeeze until the soap is removed, but ensure you’re not twisting or wringing the fabric.
- To get rid of excess water, place the item on a clean, dry towel and roll the towel and garment together. A gentle squeeze of the rolled towel will remove remaining water.
- Follow label direction for reshaping and drying. Generally, this will mean gently adjusting the garment into its original shape and size, and laying flat while out of direct sunlight.
Leif x Jac + Jack Laundry Duo
$69 at The Iconic
Delicate Wash
$30 at Bondi Wash
Wool And Cashmere Shampoo
$30 at The Laundress
Bon Savvy Silk Laundry Detergent
$38.95 at Amazon
Pressed And Perfected
For items that are wrinkled after being washed, a gentle iron or handheld steamer will help remove creases. According to The Laundress, ironing works well for tougher fabrics like cotton or linen, and will give you clean, crisp lines and pleats. However, a steamer will remove wrinkles from silk, lace, wool and cashmere and is generally a safer option for delicate fabrics.
While an iron may be more efficient, a steamer will help to refresh your items in between washes or visits to the dry cleaner.
That being said, when investing in new items for your wardrobe, be prepared to drop them off at the dry cleaners when necessary. You may need to be on a first-name basis with your dry cleaner if your items are dry clean only.
Some items like winter coats or blazers may be able to be spot cleaned or steamed as needed, but it’s advised to get these dry cleaned at least once or twice per season, or perhaps more regularly if you’re wearing it daily.
Lastly, don’t forget that sometimes your knits will pill. It’s perfectly normal, and easy to fix with a cashmere comb or fabric shaver.
CareStyle9 Steam Generator Iron
$499 at Braun
Cashmere Comb
$19 at Lee Mathews
Philips Fabric Shaver
$34.95 at Myer
Glide Max Easy-Store Ironing Board
$319.95 at Joseph Joseph
Storage Matters
You wouldn’t toss jewellery into a shoebox—so why cram your silk dresses or structured coats into the back of a closet?
For your best items, consider padded, wooden or velvet hangers that will help retain the shape of your garments. Hangers with wider edges will be sturdy enough to hold blazers and outerwear, while smaller velvet hangers will ensure your silk and satin items don’t slip. Also be mindful that hangers can leave nasty indents in the shoulders of your sweaters, so depending on the fabrication, it may be best to fold these.
To keep moths and bugs out of your wardrobe, cedar blocks or pouches are the way to go. Available in a variety of shapes and sizes, these can be added throughout your wardobe to naturally repel bugs and insects. Sprays and mists are also helpful if they contain essential oils that deter pests such as lavender, rosemary and thyme.
