Whiskers

Anonymous

I have some pants that tend to "whisker" more than others. They don't fit tighter than others but probably just the fabric. Once whiskered, I don't know of an alternative other than to take them to the dry cleaners (for the dry clean only fabrics). This is frustrating for me when the whiskers happen after only one wear. While I like to keep my clothes clean, I typically wear a pair of trousers about 3 times before laundering.

Does anyone have practical solutions for eliminating or reducing whiskers on what I already own and things to look out for in new trousers I buy in the future?

18 years ago

Body Type

6 replies

Latest reply was from shiny

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Which pants are these?

I have a pair of pants like that and it's in the fabric. I iron the whiskers out quickly before I wear them again in-between dry cleaning trips. Hope that sound like a better solution.

18 years ago

Anonymous

Thanks Angie - these are beige Ann Taylor pants. It also happens with some cotton blends but those are easier since they're not dry clean. Do you have suggestions on how to iron pants that are meant to be dry cleaned - is it just a low iron setting? I'm concerned that I might burn them?

18 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

What are whiskers in pants? I thought whiskers were an intentional effect on denim--faded lines that are worn into the jeans...fashionalbe a few seasons ago.

18 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Turn them inside out, and take a clean white hankerchief. Wet the hankerchief under the faucet, and then wring it out until it's nearly dry. Lay the hankerchief over the garment and iron the hankerchief. Steam will release.

You want to turn inside out so the garment doesn't get that shiny look that happens when you iron things on the outside. And the slightly wet, clean hankerchief is a safer bet than using the iron on a steam setting, plus prevents the iron from scorching the fabric or leaving any residue.

(As I said... I'm the laundry queen... )

18 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Perfect advice from Shiny. I'm going to clone your laundry skills!

Whiskers occur when you cross your legs, Nicole. And the creases stay and don't fall out unless you re-steam.

18 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Another thing you can try is Dry-El. I dry-el most of my dry-clean only things, and some of my garments that could be washed but I want to minimize the amount of laundering wear-and-tear. This freshens up the garment, you can even treat stains, and sorta steams it in the dryer. Just be sure to remove the garments immediately and hang them up.

I'd try this first, and if the whiskers haven't fallen out, THEN try ironing.

I only take my stuff to the dry cleaners once a year, at the end of the season before putting into storage. Dry cleaning can be very harsh on clothes. (Not to mention the environment)

18 years ago

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