https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:47:39 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces/page/2#post-2093547 Sat, 18 Jan 2020 15:48:42 +0000 taylor 2093547@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>These are some great tips. &nbsp;I am very picky and careful how I treat my clothes, shoes and hand bags.&nbsp;</p> <div>&nbsp;I stuff and store my bags , &nbsp;I keep my better shoes in boxes and wipe them with baby wipes after I wear them. &nbsp;I store my white items such as jackets and blouses in clear plastic so they don’t rub other items and prevent color transfer , &nbsp;also anything with sequins gets a clear bag so the sequins don’t catch and snag, anything that wrinkles easily gets a clear bag also. &nbsp;All of my &nbsp;good outerwear( Burberry &nbsp;trenches etc ) I keep in their original garment bag. All my leather jackets are conditioned.<br />I'm careful to always hang &nbsp; or fold my items , &nbsp;they are never thrown or laid carelessly on the floor.<br />My clothes , shoes and handbags are an investment, so I do try and look after them.</div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces/page/2#post-2093540 Sat, 18 Jan 2020 15:04:16 +0000 Anonymous 2093540@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Cut pool noodles work too as boot shapers! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces/page/2#post-2093523 Sat, 18 Jan 2020 13:37:56 +0000 Kari 2093523@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>“Boot shaper” is the English term. I use them too! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces/page/2#post-2093522 Sat, 18 Jan 2020 13:28:39 +0000 Synne 2093522@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>White and light colored clothes with mysterious yellow stains become crisp and fresh again when laid wet to dry in bright sunlight. I've had success on old food stains and yellowing armpits/necklines.</p> <p>My favorite pair of leather high boots is always stored with a "schuh baum". Not sure what this device is called in English (pic). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces/page/2#post-2093520 Sat, 18 Jan 2020 12:46:15 +0000 The Cat 2093520@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, the article that Fashintern just linked to, was in fact linked to in Inge's "Link Love" post two days ago, and (as you will see in my comment above) I linked to that post yesterday. But perhaps a good thing can't be said too often. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces/page/2#post-2093518 Sat, 18 Jan 2020 12:38:33 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2093518@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a great thread. I came across this &amp; wanted to add it. Darning socks sounds much easier than I ever thought! </p> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/jan/03/how-to-mend-more-and-buy-less?CMP=fb_gu&#038;utm_medium=Social&#038;utm_source=Facebook&#038;fbclid=IwAR3JsAQu7s2zZtGbMdAx1Vx2sQ5pgrjqbaLKbLRhnMGhWtXu9srS2yNI07g#Echobox=1578048589" rel="nofollow">https://www.theguardian.com/li.....1578048589</a></p> <p>Thanks to April &amp; JenniNZ for pointing me in the right direction. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces/page/2#post-2093208 Fri, 17 Jan 2020 05:59:34 +0000 The Cat 2093208@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>See also Inge's recent "Link Love" post about taking good care of clothes: <a href="https://youlookfab.com/2020/01/16/link-love-taking-good-care-of-your-clothes/" rel="nofollow">https://youlookfab.com/2020/01.....r-clothes/</a><br /> I am sure there will be good advice in those articles too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces#post-2093146 Thu, 16 Jan 2020 22:46:00 +0000 The Cat 2093146@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you so much, Kari and all who have contributed, for this interesting and useful thread. I will mark it as a favourite.</p> <p>I already do several of the things suggested here, but I got some new-to-me tips that I would like to try, like using baby wipes on purses and footwear plus repairing footwear with contact cement.</p> <p>I use an inexpensive and effective Norwegian skin cream, Spenol, to keep my leather items soft and supple. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces#post-2093088 Thu, 16 Jan 2020 16:43:08 +0000 karen13 2093088@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Velcro is the devil in the washer. Seal all Velcro fasteners upon them selves and then put item in a mesh bag before washing and drying. DH is slowly being trained to do this with his hiking clothes.&nbsp;<div><br /></div><div>Some excellent reminders and new tips here.&nbsp;</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces#post-2093003 Thu, 16 Jan 2020 05:56:11 +0000 Becky 2093003@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>I don't dry clean and never have either. It is hard on your clothes and has a big impact on the environment. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I basically avoid buying things that are dry clean only, especially dress shirt. </div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces#post-2092992 Thu, 16 Jan 2020 04:43:50 +0000 Kari 2092992@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, all! A lot of these I’m doing already but some I’d like to start (such as conditioning leather and waterproofing suede.)</p> <p>I don’t dry clean and never have. Is that odd? Isn’t it hard on your clothes and environmentally bad? I’ve heard so many dry cleaning horror stories. </p> <p>This is a great reference thread. Thanks! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces#post-2092891 Wed, 15 Jan 2020 18:41:56 +0000 Anonymous 2092891@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lot of the same as others: launder less (working on that...), air drying, dyeing to restore color, polishing shoes, repairing as possible, and not wearing my nice work clothes (and especially fragile tights) at home with kitty claws! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces#post-2092866 Wed, 15 Jan 2020 17:51:43 +0000 Jenava 2092866@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have re-dyed black cotton items successfully with RIT.</p> <p>I also have shoes that I got sole protectors on (particularly good if the toes are pointed!) and they do extend the life of shoes!</p> <p>I always user waterproofer spray on suede, and wear appropriate gear for bad weather (top of mind since it's snowy and salty outside today....I'm wearing snowboots in the office.) </p> <p></p> <p>Edited to add....never, every dry items that have elastic in them in the dryer!&nbsp; We do a LOT of hanging dry in our house.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces#post-2092721 Wed, 15 Jan 2020 05:01:15 +0000 Anonymous 2092721@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I grew up with parents that lived through the Great Depression and WWII. Nothing was thrown away. New shoes were polished with a thick layer of paste polish which was allowed to soak into the leather at least over night, wiped with a soft clean cloth and polished with a soft brush and rag. This was repeated often depending on the weather.<br /> An aunt always did up all the fastenings and hung her clothes. She also had most of her wardrobe dry cleaned, but washing was quite an ordeal...wrestling a washing machine outside on a nice day, heating water on a wood-burning stove and hauling out to the washer and rinse tubs, hanging things to dry on outdoor clotheslines and more that involved a complicated system of bleach and bluing. I would have opted for the cleaners for everything too.<br /> Wear an apron when doing anything messy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces#post-2092685 Tue, 14 Jan 2020 22:49:09 +0000 Gretchen 2092685@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I make a point after each trip to assess the condition of my clothes. As they come out of the suitcase, it’s a good time to check for laundry/mending/dry cleaning/cobbler visit. </p> <p>I also think doing a regular check for fit is a good practice. If $20 at the tailor improves the fit of the waist, or ensures the hem is hitting right it increases the wear.</p> <p>Finally, I think part of care is handing off for second use. Whether that’s donation to Dress for Success or other organizations, having a swap with a friend, or cutting down for rags, making responsible use when you no longer care to wear is important. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces#post-2092682 Tue, 14 Jan 2020 22:33:44 +0000 Anonymous 2092682@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>There are so many good tips here!&nbsp;</p> <p>I have a harder time doing upkeep or maintenance in a timely, consistent way, so I use calendar reminders on my phone and calendar. Once a month I'll see a pop-up and an email to help me gather up dry cleaning, shoes for the cobbler, alterations, etc. It's harder for me to keep up with those things in winter when it's cold and rainy, so building it into my weekend once a month really helps me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces#post-2092595 Tue, 14 Jan 2020 17:24:41 +0000 Angie 2092595@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>YES. I always wear a BIG apron when I cook. And I cook a lot.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces#post-2092501 Tue, 14 Jan 2020 11:29:36 +0000 Carla 2092501@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Yes&nbsp;</b>to aprons, and turning clothes inside out to wash (especially corduroy and shirts with applied print images.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces#post-2092446 Tue, 14 Jan 2020 03:30:06 +0000 Gigi 2092446@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Going off what&nbsp;<b>Donna&nbsp;</b>said, I pretty much always wear an apron if I'm doing any work in the kitchen. I rarely stain my clothes anymore since I started wearing aprons. I will even sometimes wear my apron to eat if I am having a dish that has a high possibility of staining (e.g., tomato sauce) and I am wearing a light-colored top. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces#post-2092382 Mon, 13 Jan 2020 21:13:31 +0000 DonnaF 2092382@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Never belly up to a stone counter in a T-shirt, sweater, or other knit without wearing an apron on top to protect it against micro holes.</p> <p>Turn clothing inside out before sticking it in the wash. And for me, the dryer as well.</p> <p>Remember that pins and brooches can cause permanent holes, especially on knits but on wovens as well. This includes Black Lives Matter buttons stuck to hanging church name tags if one is wearing a sweater; they can catch on a thread. Ask me how I know.</p> <p>Don't buy anything with cashmere while living in my house; it won't last a season before becoming moth-eaten. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces#post-2092344 Mon, 13 Jan 2020 18:49:22 +0000 Sal 2092344@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Treat stains promptly and appropriately.&nbsp; Stains are my most common form of discarding garments too early.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>I do send coats and jackets to the dry cleaner at the end of winter, and I get my leather shoes and boots resoled earlier rather than later.</p> <p>I do clean the white "rubber" on sneakers regularly.</p> <p>I try not to tumble dry clothes and never jeans.... I do sometimes put my gym wear and socks in the dryer but only as a last resort.</p> <p>Great ideas and thread here Kari - thank you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces#post-2092341 Mon, 13 Jan 2020 18:38:47 +0000 Gaylene 2092341@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OK, since you requested non-laundry tips, here’s mine:</p> <p>Always use shoe trees in leather shoes and boots after wearing them. &nbsp;Seriously, this tip can add YEARS to your good footwear. Instead of tossing shoes in a heap on the floor, wipe them off and put them away on a shelf or rack. Polish and condition weekly.&nbsp;<div><br /></div><div>Mend and repair small defects as quickly as possible so repairs stay invisible. Deal with spots and stains immediately. Always check items before putting them away. Store only clean clothes.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Take a couple of seconds to hang and fold carefully so items stay uncrushed and wrinkle-free. Be nice to your clothes. Invest in a clothes brush, sweater comb, lint brush, and jewelry cloth—and use them regularly.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>And, finally, a tip I read years ago:&nbsp;<br />”Don’t own more things than you are willing to look after.”<br />The original author of this quote is lost in time, but the thought has lingered in my brain for years. Applies to ALL my possessions, not just my wardrobe. If I can’t be bothered to take of something, why do I have it?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces#post-2092333 Mon, 13 Jan 2020 18:05:14 +0000 kkards 2092333@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>hmmm....just lost what i had typed</p> <ul> <li>zip, hook, snap before washing, throw bras in a mesh bags, this will keep the hooks, zippers etc from getting caught on other items in the load</li> <li>wash lights with lights, darks with darks, even in cold water washes. better safe than sorry</li> <li>read all washing instructions before you start. and when in doubt, take it to the dry cleaner for an expert opinion</li> </ul> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces#post-2092298 Mon, 13 Jan 2020 16:16:12 +0000 nemosmom 2092298@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div>I'm not sure how much difference it makes, but I treat new shoes with a protector spray before the first wear and am diligent about wiping them down at the end of the day. I brush my suede shoes when I dust the closet (about every other month).&nbsp; I re-wax my Barbour jacket every season or two (depending on how often I've worn it). And, I send wool coats to the cleaners at the end of each season.&nbsp; <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I would love to find a way to keep leather jackets soft and supple, but I'm always scared I will damage them...&nbsp; The cobbler I had in SF would do restoration, cleaning, and dying on just about any leather piece (handbag, belt, jacket, shoes) but my guy here won't do it (and I'm not sure I would let him, honestly)<br /></div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces#post-2092269 Mon, 13 Jan 2020 15:21:42 +0000 Angie 2092269@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b></b><b>Kari</b><b></b>, you bring up an excellent point.&nbsp;</p> <p>I think it's a lot about the CARE you give items that make them last longer and look fab too. <ul> <li>Do not use the tumble dryer</li> <li>Store wardrobe items neatly, cleanly and comfortably</li> <li>Don't throw your coats, jackets and bags on the floor :)</li> <li>Deal with stains right away</li> <li>Press items to look pristine</li> <li>Wipe down shoes and bags regularly</li> </ul> That's all I can come up with after only one cuppa.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces#post-2092262 Mon, 13 Jan 2020 15:00:51 +0000 April 2092262@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Get your woolens cleaned (or put in dryer with Dryel) before you store them after the season -- moth damage is extremely expensive to repair and isn't always possible.&nbsp; Some people swear by putting their sweaters in the freezer for several days to kill any moth larvae.</p> <p>When you buy shoes in an odd color or a metallic, protect them right away with clear spray because you're unlikely to find an exact color match in shoe polish if they get scuffed.</p> <p>Don't dry-clean cashmere.&nbsp; It much prefers to be washed.</p> <p>Deal with stains promptly.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces#post-2092258 Mon, 13 Jan 2020 14:47:00 +0000 Ginger 2092258@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>"A stitch in time saves nine" is really true. One tiny fix saves a huge one down the road. That goes for small sweater holes and snags as well as seam openings in pockets and other things as well.</p> <p>I've had a few ongoing problems with moths in the off season, partly because it's so long. This year I plan to wash or dry clean my woolens when I'm done for the winter, then fold them up, slip in cotton pillowcases, clip the pillowcases closed, and store in boxes. Moths don't like eating cotton, but the cotton will also let the garments breathe, unlike being sealed in plastic. I can use this for longterm storage for my vintage knits that don't get much wear as well.</p> <p>Sometimes boots or shoe soles start to separate. They can be repaired at home with contact cement. It's similar to rubber cement, but much stronger. Apply on both sides, wait a few seconds, and then press together. My dad used to repair lots of our shoes that way.</p> <p>The other thing is to stay on top of heel tip replacements, or get heel taps. I'm a heel-first walker and they wear down so quickly. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces#post-2092224 Mon, 13 Jan 2020 13:39:23 +0000 Janet 2092224@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Note about keeping the shape of tall boots -- I've done the rolled-up magazine thing in the past, but it tends to be a little top heavy and the boots fall over. Cut up cheap pool noodles, however, are the best! They are light but the perfect shape and you can cut them to the proper length to fit the boot shaft. I even store the boots in the boxes over the summer with the pool noodles inserted. I think I got the pool noodles at the dollar store, so super cheap solution.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces#post-2092199 Mon, 13 Jan 2020 10:05:14 +0000 Bijou 2092199@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have found the tips on this site useful in relation to caring for shoes:</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.shucare.com.au/shucare/hints--tips">http://www.shucare.com.au/shucare/hints--tips</a></p> <p>The product that I use and love to restore my black suede shoes is the suede, nubuck and fabric reviver (photo below) - which dyes the shoe a nice dark black. I then brush the suede pile so that it looks restored to new again. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/long-term-care-maintenance-of-well-made-pieces#post-2092189 Mon, 13 Jan 2020 05:42:53 +0000 Tina 2092189@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My husband is very good about spraying new leather items with protectant. We make an effort to reapply when we think it may be losing its effectiveness. I also got a little brush for suede, it works really well to ‘liven up’ the nap or to clean them.<br /> I have a leather conditioner that i’ve used on our leather jackets plus DH used an oil rub of some sort on his work boots for added longevity.<br /> I store my purses/bags with fillers so that they aren’t flopping over or getting smushed.<br /> Like Gigi, I keep the fillers that come with tall boots and store them that way. My dress shoes each have their own plastic see-through box so I can see what’s inside plus it protects them.<br /> Another amateur seamstress here, I fix and alter most of my family’s clothes (unless it’s a major alteration, like a suit).<br /> Having a background in sewing and knowing fabric and construction helps me weed out some items at retail. I am trying to shop judiciously while still having some fun with it. It’s hard to experiment when you know that any failures might just end up in a trash heap.<br /> For clothes I try to have designated clothes for certain tasks so that I don’t ruin or cause unnecessary wear on my better clothes. I have ample storage and keep my closet neat and organized, this is something I thoroughly enjoy!</p> <p>ETA I also have my own jewelry cleaner. Polishing my jewelry makes it feel new again- so shiny! </p>