Laundering Anne Fontaine blouses

Patience

I'm taking a poll-- if you own an AF blouse, how do you launder it? Are you pleased with the results? Please specify the color of your blouse too. Thanks.

17 years ago

Dressing

8 replies

Latest reply was from shiny

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I've been struggling with this too, Patience. I have a black and a white AF blouse, and I had my black one dry cleaned. I'm not happy with their pressing service. I think they just use a giant press and don't change the temperature on it or anything. I got my shirt back and all the ruffles were squashed. One of my silk shirts came back all shiny, too. I've asked around and done some Internet research, and it seems other cleaners are not much better. I haven't taken my chef blouse to get cleaned because I'm worried it will get ruined, and some cleaners around here state outright that they are not responsible for any damages, period. When I was in the AF store, the salespeople actually said that the company recommends that you hand wash (or gentle cycle in a lingerie bag) the blouses. I might do that, and then soft press the top myself. I can't decide which is better.

17 years ago

Patience

Veteran

I should say that I have been laundering mine in a laundry bag on the delicate cycle and then ironing myself. I refuse to dry clean any more white items. Since it is button down, I could probably get it laundered but I'm not ready to take the chance. This process has not been too difficult-- I think linen is easier to care for this way compared to crisp cotton. But I was still curious if anyone had tried the dry cleaners.

17 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

OK, while I don't own any designer shirts or blouses--I do launder ALL my clothes separately from the rest of my family--and I wash most things on gentle and air dry and press by hand. I have yet to have any difficulty doing so. I do have a few things that I was by hand, wring by hand (or not at all) and lay flat to dry. The only things I put in the dryer are simple cotton knits (like tee's and pj's) socks and skivvies.

I think it's important to take good care of your clothes, but you also have to be realistic about that process.

17 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I washed my white AF shirt by hand, and it came out great. It is a cotton spandex blend with cotton organza puff sleeves, and I didn't even need to iron it, just laid it flat to dry. I suspect my black top will be same, although, it will probably still need some light pressing because it's a woven cotton.

Most of the my other items I wash in a lingerie bag, and air dry--they come out great. Silk stuff I have to dry clean. I am going to see if I can find a better cleaner though, and possibly request that they not press anything (I feel better doing that myself anyway, and don't mind ironing). To freshen dry clean only items, I have been doing as Shiny suggested and using Dry-el. That has been working wonderfully.

17 years ago

shiny

Veteran

"wring by hand" -

Try laying the garment flat on a clean towel, then roll the towel up, pressing gently. Works like a charm.

17 years ago

Anonymous

My only thought here is to use some kind of water conditioner to keep the white from getting dingy looking. I'm using Oxy Clean with my detergent. Some people use baking soda. It might depend on the part of the country you are living in. I noticed after moving to our current home my whites would not stay white without a boost.

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I have two AF blouses (white and cream). I wash them myself. I pop them in the special laundry bag that they provided and launder the lot on our hand wash cycle in COLD water. I hang dry them and iron. The result has been very satisfying. They still look brand new.

17 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Whites staying white:

Hanging the garment to dry outside in the direct sunlight can whiten up linen. Don't ask me why or how... I just know it works.

17 years ago

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