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Long-term care & maintenance of well-made pieces

Kari

Veteran

Since some of you have discussed sustainable choices in clothing, getting out of the buy-buy-buy cycle... one of the things I’ve been thinking about is that when I replace something that I may have bought in my early-mid 20’s that is wearing out, trying to replace it with something that is meant to last and caring for it.

For example: I have several beautiful real leather jackets that I want to care for. Or leather Frye shoes.

As opposed to the pleather jackets I bought about 4-6 years ago, same period as the jackets, that actually rotted and fell apart.

Or that I’ve invested more money into glasses (because I wear them daily and my prescription is stable, knock wood) than any other item - but like only one frame every 1-2 years - and as a result I have a well made small collection of cool artsy frames that are like jewelry I can select to wear.

Problem is, our culture is geared more to foster replacements than long term care or repairs.

What are your care tips (not so much things like how to make things last when laundering them, but like... conditioning or resoling shoes, etc.) that would help someone learn how to maintain what they have and make it last as long as possible? Any resources you would recommend checking out?

General

36 replies

Latest reply was from taylor

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I don't have any exciting tips. Just launder less and rotate shoes. But this is an great question and I will be following along with interest.

anne

Veteran

I got sick of the pleather jackets falling apart too, and in 2019 replaced with a moto jacket, but made of fabric. I've been happy so far with it.

I got my Naturalizer sandals (in finds) reheeled and the velcro replaced and they should do me for another summer - hopefully two more.

I buy from the Australian shop Portmans because their stuff really lasts - I have 20 year old dresses still going.

No advice re resources, but I'd like to read something (sorry, this is about laundry) about how to get rid of that slight greying around necklines etc on otherwise good condition clothes.

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Gigi

Veteran

One thing I've become aware of recently is how quickly the sole on shoes, especially at the toe, can wear thin. I recently took a pair of shoes to the cobbler because I needed a pair of shoelaces for them, and as she was examining the shoes she told me that the sole at the toe was extremely thin and needed to have a sole protector put on it before it was completely worn through. (A sole protector is just a very thin piece of some kind of textured plasticky material that goes over the top of the sole.) I promptly went back home and examined my other shoes for this type of wear and found it on a pair of Frye booties that I adore. So I took those in too.

Neither pair of shoes has seen a huge amount of wear, but they are high heels, so I suppose I put more weight in the front of the shoe. I think this premature wearing of the sole in front could be more of a problem on dressier shoes that are more delicate and not designed for heavy use.

I've also been conditioning the (nonsuede) heels on my Aquatalia booties after every wear outside when there is snow on the ground. The heels get easily faded and lose their shine due to the elements, even though the booties are supposed to be "weatherproof" (whatever that means). My cobbler told me that they are actually wrapped in a very thin piece of leather, which is very difficult to maintain. So he told me that if I am going to wear them in such weather, I need to condition them after every wear. I mean to contact Nordy's (where I bought them) and find out if it is OK to use a spray protectant on the heel part of the booties.

And when it comes to knee-high or OTK boots, it's a good idea to have something in them so that the shaft doesn't fall over in storage. I don't have anything fancy but just use a rolled-up magazine. My cobbler was very happy to see this. I think the leather gets permanently creased if you don't have some way to keep the shafts upright.

Runcarla

Veteran

Part of having fun with fashion is caring for my stuff!

I’m very good with waterproofing, conditioning, and polishing footwear. I’ve had heels fixed or replaced successfully, but found having soles replaced wasn’t successful (heavy and clunky). I’ve seen what Gigi describes - a patch of thin rubber on the bottom of shoes or boots. This works particularly well with leather soles - and improves traction when the original soles are slippery. I’ve adopted Angie’s trick of wiping down purses and footwear with baby wipes. Works for leather jackets and gloves as well.

Being handy with needle and thread, as well as a sewing machine, I effect my own clothing repairs. Mending a hole in a pocket, a split in a seam, or re-attaching a button right away gets a garment back into circulation and prevents further deterioration of the item. I’ve had success with patching items as well.

I have a set of tiny tools used for jewellery making that facilitate repairs on items with metal bits like bags, belts, and jewellery.

Just this week I did a repair on my very old, but favourite bikini. It has enamelled metal bits at each hip. One side had lost a bit of red enamel. I used a dab of red nail polish and it looks good as new. (FWIW, I used white nail polish to cover a ding in a porcelain bathtub, and it has withstood 5 years of use and is almost invisible.)

My experiments with dying items - leather or cloth - haven’t been successful, but I know some fabbers have had excellent results.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Gigi's comments on shoe and boot repair/ conditioning are helpful. I wipe my shoes and boots with mild vinegar/ water solution when coming in from inclement weather (especially where roads are treated with salt, condition/ polish regularly and treat even "waterproof" leather from time to time to preserve seals. Since I am very hard on the heels of my footwear I also replace lifts on a regular basis. I have also had some items resoled, or had rubberized material placed over leather soles to preserve the life of the shoe and also make it less slippery on pavement.

I think it's a good practice to deal with spills, mends, etc. as soon as possible.

I tend to tie repair and deep cleaning of items to the season -- I'll make sure everything is in good repair before putting it away for the year.

rachylou

Veteran

Heel and toe taps definitely. Also: air circulation in storage helps prevent deterioration, rot and moths !

Tina

Veteran

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.
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.
I store my purses/bags with fillers so that they aren’t flopping over or getting smushed.
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.
Another amateur seamstress here, I fix and alter most of my family’s clothes (unless it’s a major alteration, like a suit).
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.
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!

ETA I also have my own jewelry cleaner. Polishing my jewelry makes it feel new again- so shiny!

Bijou

Veteran

I have found the tips on this site useful in relation to caring for shoes:

http://www.shucare.com.au/shucare/hints--tips

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.

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Janet

(website)

Veteran

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.

Ginger

Veteran

"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.

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.

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.

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.

April

Veteran

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. Some people swear by putting their sweaters in the freezer for several days to kill any moth larvae.

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.

Don't dry-clean cashmere. It much prefers to be washed.

Deal with stains promptly.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Kari, you bring up an excellent point.

I think it's a lot about the CARE you give items that make them last longer and look fab too.

Do not use the tumble dryer
Store wardrobe items neatly, cleanly and comfortably
Don't throw your coats, jackets and bags on the floor
Deal with stains right away
Press items to look pristine
Wipe down shoes and bags regularly

That's all I can come up with after only one cuppa....

nemosmom

Veteran

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). 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.

I would love to find a way to keep leather jackets soft and supple, but I'm always scared I will damage them... 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)

kkards

Veteran

hmmm....just lost what i had typed

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
wash lights with lights, darks with darks, even in cold water washes. better safe than sorry
read all washing instructions before you start. and when in doubt, take it to the dry cleaner for an expert opinion

Gaylene

Veteran

OK, since you requested non-laundry tips, here’s mine:

Always use shoe trees in leather shoes and boots after wearing them. 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.

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.

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.

And, finally, a tip I read years ago:
”Don’t own more things than you are willing to look after.”
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?

Sal

Veteran

Treat stains promptly and appropriately. Stains are my most common form of discarding garments too early.

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.

I do clean the white "rubber" on sneakers regularly.

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.

Great ideas and thread here Kari - thank you.

DonnaF

Veteran

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.

Turn clothing inside out before sticking it in the wash. And for me, the dryer as well.

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.

Don't buy anything with cashmere while living in my house; it won't last a season before becoming moth-eaten.

Gigi

Veteran

Going off what Donna 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.

Runcarla

Veteran

Yes to aprons, and turning clothes inside out to wash (especially corduroy and shirts with applied print images.)

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YES. I always wear a BIG apron when I cook. And I cook a lot.

Anonymous

There are so many good tips here!

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.

Gretchen

Veteran

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.

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.

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.

Joy

Veteran

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.
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.
Wear an apron when doing anything messy.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I have re-dyed black cotton items successfully with RIT.

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!

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.)

Edited to add....never, every dry items that have elastic in them in the dryer! We do a LOT of hanging dry in our house.

Anonymous

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!

Kari

Veteran

Thanks, all! A lot of these I’m doing already but some I’d like to start (such as conditioning leather and waterproofing suede.)

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.

This is a great reference thread. Thanks!

Becky

I don't dry clean and never have either. It is hard on your clothes and has a big impact on the environment.

I basically avoid buying things that are dry clean only, especially dress shirt.

karen13

Veteran

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.

Some excellent reminders and new tips here.

The Cat

Veteran

Thank you so much, Kari and all who have contributed, for this interesting and useful thread. I will mark it as a favourite.

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.

I use an inexpensive and effective Norwegian skin cream, Spenol, to keep my leather items soft and supple.

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