Luxury Clothes Care Tips
to Protect Your Investment

Luxury clothes care tips to protect your wardrobe investment. What good is a cashmere sweater after a waiter spills a glass of red wine on it? A leather jacket that's mottled with mildew? 

If you know these luxury clothes care tips, they're as good as new. Most of today's fabrics and blends are actually designed to be cared for at home. 

Considering the average load of laundry is valued at about $850 and that an average family sends eight to ten loads of laundry for a spin in the washing machine each week, the answer is as essential for your wallet as it is for your wardrobe. These luxury clothes care tips can save your wardrobe.

Luxury Clothes Care Tips - The Basics

It's new —so fresh, it's hot—but how do I take care of it after I get it home? Regarding luxury clothes care, it pays to know your fibers and clean them accordingly. 

With any fabric blend, tailor your cleaning to the garment's most delicate component. The information—and suggested cleaning methods—are on the garment's care tag.

The cleaning care will depend on whether the fiber, trim, or binding requires hand washing, dry cleaning, or low-temperature washing and drying. 

When in doubt, wash according to the primary fiber in the blend. It pays to know your fibers. Here's a guide to luxury clothes care by fabric type:

• Cashmere: Got a red wine spill? Wash on the delicate cycle—or by hand—in cold water. Don't wring cashmere—you'll damage the fibers. Reshape and lay flat to dry away from direct heat or sunlight. To remove excess water after washing, gently roll in a towel.

• Linen: Linen washes well because it is stronger when wet than when dry. A 60-degree Celsius wash is most effective since that temperature smooths the surface of the flax fibers, helping stains come out quickly. Don't overload the washing machine when washing linen, as the highly absorbent fiber can soak up twice its weight in water. Always iron linen when damp—first on the wrong side to remove creases, then on the right side to bring out the fabric's natural shine. 

• Pashmina: Be bold and wash this silk-cashmere blend. It spent 30 to 60 minutes in water just below boiling, followed by two washes during the dying process, which made it look so lustrous. Wash in warm water with a gentle, natural shampoo such as Aveda. Lay flat to dry. Machine drying can damage fibers.

Luxury Clothes Care Tips by Fabric Type

• Beaded blue jeans:  Turn inside out and wash in cold water, using the machine's hand wash or delicate cycle. Dry flat or on a dryer rack, not in the dryer. 

• Lycra: If the other fibers in the garment are machine washable, this is the recommended method for cleaning Lycra. 

• Hemp: This natural fabric washes well because it is stronger wet than dry. Machine wash in warm or cool water, permanent press, or casual cycle. Hang to dry. Dry cleaning is not recommended.

• Cotton: Don't get in the habit of taking your cotton garments to the dry cleaner. The chemical process may distort the color. 

• Dry by weight: First, dry lightweight clothes separately to prevent damage and shrinking. Sensitive fabrics like lingerie should be dried when the machine is cool. Next, dry average-weight garments such as pants and dress shirts. Finally, dry heavier items like towels and jeans, which can withstand the hot drum.

• Dry fuzzy stuff separately: Separate lint-shedders, such as fuzzy sweatshirts, chenille robes, flannels, and towels, from lint-keepers, such as knits, corduroys, and permanent press and synthetic fabrics.

• Leather: Gently blot liquid stains with a clean cloth or wipe with a clean, damp cloth. Treat mildew stains on leather garments by blotting a small amount of antiseptic mouthwash on the affected area. 

Cleaning Shoes and Handbags

To keep shoes and handbags looking like new, store them in their original shoeboxes or clear plastic shoe bags. 

Even if you don't venture out in them regularly, your shoes can become stained and damaged by hanging out in your closet, open and exposed, quietly gathering dust.

Dust causes significant damage to shoes. So keep your shoes - especially your good ones - covered. 

• Vinyl or patent-leather shoes and handbags can be refreshed with a spray of Pledge furniture polish. Alternatively, spray the furniture cleaner onto a lint-free cloth and buff. Revive with a spritz of Pledge furniture polish directly on them. Alternatively, spray the furniture cleaner onto a lint-free cloth and buff away.

• Linen mules or handbags can be sponged clean with warm water and mild soap, such as Dove, dissolved in warm water. To prevent discoloration, leave heavy soil to a handbag or shoe repair shop, or specialty dry cleaner.

• On leather, skip the hairspray remedy you read about. It's sticky, dulling, and doesn't work. Vinegar, however, does. Remove stains with a bit of household white vinegar on a soft rag. Rub the cloth on the stained area to remove it. 
  

Now that you know the basics of luxury clothes care, get out there and strut your stuff confidently! No matter what manner of stain or blight befalls you, you've got it covered.