Having an impressive office

A smart suit for work is one of the biggest clothing investments most people make. A good quality suit should last for years. Most suits are labeled as dry clean only, but do you know how to make the most of your dry cleaning and how to care for your suit between dry cleans? To keep your suit in peak condition for as long as possible, here are some maintenance tips.

Brush regularly

Use a soft clothes brush to remove dust, lint and crumbs from your suit, particularly in the seams. Always brush the wool downwards, so you are not going against the nap and damaging the fibres. Give the jacket and pants/skirt a good shake when done and hang them in fresh air to remove any odours.

Use a steam cleaner

A steam cleaner can remove wrinkles from your suit before wearing and also deodorises. Always set the steam to the lowest heat setting. You can purchase a garment steamer at a department store to use at home.

Rotate what you wear

Switch between your suits so you are not exposing one to especially heavy wear and you have time to care for the one in your closet. Where it is an option, buy 2 pairs of pants or skirts per jacket and rotate these, as the lower half of the suit is more likely to become creased and stained. If on a budget, buy one really good quality jacket then a cheaper skirt or pair of pants to match; it is the jacket people really notice.

Restrict the dry cleaning

Only dry clean when absolutely necessary. This might be as little as 2 or 3 times a year or when a tough stain needs removing. The liquid solvent used in dry cleaning is quite harsh on the fabric. Repeated use will remove the natural oil from the wool and affect its appearance.

Dry cleaning is a great way to extend the life of your suit, but only when used in a limited fashion. You can ask dry cleaning companies like Master 2 Your Door to learn more about how often a particular garment needs to be dry cleaned.

Find a good dry cleaner

A good dry cleaner is a local one who won't charge the earth and preferably does the cleaning at their own premises, not at a larger off-site facility. This reduces the chances of your suit being lost. On top of this, you can tell a good dry cleaner when they give your suit a quick check for loose buttons or heavy marks when you drop it off.