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Wardrobe Maintenance Tips

I think almost every blogger has done a post about wardrobe maintenance, but I'd just like to add my two cents worth.
Washing Black Clothes

  • Put off washing the garment as much as possible, so it doesn't fade as fast.
  • Before putting the item in a washing machine, turn it inside out. This also slows fading.
  • Always wash with like colors. This may sound really obvious, but a lot of people don't do this.
  • For black items that are already faded, stop by a fabric store or a Walmart and buy fabric dye. I recommend Rit brand, and it's about $3 a bottle.
  • Always pay attention to the washing instructions on the tag. I once made the mistake of dying a dry clean only skirt in my washing machine. By the time it was finished, the skirt was ripped to shreds. 
Velvet
  • Let velvet air dry, and make sure the threads are all facing the same direction.
  • Never iron velvet unless you plan on making cool patterns like this:
source
  • You can, however, steam velvet if need be.

Fraying Fabrics
  • If you want to stop fraying edges, just brush on a coat of clear nail polish. Stores sell special anti-fraying glue, but this works just as well.
Leather
  • Try to keep a bottle of black (or white) shoe polish around.
  • To keep leather supple, rub on petroleum jelly (vaseline).
  • If you don't like the color or if the leather is too scuffed, fabrics sell special leather paint in many colors. 
  • I've also painted shoes with just acrylic paint,  but I do not recommend it as much. It doesn't work nearly as well as the leather paint, but acrylic is still good for painting on little details like this.
If anything has any tips I may have left out, feel free to comment below. 
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Comments

  1. CherishMay 20, 2012 at 4:45 PM

    Very useful tips. :)

    I just got a few velvet things so I'm happy to find some good advice on how to care for them. :))

    ReplyDelete

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