Most of us have something in our wardrobe that can’t be easily replaced and requires extra attention to detail. Whether it’s a gown with intricate beading, a luxurious fur coat or your most beloved leather jacket–these investment pieces are expected to last a lifetime. It’s important to know how to properly care for one of a kind treasures, so we connected with Doug Greenberg, Vice President of Garde Robe, a luxury wardrobe storage service, to get the scoop on proper garment care.
How important is it to follow care labels on clothing?
Fashion companies generally do not know much about garment care, so the labels are generic based on the fabric, and they can often be wrong. When you are dealing with couture pieces, which are often made from exotic, delicate fabrics, be sure to use a dry cleaner with vast experience handling couture. There are only a dozen or so cleaners in the nation that can handle couture. Leading Cleaners is a good resource for finding the couture-level cleaner nearest you.
For the nostalgic individuals out there, what’s the best way to preserve and store special garments, like gowns, tuxes, vintage, furs, etc.?
Always be sure to clean garments before storing them for an extended period. Use breathable garment bags – never the dry cleaner’s bags. Use breathable canvas boxes for knits and folded items – all fabrics need to “breathe.” Use acid-free tissue to wrap pieces before storing them. Invest in proper hangers – “slimline” hangers are good for saving space, but they can ruin garments that are meant for wider, sturdier hangers. NO WIRE HANGERS!
In your opinion, what’s the number one most important garment care rule?
Avoid storing garments in basements, attics, or any place with fluctuations in temperature and/or humidity. These fluctuations “kill” garments. If you have a skylight or window in your closet, invest in a UV filter or your garments will fade from sunlight.
I remember you telling us that moths get into homes through pet kibble, is there anything else we should be wary about?
Purchasing inexpensive moth traps could save your wardrobe from infestation. Moth larvae feast on fabrics. The pheromone-based traps use female sex pheromones to lure males. The attractant is much stronger than natural pheromones and emerging males are not able to resist. They get trapped, and they cannot reproduce. Check/replace the traps every few months. If you see dead moths, call your local exterminator immediately. If you don’t see the male moths in the traps, you don’t have a problem.
Now that you know what to look for and how to store your items, see our helpful products below!
From left to right: Natural moth repellant // Natural cotton garment bag // Acid-free tissue paper // Cedar hangers