November 2005 Issue
In this months Issue:
Take Good Care of Your Sweaters-So They'll Take Good Care of You
Looking to Save Time?
Home Laundry Tip
Button Up?
Take Good Care of Your Sweaters-So They'll Take Good Care of You
As the temperature starts to plummet, we all want to stay warm. Sweaters are a fashionable and functional way to achieve this goal. Keeping sweaters in good shape, however, can sometimes be a challenge. Most sweaters should last for at least four years of regular wear. If your sweaters aren't holding up, here are some things to consider:
If your sweater has any kind of a stain, spot clean first with a prewash spot and stain remover, then examine the sweater's care label instructions. Acrylic, ramie and some other types of sweaters can be machine washed, but be sure to turn them inside out and use cold or warm water. If the sweater seems too delicate, you can hand wash it in cool water and dish soap (yes, really!). Squeeze out the suds carefully; don't wring or rub. Rinse the sweater and then lay it on a white towel. If you want to get excess moisture out, you can roll the sweater up in the towel and then lay it flat.
If the care label says you can tumble dry the sweater, go ahead. Be sure to use low temperature and don't leave the sweater in the dryer for too long or it can shrink. Whether you air dry or use the dryer, be sure to make sure it's completely dry before putting it away.
One of the biggest complaints about sweaters is shrinkage. If you shrink a sweater accidentally, there are two methods we recommend you try (sorry, no guarantees!) to bring your sweaters back to their original size. First method: Soak the sweater in a solution of water and hair conditioner and pull gently to reshape. If that doesn't work, try this: add two tablespoons of shampoo to a gallon of lukewarm water. Dip the garment until wet, squeeze and don't rinse. Reshape on a flat surface.
When in doubt, do nothing. Bring it to Pressed4Time, we're the pros!
Looking to Save Time?
At Pressed4Time, we know you're busy. By using our service, you're already saving time and aggravation. We have some other time-saving tips that we hope will be helpful to you!
. Lay your clothes out the night before, including accessories. If there are problems (stains, missing buttons, wrinkles, etc.) you can either take care of them or find another item.
* Buy clothing that doesn't require a lot of work. Look for fabrics that don't need to be ironed or are wrinkle-resistant.
* Stick with solid basic colors for items like shoes and handbags. They're classic and easier to match with outfits.
* Use catalogues and on-line shopping. They're fast, convenient and easy ways to save time. Worried about sizes? Some online sites now offer programs where you can provide your measurements and "try on" items virtually!
* Don't overstuff washing machines (you'll get wrinkles!) and be sure to hang items up right away.
* Always, always, always, take the plastic off dry cleaned items when you get home.
Home Laundry Tip
If lint is a problem, it's time for you to use your detective skills to figure out why. First, check the pockets of any items to make sure there are no tissues, because a tissue will shred all over the place and make a linty mess. Here are some other reasons you might be having lint problems:
* You've overloaded the washer with too many items * You didn't use enough detergent (always follow label directions) *The lint filter needs to be cleaned (check often!)
One way to reduce lint is to use fabric softener; you can also try adding a cup of plain vinegar during the rinse cycle.
Button Up?
Tired of buttons that fall off? When you buy a new garment, carefully dab a spot of superglue on the threads in front. This might help prevent or at least delay the inevitable unraveling that occurs. (And if you notice loose buttons, be sure to tell us! We'll be happy to fix them for you.)