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Style & Beauty

How to look after things - tips and tricks

67 replies

Piccolino2 · 18/03/2018 11:46

I realise this post may make me look like an idiot but here goes.... I’ve reached my late 30’s and started to buy some really good quality things that I want to look after and I want them to last for ages. It has now occurred to me that I need some tips (especially for shoes). How did I never learn this stuff before??!

So far I’ve got:

  • cashmere bags - to prevent moth holes and those wooden disks to deter them


  • proper handwashing of cashmere/wool jumpers - using woolite - is there anything better?


  • using a good cashmere comb on jumpers to debobble- hate doing this but it looks so much better


  • shoes - I need to start using protector spray - but how often? How do I actually clean muddy leather boots and with what? What about suede cleaning? What do the shoe brushes do and what about buffing?


  • leather nourishing - got some Renapur from Amazon to treat boots, shoes and handbags. How often?


  • washing:

Denim - cold wash, as little as possible
Woolite dark for dark loads
Bio for whites - will it fade colours?
I also put vanish white/colours in with the load. Best stain removers?
I recently got some mould and oil stains out of clothes with some fairy and a nail brush so very pleased with that too.

Dry cleaning - I’ve started trying to use the dry cleaners as little as possible - never feel my clothes are really clean after, I’ve been lazy and surprisingly a lot of things can just be hand washed or machine hand washed.

Anyone use a steamer instead of ironing? Any good recs?

Jewellery - real stuff to be cleaned with some fairy and a toothbrush at least weekly.

Any tips and tricks welcome Smile
OP posts:
bluejelly · 18/03/2018 14:56

I have no extra tips but I like your list 😊

bluejelly · 18/03/2018 14:57

I thought of one! I regularly re-dye indigo denim with Dylon and it comes up like new. Saves lots of £ on having to buy new jeans

Crikeyblimey · 18/03/2018 15:00

My very stylish (but at times very frugal on t of necessity) mother always hung clothes inside out (probably not jackets but definitely knitwear and shirts etc. ) She said it helps keep them in good order. Shoes and bags always kept in boxes / bags.

DameDoom · 18/03/2018 15:20

Piccolino2 that is a great list. I put those armpit protectors in clothes to cut down on washing and always use panty liners. I sound delightful. Over-washing wrecks clothes so I try to keep them fresh in other ways.

JDSTER · 18/03/2018 15:29

A good list indeed picolino. I’ll be interested in some answers, particularly best stain remover for clothes. My understanding is bio (certainly powder) contains bleach so I use for whites only and colour liquid for colours. Like you I use woolite for woollens.

ChishandFips33 · 18/03/2018 16:38

Dame tell me more about your pant lingered arm pits - do you need to trim to shape/size?

ChishandFips33 · 18/03/2018 16:41

I use the velvety hangers to make sure my jumpers stay put and don't end up with lumps in odd places

Sorry can't be of more help!

DameDoom · 18/03/2018 18:15

I trim sometimes. They are just cheap shields I buy off ebay.I'm not really that sweaty but find they are brilliant if you are wearing cashmere and don't want to wash the goodness out of it. I use panty liners so that I don't have to get my leather leggings cleaned often or erm... ever Blush. I do shower twice a day - am not total minger

MidnightVelvetthe7th · 18/03/2018 18:18

Can anyone link to some decent pit pads please!

FullLaundryBasket · 18/03/2018 18:24

Most of your list sounds sensible but cleaning jewellery once a week, will you really have time for that? I'm not convinced it's necessary?

Piccolino2 · 18/03/2018 18:54

Great posts about armpit protectors although I’m not very sweaty at all - more likely my kids will daub something on me!

I have velvet hangers and love them. I read today about folding jumpers instead of hanging so that they keep their shape in the shoulders. I do a bit of both so will be moving the hanging ones over.

Re the jewellery - I just mean the things I wear often that have stones that get smudged (diamonds, sapphires etc) mainly. I just have a little pot in the bathroom with soapy water and chuck them in once or twice a week while I have a shower. When I get out give them a little scrub and leave them to dry while I get dressed. Takes a minute, although been thinking about my makeup brushes and don’t have time for that!!

OP posts:
Piccolino2 · 18/03/2018 18:55

Anyone know how to clean leather leggings? I read that you can submerge them in water and then put them on high in the dryer, helps them retain their shape. However I think I’m too scared to do this!!!

OP posts:
bananafish81 · 18/03/2018 19:02

I clean my leather leggings by wiping them gently with a damp cloth for any superficial marks, then popping them in a freezer bag with a couple of drying sheets and bunging them in the freezer

That should kill any bacteria - and a scented dryer sheet freshens them up. Does the trick for me!

MikeUniformMike · 18/03/2018 19:04

Wash clothes inside out. It helps them keep their colour.
Don't wear the same shoes every day if you can help it.
Store knitted stuff folded.
Store woollens in airtight boxes.
Dried bay leaves are believed to deter moths.
Change into your comfy round-the-house clothes when you get home.

bananafish81 · 18/03/2018 19:05

Tbh cashmere jumpers in the freezer to minimise washing is no bad thing either. Ideally you want to wash / clean them as little as possible, so freezing woollens is a great way to keep them fresh. Kills the moths too!

ChishandFips33 · 18/03/2018 20:42

Ha Dame I was speed reading your first post and thought you used pant liners as arm pit protectors - hence my question about trimming! I genuinely thought they were a great alternative use lol!

Sorry if I sounded invasive!

BikeRunSki · 18/03/2018 20:57

Polish leather shoes and boots with a proper nourishing, wax leather polish . Wipe off mud with a damp cloth. Allow to dry. Rub in polish. Wipe of excess, buff up with shoe brush.

JaceLancs · 18/03/2018 21:50

I have a lot of jewellery and would recommend buying a sonic cleaner
I use washing up
Liquid a bit of washing powder n some alcohol mixed with water in mine

EggysMom · 18/03/2018 21:56

I didn't know people hung their jumpers up - I've always folded and put them in drawers / on shelves. Same with t-shirts.

Piccolino2 · 18/03/2018 22:56

Oohh, good idea about the sonic cleaner! I want one for my utility room once my house extension is done.

I’ve just bought an electric shoe buffing kit and some leather cleaner. DH has now said he’ll do all our shoes once a month!

OP posts:
Piccolino2 · 18/03/2018 22:57

I don’t have any comfy round the house clothes so that needs to go on my list too! Off to look at cashmere joggers.....

OP posts:
EnidButton · 19/03/2018 01:25

Great thread idea!

I use Town Talk jewellery cleaner (TT jewel sparkle) on my real jewellery. It's fantastic for diamonds. Makes my engagement ring look brand new. Also have a silver cleaning cloth for silver jewellery. (You can't use the TT cleaner stuff on certain softer stones and on costume jewellery.)

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Destinysdaughter · 19/03/2018 11:28

Napisan is great for stains, just presoak and wash!

GammaDelta · 20/03/2018 11:14

Good post

TheXXFactor · 20/03/2018 11:28

You don't need to use coloured shoe polishes unless shoes are scuffed. Just whack on some Urad leather cleaner from Lakeland - smells great, no faff, doesn't need wiping off. I actually enjoy cleaning shoes now (sad). For patent shoes, use Windowlene & wipe off.

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