How to look after things - tips and tricks

[Piccolino2]

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

Pool noodles in your knee-high boots helps keep their shape.

A cup of vinegar added to the final rinse makes your cashmere extra fluffy.

A splash of vinegar is also good for the final hair rinse

Not that I'm obsessed with vinegar or anything

Boot jacks in your boots to keep the shape. Lavender around cashmer to keep moths away. I also deepfreeze all my cashmere anually to kill and eggs which may have designs on my stuff.
Handbags and shoes i use a little saddle soap and water with a cloth to clean them then polish with neutral/black as required then buff with a shoe bruss for a nice finish. I spray/respray all suede with waterproofing treatment every few months and rewax all the Barbour coats every 2 or so years.
Silk knickers, socks and undies go in a zip up bag then in the washing machine on handwash using cashmere/silk wash.
Dylon travel hand wash is amazing on stains and marks on silk and delicates (costs about £1, has a yellow lid).
I rarely wash cashmere/silk as natural fibres don't cause and hold sweat as man made fibres do.
Thst is all i can think of!

use flat boot shapers like these and they can double up as sleeve shapers for drying woollens without shrinking.

www.bootshaper.co.uk/

Wash wool with baby shampoo

I read somewhere that moths were a problem in the past because people washed their clothes less often. Apparently, moths aren't keen on clean clothes, so I would say don't worry too much about putting nice jumpers in bags, so long as they are clean.

My Dad always used to say that when you hang things on a rail with a clothes hanger, the hook part should face the door, rather than the curved part. The idea is that the clothes are a few millimetres further away from the door and won't get trapped.

My do as I say (but don't do) tip would be timely shoe repairs. Too often I have noticed that shoes need re-heeling, but worn them anyway... Note to self. must try harder.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good cashmere comb? All the ones I have seen have bad reviews.

Leather leggings? Are you in Whitesnake?

Moths will eat clean wool.

To add to the folding knitwear - I used to fold mine like they do in shops, like the attached photo. But then I had a moth incident and my favourite jumper was attacked with a few small holes, and they were all in the most obvious area - the front chest. Because of the folding method.

Luckily it is a fairly voluminous, black jumper and the holes were quite small, so I rescued it with that iron-on material designed for patching holes in jeans, on the inside of the jumper.

But now I fold my sweaters with the front folded inside, so the exposed side of the folded garment is the back of the jumper (does that make sense?!). At least it's slightly less noticeable/can be hidden under a jacket or coat if any moth holes are on the back.

Agree that most things can be hand washed. I put a great many things through the washing machine, including cashmere knitwear and other delicate items. Turn them inside out, put them in a wash bag, delicate cycle, using the right laundry product. Usually fine.

Oh, and always iron using a pressing cloth/piece of cotton or linen, and on the "wrong" side. Otherwise you can get shiny iron marks.

I always wash clothes and hang on outside washing line inside out. It really helps stop fading (esp.denim) and stops the sun bleaching coloured clothes.

Also, the sun can be used for deliberately fading (or removing altogether) stains and marks, things like ketchup on a white T-shirt. I always try this before resorting to chemical stain removers which are bad for fabrics and the environment.

I previously had an old washing machine which sometimes left marks on clothes, so I turned every top, skirt, trousers, inside out (not undies or socks). I could then wear things if the mark was on the inside.

However, I noticed how much longer fabrics lasted so always do it now.

Jewelry - don't use a toothbrush!! The nylon bristles are tougher than most metals and will leave scratch marks on gold/silver and softer stones!

Do use a sonic cleaner if you have one or pop in to local jeweler's shop - most will clean for free or a small donation while you pop off for a coffee - or just swish in soapy water, rinse well and well.

I never knew there was such a thing as a cashmere comb so thank you for that. My dh got a cashmere jumper for Christmas last year and it has bobbled like crazy! I shall pop into EWM and see if they sell them there as they say the do online. I thought the only way to get rid was to use a battery clothes debobbler which I bought from Woolies many years ago.

Loving the tips about a pressing cloth for ironing - I hate those iron marks but had never heard of this.

I got a cashmere comb from Pure collection when I did an order. It was good but hasn’t lasted that long, is losing it’s abrasive coating so I’m going to replace it with one from the White Company as I heard they are good.

I bought a Stylpro with my Boots points yesterday for cleaning my makeup brushes. I tried to attach a pic as I’d never heard of it - it’s basically a spinning wand and bowl that you clean a brush in and spin it dry straight away. Great idea. I have collected some good brushes over the years but don’t wash them as often as I need to. Was a bit sceptical but the reviews are good. I was actually very impressed. It took longer than I was hoping but I was fiddling around so next time should be speedy.

Bluejelly I re-dye my jeans too - saves many a penny. I dry soap in the immersion cupboard for a couple of days when the bar's getting a bit small then finely grate it up and use it to wash woollens. Drying out the soap makes it grate super-fine and then it dissolves much quicker when washing. Also have an electric de-bobbler which keeps jumpers in better condition.

Can anyone recommend a good way to clean suede boots prior to re-spraying them?

Re-dye black items in machine to refresh
Airing clothes wore once outside to avoid washing
Storing clothes rolled Marie Kondo style to avoid creases
Snipping loose threads from clothes especially new ones makes the look more expensive
Add a dab of clear varnish to middle of buttons to stop them becoming loose

@GhostCurry what is this iron on jeans hole repairer you speak of? I go through the knee of every pair within a few months

Can anyone give me some advice about restoring colour? I have a lovely dark blue jumper but over time it has faded a little (didn’t realise until i saw a photo of it!) It hs gold buttons on the shoulders - is there anyway i can restore the colour?

Loads of great tips on here!

CrabbitArse iron on knee patches

Available in all sorts of colours. I use them to reinforce my dc’s school trousers too.

Does anyone know the best way to keep a new leather jacket looking decent? Should I spray with the same stuff I use for new leather shoes... that waterproofing stuff?

Use fairy liquid on grease stains before putting the garment in the washing machine. If you notice a grease stainthat you have missed on newly washed items and don't want to re-wash it, then simply rub some talc on the stain, then brush it all off, the stain will disappear!

BikeRunSki thank you

I think you may have just saved me a fortune!

@AyeAyeFishyPie could you use some Dylon if it’s all one colour?

I have a dress that is multi coloured that is just a little faded. I’d love to know if there was anything that would give the colour a boost overall just to refresh it.

Add a dab of clear varnish to middle of buttons to stop them becoming loose

Excellent tip! I'm going to do that tomorrow.

Some I use a suede brush that has rubber 'bristles' one side and wire ones on the other. (kiwi suede and nubuck brush). I heard Mary Berry say that holding them over the steam from a kettle after brushing brings them up well but I haven't tried it.

Wash underwired bras by hand because the wires can damage your washing machine if they come loose and the washing machine action can bend the wires.
Store pleated skirts inside the legs of an old pair of tights to maintain the pleats if you have no way of hanging them up . (I was told this by a former piper in the Scots guards who stored his kilts like this when packing a suitcase ).