Spring’s a great time to change habits for a cleaner, healthier environment. Start by cutting down on water waste with shorter showers, full loads of laundry and dishes, filtered water instead of bottled. Repair and recycle appliances, furniture and clothing. Instead of tossing (eventually into a landfill) repair those worn heels, replace that zipper or restitch that sagging hem. We do more than clean – we can help keeping your wardrobe repaired, fitted and functional. And please, bring your wire hangers back for recycling.
Cleaning up down.
Before you store that down vest or comforter, make sure it’s perfectly clean. Small items can be washed in a front-loading machine, on the permanent press cycle, using a detergent that’s safe for down. If the item is really soiled, stop the machine midway and let everything soak for an hour. To make sure you’ve removed every bit of cleanser, run an extra wash cycle with water only. Use low heat and lots of time for drying. Add a few new white tennis balls to the dryer to break up clumps and restore fluffy loft to the down. Or bring your down to us. Our experts use specialized cleaners and commercial-size machines for perfect results.
Stowing away winter leathers.
Anything made of leather needs maintenance, especially if it’s been exposed to winter weather conditions. Shoes and boots should be wiped with a damp cloth, especially if salt-stained. Inspect jackets and coats for damage, tears or stains before hanging on a well-padded hanger for storage. Use leather conditioner on dry spots like elbows and seams. Frequently worn items should be professionally cleaned every year to maintain the leather, preserve the color and prevent permanent staining.
Fluffy fresh towels.
After a steamy shower or bubbly bath, there’s nothing as refreshing as a big, clean terrycloth towel. But some home laundry practices actually diminish the terrycloth’s absorption. For instance, fabric softener can prevent a towel from soaking up water. And residual detergent will harden the fibers. If your towels aren’t smelling so fresh, add baking soda to the wash. White vinegar freshens mildewy smells. Nothing smells better than a towel that’s dried in the sunshine on a clothesline.
Yachting season? Time for nautical wear.
The boating life is wonderful. If you’re lucky enough to spend time aboard, there’s a good chance you’ll bring home more than memories, even on the cleanest vessel. Rust stains are common wherever there’s metal and water. We use concentrated professional products but for home use, try Oxyclean or Wink to get rust out of washable clothes. Mold and mildew are always found around water and can stain your sailing whites in a second—diluted laundry bleach removes just as fast. There’s always grease and oil whenever there’s an engine, and when heavy-duty petroleum soaks into fabric, you’re going to need our help. We take most stains out almost every time.
Chino alert.
Warm weather means chinos for most guys, dressed up with a white cotton shirt, dressed down with t-shirt or polo. Chinos come in colors way beyond khaki; we’re seeing classic blue, green, grey, brown and black. And there are a lot more colors in chinos than ever before (try Dockers). For a crisp tailored look, let us clean and press all kinds of cotton trousers. For home care, wash your chinos inside out in warm water, avoid bleach and over drying. If the seams wrinkle, touch up with a steam iron. Then hang on a trouser hanger, ready for wear.
Spring (closet) cleaning, part two.
Spring (closet) cleaning, part two. Here are ten ways to be sure “it’s gotta go.” 1-2, truly stained or stinky. We can do a lot, but some stains and smells are forever. 3. Damaged beyond repair, even by a talented seamstress. 4. Would you buy it right now? 5. It does not fit. Not now, probably never. 6. Wrong look, wrong image. 7. Brings up bad memories. 8. It simply outlasted a trend. 9. Have yet to wear it. 10. It is worn out, stretched, faded or pilled. Toss out the mistakes and make room for what you love and what makes you look your best.
Spring (closet) cleaning, part one.
When surveyed, American women admitted to over $500 worth of never-worn clothing hiding in the closet. That’s one of every five items: shoes, dresses and coats. Why? 75% said they just liked other pieces better, half said their friends didn’t like it, and a third admitted the item was out of style. Three ways to resolve the hidden problems? Sell them in a consignment shop or website like threadflip or tradesy. Ask us about local charities with thrift shops, or find more at excessaccess. Or swap your extras in a private Pinterest or Facebook group, or at swapstyle.
Six pairs is enough.
According to fashion expert Brock McGoff an adult male only needs six pairs of shoes for almost every day. Start with white canvas sneakers and light brown boat shoes for warm weather casual. A pair of medium brown dessert boots (chukkas) for jeans, cords or chinos. Dark brown loafers for business casual, brown wingtips for business downtown. And a pair of black cap toe oxfords for special occasions from black tie to funeral. If you’re a country guy, add boots for work.
New for summer.
Fashion never stops innovating, and this season’s no exception. Iridescence is a hot look, on a holographic dresses or metallic clutch. Netted mesh is seen in breezy tops and daring insets. Full skirts are back for a ladylike silhouette. The classic white button-down blouse was seen with necktie detailing, embellishments and asymetrical cuts from Rachel Zoe or Viktor & Rolf. Sweatshirts have taken on a luxe status with bright colors, splashy patterns and a classic slouchy silhouette. Power suits with coordinated color separates feature bold patterns and bright colors. And lots of runways for spring/summer looked like training camp with athletic dresses, baseball caps and letter jackets. See the InStyle pictures
