Admit it—we all love looking our best. That’s why we take great care of our favorite apparel, the ones that make us feel and look fantastic. However, maintaining them isn’t always as simple as wearing them. Different materials require different care methods—some items can’t be machine-washed, and others can’t be cleaned with water. Let this ultimate fashion maintenance guide show you the best ways to keep your clothes and shoes in top shape.
Shoe Care
Know How To Clean Them
Different materials require different shoe cleaning methods. To simplify the process, we’ve created a handy guide for you:
| Shoe Material | Cleaning Tools | Cleaning Process |
| Suede | Suede brush, eraser, suede cleaner | Brush away dirt and debris with a suede brush. For light scuffs, use a suede eraser. For deeper cleaning, use a suede cleaner and follow the product instructions. Let air dry completely. |
| Leather | Soft cloth, leather cleaner, leather conditioner | Wipe away dirt with a damp cloth. For a more thorough clean, use a leather cleaner formulated for the specific type of leather. Apply leather conditioner after cleaning to keep the leather soft and supple. |
| Canvas | Soft brush, mild detergent, warm water | Brush away loose dirt. Mix warm water with gentle detergent, then use a soft brush to scrub away stains gently. Rinse with clean water and allow to air dry. |
Pro tip: Condition and leather shoes every few weeks to keep them soft and supple.
Use Proper Storage Techniques
Proper shoe storage is important for keeping your footwear in tip-top shape and condition. Boot shapers and shoe trees can help prevent damage and extend the life of your shoes. However, even with careful storage, they may eventually require professional care. Investing in shoe repair services can revive worn-out soles, fix broken heels, and make your shoes look new. From there, consider these additional storage tips:
- Boot Shapers: Help maintain the shape of your boots to avoid creasing.
- Shoe Trees for Leather Shoes: Inserted into your leather shoes to help absorb moisture and retain the shape.
- Shoe Racks and Cubbies: Keep your shoes organized and off the floor to prevent scuffs and damage.
Clothes Care
Decode the Labels
When you look at the tags of your clothes, you’ll see a bunch of laundry symbols. Those aren’t just random doodles the manufacturer put as design; they are a roadmap to proper care of your items. You can’t be a wardrobe maintenance guru if you’re clueless about these symbols. So here’s a guide:
| Symbol | Meaning |
| Bucket with Water and Temperature | Maximum water temperature for washing (hand symbol means hand wash only) |
| Bucket with a Line Underneath | Permanent press cycle (warm wash, cool rinse) |
| Bucket with Two Lines | Gentle or delicate cycle (cooler water, slower spin) |
| Triangle | Bleaching instructions (plain = any bleach, X through it = no bleach) |
| Square | Drying instructions (circle inside = tumble dry, lines in corner = line dry, horizontal line = dry flat) |
| Iron Shape | Garment can be ironed |
| Iron with Dots | Maximum ironing temperature (more dots = hotter) |
| Iron with an X | Do not iron |
| Circle | Dry clean only |
| Circle with a Letter | Specific dry cleaning instructions for solvents |
| Circle with an X | Do not dry-clean |
Wash with Care
Now that you understand the laundry symbols, it’s time to actually do the laundry. Start by separating your clothes by color. Washing darks with lights can lead to a major wardrobe disaster because some strong dyes can bleed into lighter-colored fabric, which is difficult to fix.
After that, turn all your clothes inside out so that delicate fabrics and embellishments are protected from getting damaged in the wash. This is a key step in learning how to keep clothes looking new.
From there, you can start washing. Be mindful of the water temperature you’ll use. As a general guide, hot water can fade colors and shrink your clothes, while cold water is usually gentler.
Must-have item: Mesh laundry bags. They are lifesavers for bras, lingerie, and other delicate items.
Dry Your Clothes the Right Way
If there’s one tip in fabric care that we want you to practice, it is to always choose air drying whenever possible. It is much gentler on fabrics and helps prevent fading and shrinkage. Plus, it’s eco-friendly!
But we can’t deny the convenience of machine drying. So, if you want your clothes to dry in just a few minutes, try to do it properly to protect your beloved delicate outfits.
- Regular/Heavy Duty: For sturdy fabrics like cotton.
- Permanent Press: For wrinkle-resistant fabrics.
- Delicate/Low Heat: For delicate fabrics like silk and synthetics.
- Air Fluff/No Heat: For refreshing clothes or fluffing pillows.
It’s wise to clean the lint filter before each use, especially when drying in batches. Also, take out your clothes immediately to prevent wrinkles.
Store Them Properly
How you store your clothes has a huge impact on their longevity and appearance. Here are some strategies on how to store clothes properly:
- Fold sweaters; don’t hang them so they won’t lose shape.
- Use wooden hangers for coats and suits to prevent shoulder bumps.
- Use cedar blocks to repel moths and pests.
Conclusion
A little effort in wardrobe care can go a long way. Follow our tips to extend the life of your clothes and shoes while staying in style. For those inevitable wear and tear issues, don’t hesitate to seek professional help from a local shoe repair shop. Invest in proper care and timely repairs to enjoy your favorite pieces for many years.
About the Author
Tony Kantzavelos is the CEO of Love Your Shoes, a company that has been cleaning and repairing shoes, boots and other footwear for over 35 years. Its operations is Canada’s largest state-of-the-art shoe repair facility, specializing in shoe color restoration.
