How to Care for Your Clothes

Protect clothes by always wearing an apron when cooking or doing housework. Keep a set of old clothes for gardening, DIY, and other dirty jobs.

Before putting clothes away, brush well. Clothes brushes are the best for removing dust. To get rid of fluff, use a lint-removing brush which has little nylon barbs. Empty pockets, do up zips and at least some of the buttons, especially the top one. Fold sweater and T-shirts before putting away.

Very Creased Clothes

Rather than pressing very creased clothes or sending them to the dry cleaner, try hanging them in a steamy bathroom for an hour or so. In shops, they use steamers to remove creases. These are available for domestic use, while steam cleaners can also be used to steam clothes. Note, however, that steam can bring out stains on clothes.

Folding Shirts and Blouses

For preference, these should always be hung. If folding a shirt or blouse, do up the top, middle, and bottom buttons and lay it on its front. Fold in both sides, aligning the sleeves with the sides. Fold up the tail, if it has one, then fold into three horizontally. Fold sweaters and T-shirts the same way.

Folding Skirts

These would normally be hung on a hanger. If folding for packing, fold the sides into the middle and fold in three horizontally. Always fold clothes horizontally. Once unfolded and hung up, their weight and the force of gravity will force the creases out. Vertical creases just stay put.

Folding Trousers

For tailored trousers, align the inner and outer seams of the legs to ensure a crisp crease and hang by the hems. Do not align seams on legs of jeans - creases on jeans are very uncool. Fold them I half vertically and hang on a trouser hanger.

Folding Dresses

These should always be hung on a hanger. If folding a dress for packing, do up buttons or zips and lay it on its front. Fold in the sides to the middle, folding the sleeves back on themselves. Fold in three horizontally.

Folding Jackets

Use a hanger and store in a garment bag. If folding for packing, turn inside out and do up top, middle, and bottom buttons. Lay flat on its back and fold in sleeves. Try to lay it flat in the suitcase, or if this is not possible, fold up the bottom third.

Folding Socks

Lay one sock on top of the other. Fold in three, starting at the toe end, then pull over the outside of the top sock to make a neat roll.

Folding Underwear

Fold underpants in three, sides to middle, then tuck in the crotch. Fold bras in half, one cup inside the other, tuck in the straps, then tuck matching knickers inside the cup as well to keep them all together. The same technique applies with men's underwear. Men's boxer shorts should be folded in half vertically, then half horizontally.