Look your best

We all have our own preferences for how much starch we like in our shirts. By choosing no starch, light or heavy starch, we can choose how our clothing looks and feels. Starch offers a host of bonuses and drawbacks. The major benefits to starching are a cleaner, crisper look and improved resistance to stains and wrinkles.

However, the price we pay for this resistance is a possible reduction in the shirt’s wearlife due to a decreased resistance to bending and straightening. Light starch may be the answer to limiting the negative effects while gaining the benefits of starch. This way you’ll get a crisper shirt that’s got some stain protection, but won’t wear out quite as easily as a heavily starched shirt.

Here are some of the pluses and minuses to having your shirts starched:

• Starch can build up after repeated washings, often resulting in an undesirable stiffness. There is no method to prevent this or remove the build-up.
• Starch prevents stains from penetrating the fabric, making them easier to remove.
• Starch increases your clothes' resistance to wear from rubbing and helps your whites stay white more readily.
• Shirts using heavy starch will wear quicker in areas where they are repeatedly bent and straightened (elbows in particular).
• Starch reduces the fabric’s ability to stretch, making the collar feel tighter as though it has shrunk.
• The life expectancy of the average shirt is 35–50 washings. This will fluctuate depending on the amount of abrasion and strain you place on your shirts during wear. Other factors include the fiber content, type of fabric, degree of starching and sizing, and laundering procedures used.

 

Before the tenth holiday party, my neighbor said to me, “Don’t wear your gold lame cocktail dress to a crowded party in a hot room.” What’s so bad about that?

Answer: Partygoers need to be particularly careful of metallic fabric that can corrode if exposed to moisture. To prevent dampness to lame and other metallics, be sure to wear underarm shields that will help prolong the life and looks of your special outfit.

After the eleventh holiday party, my mother said to me, “How are you going to clean your new beaded top after the soiree?” Good question!

Answer: The beads on many outfits are made of polystyrene, which looks like glass. Polystyrene should not be drycleaned but washed as long as it is attached to a garment that is washable.

At the twelfth holiday party, my father said to me, “You’ll look gorgeous in this new fur, just be sure to care for it well.” How do I protect this investment?

Answer: Furs, leathers, and suedes should be kept clean by keeping them covered with a cloth, not a plastic, garment bag. Each should be cleaned annually by a drycleaner who specializes in cleaning furs. Special storage facilities are recommended for seasonal storage of furs. Ask us about storage.

Now, enjoy the rest of the holiday season!

After the seventh holiday party, my cousin said to me, “My suede outfit got soaked in the rain.” How do I handle soaked suede?

Answer: Hang it out to dry. Do not use a blow dryer or heater. When dry, brush with a stiff brush.

After the eighth holiday party, my daughter said to me, “Do I hang up my knit sweater and skirt outfit or should I fold it?” For once she wants my advice!

Answer: Keep knits in good shape by storing and cleaning them properly. Keep sweaters folded loosely with lots of room to breathe. If you must hang it up, fold it over a crossbar. Never hang like a shirt on a wire hanger - this will stretch it.

After the ninth holiday party, my sister said to me, “I’m sorry my baby drooled on your red velvet dress.” How do I remove milk stains, not to mention the baby?

Answer: Blot it gently and bring it to us. Crushed areas of wear can be improved by lightly brushing with a soft brush. As for the baby, don’t pick him up when you have on a velvet dress!

Watch for more parties next week!

Before the fourth holiday party, my silk dress said to me, “Please be delicate when you iron me.” How should I respond?
Answer: Wrinkles should fall out of silk if allowed to hang properly. If ironing seems necessary, iron on a low temperature, 250-300 degrees.

Before the fifth holiday party, my husband said to me, “Do you know if your new rhinestone sweater can be cleaned?” Should I risk the rhinestones?
Answer: Be particularly careful when purchasing garments adorned with rhinestones or other jewelry. Bring it to us before wearing to spot test for cleanability and colorfastness. If you are not satisfied with the results, return it.

Before the sixth holiday party, my neighbor said to me, “My white leather slacks are wrinkled.” I’m pressed for an answer, what should I say?

Answer: Press leather by placing white press cloth over the item and pressing quickly with a cool iron.

More parties next week!