- Have your clothes cleaned frequently as soils and stains can become impossible to remove and will cause abrasions
on the fabric wearing out the fibers. - Discuss stains with your dry cleaner and point out light colored or invisible spills. Stains containing sugars can caramelize and turn brown with heat unless they flushed before dry cleaning.
- Bring your garment in as soon as possible after staining occurs. Leaving soiled garments in hot cars can set stains.
- Avoid letting your garments come in contact with products that contain alcohol such as perfumes, hair sprays, colognes, and lotions. These products can damage fabrics and dyes and sometimes don’t show up until after the cleaning process.
- Allow deodorants and antiperspirants to dry before dressing. These products may harm fabrics and dyes. For men, remember to clean your hands before tying your tie. Oils or other products will discolor tie’s fine fabrics when cleaned.
- Protect your clothing from excessive perspiration, use an under shirt or underarm shields because salts and chlorides can also compromise fabrics and dyes.
- Protect your clothing from prolonged exposure to sunlight or strong artificial light as bright colors like blues and greens tend to fade in the sun.
- Never try to remove a stain by rubbing with a cloth and water. If needed always BLOT, never rub a spot. Delicate fabrics like linen and silk will be easily damaged by rubbing.
- Never iron or dry stained clothing, the heat will only set the stain.
- Do not store your clothing in plastic bags, especially if they are natural fabrics like cotton, wool, linen and silk; they need to breathe.