The 4 most commonly asked questions about silk

Hundreds of years ago, possessing silk garments was a sign of luxury reserved for the fashion focused few who could afford it. Centuries later, silk still remains a coveted material (albeit a bit more affordable) -- and for good reason! Not only does silk look and feel fabulous, but it is lightweight, versatile, and a surprisingly strong fiber. The right silk top looks great dressed up for a day at the office, or paired with your favorite jeans for a more casual look.

Properly cared for, silk can add a striking and classy element to any wardrobe. Your best bet for keeping your silk in beautiful condition is to trust it to a professional dry cleaner. However it's still helpful to know the basics of how to care for your silk garments.

Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about silk:

• Is silk is more delicate than other materials?

 Yes, silk is the most delicate type of material commonly   used to make clothing. Unlike other materials such as cotton, which is much more forgiving when it comes to laundering and fabric care, silk is particularly susceptible to stains and damage from heat and light. While each silk fiber is surprisingly strong, it's important to educate yourself about how to properly care for your silk garments to avoid stains and damage.

• Why do stains sometimes show up after I have a silk garment cleaned?

Even after the dry cleaning process, it's possible for stains to emerge on silk. What happens sometimes is that when a garment is exposed to heat or light, set in stains that weren't visible previously become visible, and they can actually change the color of the silk material. A classic example of this is perspiration stains near the underarm region of a top. A solution to this would be let your cleaner know what caused the stain on your garment to the best of your knowledge.

• What can I do to keep my silk garments looking great?

Despite your best efforts, accidents and stains happen to the best of us. If you find yourself at having a slightly embarrassing mealtime mishap, there’s no need to worry! There are steps that you can take to prevent the stain from settling further into the fibers, and therefore increase the chances of totally removing the stain. When the mishap occurs, try your best to address the stain as quickly as possible since the quicker you can tend to it, the more likely you are to preserve the fabric. Use a clean damp cloth to gently wipe the stained area, taking care not to rub vigorously or apply undue pressure. You should also try to avoid exposing the garment to excess light and heat, which will expedite the stain setting process.

• What should I tell my cleaner about cleaning silk?

Silk lovers, take note! This is an important question. You may not have realized it before, but there is a science to stain removal. Dry cleaners use a wide variety of cleaners and solvents to remove even the most difficult stains, so even though you might not think it really matters what the ingredients in that delicious red sauce were, it does. Your dry cleaner will choose a different stain remover to tackle the remnants of a creamy red sauce than they would to remove a plain tomato based sauce. Vegetable based stains are chemically different from protein based stains, and each stain requires different treatment. When you go to your cleaner, you should be try to be as specific as possible about what caused the stain so they’ll know exactly how to treat it.

It happens to the best of us. You open your closet and it’s a total disaster. Clothes on the floor, clothes half hanging on hangers and clothes that look like they’re about to tumble down from the top shelf. It’s time to regain control of your wardrobe space. Proper storage  is key, and by employing these organization tricks, you’ll never be afraid to open your closet doors again.

The components of a tidy closet

A well organized closet has three key characteristics:

1. Contents are organized by category (e.g. tops, bottoms, shoes).
2. All items are color coded within their category.
3. Each category has its own designated space.

Color code your closet

By color coding each category of clothing, you’ll make finding items in your closet much easier. For instance, you can group together garments in similar shades and tones, ordering them from light to dark. When it comes to patterned tops and bottoms, file them based on the dominant color in the garment. Two-toned striped items can be tricky, but as long it makes sense to you, however you choose to order them is your judgement call.

Clothing category tricks

Here’s how to organize and store each category of clothing.

Tops: Blouses, button-downs and jackets
Knit tops and t-shirts can be folded and placed on shelves or hanging closet organizers with shelving—line delicate pieces like cashmere sweaters with acid-free tissue to protect them against moisture or dust. Blouses, button-down shirts, jackets and blazers should be hung on thin velvet hangers to maximize closet space and prevent garments from slipping off.

Bottoms: Pants and skirts

Pants that don’t wrinkle easily (like jeans) can be folded and stored on shelves or hanging closet organizers. Dress pants and skirts should be hung on thin velvet hangers or hangers with clips.

Footwear: Casual and formal shoes

When it comes to a large walk-in closet, a shoe shelf will show off your shoe collection and make it easy to find the footwear you’re looking for. You can also put your shoes in clear polystyrene boxes, which will stack neatly in your closet. Clear boxes ensure that you’ll be able to find your sneakers or heels quicker than keeping them in regular opaque shoe boxes. For smaller closets, you can use shoe racks placed on the closet floor or over-the-door hanging shoe organizers with pockets to slot in each pair.

Accessories: Jewelry, belts and ties

For a large walk-in closet, designate one to two drawers for jewelry, belts and ties. Use drawer organizers to compartmentalize each group of items so you can find the right accessory without fuss. For a small closet, a hanging accessories organizer is your best bet. It can be hung alongside your clothes and has loops to weave ties and belts through. Use hanging organizers with individual small clear slots to store jewelry, bracelets, earrings and necklaces.

Handbags

File handbags away on shelves separated by shelving dividers. Small leather items like clutches or wallets can be placed neatly together in a shoebox on a top shelf in the closet.

Socks and underwear

 

Small items like socks, bras and underwear are best folded and grouped together in drawers and separated with drawer dividers.

Next season’s clothes

Use flat underbed garment boxes to store clothing from last season or the next one. If there’s room on the closet floor, garment boxes can be stacked there or kept underneath the bed. To keep stains and odors from setting in, launder your clothes before storing them for the season—and bring your favored pieces to a professional service for top care. Don’t forget to tuck in some pouches filled with dried lavender to keep your clothes fresh and free of moths. By using these simple tricks, you’re well on your way to creating and sustaining an organized closet that will feel like your own personal boutique.

Photos: All About Space / Shutterstock.com, WorldWide / Shutterstock.com, WorldWide / Shutterstock.com, Maryna Pleshkun / Shutterstock.com

Moisture wicking fabrics are a wonderful thing. Gone are the days of embarrassing sweat stains and drenched cotton t-shirts. Fabrics like Lycra and Spandex draw moisture away from the skin, keeping you dry while you work and play hard. Equally important, these fabrics also remove odor causing bacteria from the skin and trap it in the fibers, so you can smell as good as you possibly can after a tough workout.

To keep your athletic gear smelling fresh and avoid the unpleasant task of trying to rid your gym clothes of funky smells, try following these simple guidelines:

• Wash After Each Use ​

The most important rule is to wash your workout clothes each time you wear them. If you re-wear them, odors accumulate and further set into the fibers and are more difficult, or impossible, to remove later.
Washing your garments after each use is one of the best ways to keep your athletic gear smelling fresh. Do not wear a new garment more than once before washing.

• Wait! Don't Toss That Sweaty Shirt in the Hamper ​

Damp clothes crumpled in laundry hampers are the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. Find a place to hang the item to dry before you toss it in your laundry hamper. If hanging space isn't available, you can simply lay the garment on a flat surface. Mold and mildew have the potential to ruin a garment, so it's worth it to take the time to do this extra step.

• Follow Care Instructions on the Tag

Wash your workout clothing in cold water and dry on a low heat setting. Avoid using fabric softeners as they build up on the fabric and interfere with the garments moisture wicking properties. If you have a garment with stubborn odors, you can add one cup of white vinegar to the wash. As with all your garments, the care instructions on the tag should be the final authority on caring for a specific article of clothing.

• Avoid Exposing to High Heat

Blended fabrics such as Lycra can quickly lose its elasticity when exposed to high heat in the washing machine or dryer. If you've ever accidentally put your favorite pair of yoga pants in the dryer, you know they're never quite the same again. To preserve the look and performance of your clothing, skip the dryer all together and hang your athletic gear to air dry. If hanging to dry and special care instructions are too much of a hassle for you, play it safe and take your athletic gear to a professional cleaner who knows exactly what to do to keep your athletic gear smelling fresh and looking great.