| Shopping can be challenging, but remember the | | | | the weather or occasion. Wool should always be |
| consequences of getting it wrong. An image | | | | hand-washed on a delicate cycle and never washed |
| consultant offers advice on washing. | | | | at a high temperature or it will definitely shrink. Wool |
| When buying clothes, consideration should always be | | | | and cashmere items should never be tumble dried but |
| given as to the cleaning requirements of your new | | | | be left to dry naturally away from direct heat. If |
| garment. Can it be machine-washed or is a more | | | | hung up to dry certain garments will lose their shape |
| delicate hand-wash needed, perhaps your new item is | | | | so to prevent this, roll items in a towel to absorb any |
| dry clean only which also has cost implications. | | | | excess water and then lie them flat to dry. |
| Unless you take good care of your clothes by regular | | | | Silk, like cashmere, is a beautiful and luxurious fabric |
| cleaning, mending and correct storage they will start | | | | which requires careful and special cleaning. Although |
| to look worn out and shabby very quickly and their | | | | some items can be hand-washed in lukewarm water |
| life expectancy will reduce dramatically. This is not | | | | with a gentle detergent added, other silk garments |
| ideal, especially for investment items like coats and | | | | have to be dry cleaned. If you do hand-wash silk |
| suits. | | | | then a tip to prevent static build-up is to add a few |
| Once of the most important ways to look after your | | | | drops of fabric conditioner to the final rinse. Never |
| clothes is to store them on quality wooden or | | | | ever tumble dry silk and, if absolutely necessary, |
| padded hangers that won't pull the fibres out of | | | | ironing should only be done using a steam iron set on |
| shape. Another way is to ensure that any stains are | | | | a low heat and by placing a cloth over the silk to |
| removed as soon as possible so they don't | | | | protect it from the iron's hotplate. |
| completely soak into the fabric and a third way is to | | | | If you do not want to hand-wash delicate beaded or |
| make sure that you always wash your clothes at the | | | | sequined items then another tip is to put them in a |
| temperature that is right for the garment and | | | | well secured pillowcase and wash them on the cold |
| recommended by the manufacturer. | | | | cycle of your washing machine. Like wool, they |
| Linen and cotton, which are both natural fibres, | | | | should be dried flat on a towel. |
| should be washed at a maximum of 50°C, since | | | | For dry-clean only items, remember to remove any |
| a higher temperature may make them shrink. Even | | | | shoulder pads, special trim or expensive buttons since |
| when ironed, linen is badly prone to creasing so, like | | | | these could be lost, tarnished or chipped during the |
| cotton, it's best to iron while the fabric is still a little | | | | chemical cleaning process. Also, it is advisable to keep |
| damp. Poly-cotton mixes are a little more | | | | dry cleaning to a minimum since, over time, some |
| crease-resistant and require slightly less attention. | | | | cleaning fluids can weaken and damage delicate |
| Wool is another natural and very versatile material. | | | | garment fibres. |
| Cashmere is the most expensive type of wool and is | | | | For more advice on how to wash various fabrics, |
| the softest and most lightweight to wear whatever | | | | speak to an image consultant. |