If there's one thing you want to wear for a holiday soirée, it's a fun embellished dress, right? However, this kind of dress can often be hard to wash and clean, especially if you get a not-so-fun stain on it. Ahead are some hacks you can employ to increase the durability of five common party frock materials.
Velvet
Today, the commonly known materials used to make velvet are cotton and rayon - and it requires extra care if you wish to prolong its longevity. Here are some things you should take note of.
Do
- Read the care label for cleaning directions.
- Protect your pieces when you put them away: Folding is an absolute no-no, as it'll cause unsightly creases. Instead, hang them on a silk hanger and wrap them in a sturdy dust bag before stowing them away. To avoid pressure, leave ample space between dresses when storing them in your wardrobe.
Don't
- Iron at all cost: The heat and pressure will crush the velvet's formation, leaving unwanted marks. Instead, use a steamer to gently remove any creases. Turn the garment inside out before steaming.
- Assert too much pressure on the fabric. This includes: Packing your velvet dresses tightly in your closet or wringing them dry.
- If you spill juice or wine on it, don't blot the liquids off with dry paper. When too much force is placed on the fabric, it'll flatten the raised surface of the material and create indentations. Instead, you should shake the moisture off and let it air dry.
Embellishments
Sequins, beads, appliqués and embroideries — they all fall under the category of embellishments. Since garments with such accents are prone to snagging on something, they are pieces that require the most care if you wish to keep their integrity intact. Whether by hand or machine, you'll need to take extra precautions to prevent losing a bead or two.
Do
- It is advisable to cold hand wash them delicately
- Air dry embellished garments only. Never ever place them in a hot tumble as the heat will melt the accents and deplete the tackiness of the glue. The dryer's drum can also scratch and destroy the decorations. Instead, dry them flat and away from the sunlight to prevent tarnishing.
Don't
- Iron embellished garments: The heat will loosen the glue holding these embellishments together.
- Wring them dry. This is especially so for delicate base materials like satin or silk, as wringing them will cause the accents to jut into the fabrics and create pockmarks. Instead, press them dry and lay them flat.
Feathers
Feathers are the new hot trend that everyone wants - but barely anyone knows how to care.
Do
- Hand wash in warm soapy water if necessary and try to keep the feathers out of the water. Machine washing is obviously a no-no since it'll create tension and loosen the glue keeping these feathers together.
- If you must remove unsightly stains from them, mix a bowl of lukewarm water with baby soap and wet them. Do not soak for too long.
- Gently rub to remove any unwanted dirt. Ensure you keep the parts that keep the feathers attached to the garment dry to prevent the adhesive from losing its tackiness.
Don't
- Use an iron to keep them neat. Excessive heat will simply damage the feathers. Instead, use a steamer. We recommend you invest in one that allows you to manually change the heat settings. Set it to low heat before proceeding. Do not apply pressure when doing so.
- Store them untidily. Folds on the stems of feathers are irreversible. Ensure you do not tug on the feathers — they should be as flat as possible. Provide ample space when keeping them in your closet. Do not stack any garments on top of your feathers to prevent flattening. For dresses, hang them on a satin hanger and zip them up in a garment bag before stowing them away.
Chiffon
Owning a chiffon fabric can be very frustrating due to its light texture. The slightest heat can get it burnt, and the finest touch can get it torn. But it just happens when you don't know how to care for it. Caring for chiffon depends on the type of fibre that comprises the fabric. Here is a general guide for washing your chiffon item, whether made from synthetic or natural fibre.
Do
- Silk chiffon needs to be dry cleaned. Polyester chiffon and nylon chiffon must be hand washed.
- Wash with cold water. Do not leave it in the water for too long because the dye will start to fade.
Don't
- Do not wring. Chiffon can easily lose shape.
- Don't use clips, as they can create marks on the fabric on the line. Instead, lay it down on a flat surface.
- Don't put it in the sun. The material can fade, so avoid direct sunlight.
You will always look your best in Montique! For more fashion tips or information on our dresses and products, contact us at customerservice@intermoda.com.au to be in touch with our customer service team, or shop our new arrivals now!
