A man’s dress suit is usually one of the most expensive items in his wardrobe or even the most expensive item. But, all too often, men allow their most loved suits to fall slowly into pieces because they don’t take proper care of them. Knowing when to dry clean a suit and how often is key to your suits having a long, stain-free life. Show Life is messy and stains are inevitable, though; from the red wine droplets that end up on your shirt sleeve to the makeup stains your significant other leaves on your shoulder. Despite the stains, believe it or not, most gents actually end up dry cleaning their suits far too often. Knowing how to care for and dry clean a suit are important skills in the life of the stylish sartorial gentleman. Read on to discover how and when to dry clean your suits to help them last longer. What is dry cleaning?Dry cleaning is a chemical cleaning process whereby strong solvents are used to clean your clothes. This process should only be attempted by a professional. The potent chemicals used in dry cleaning can be harsh and, over time, can cause fabrics to wear and tear, causing fabrics to lose colour and strength. Why you need to dry clean a suitDry cleaning can be incredibly effective at removing difficult stains like makeup, mustard, wine, as well as the regular accumulation of weeks or months of sweat. Unless you’ve done it before, trying to remove these stains yourself can be disastrous, which is why dry cleaning can be your saving grace. It just needs to be used sparingly. How often to dry clean a suitHow often you dry clean your suit depends on how often you wear it. If you only wear your suit for occasions like weddings, parties or special events like racing days, you should only need to get a suit dry cleaned once a year, if that. On the other hand, if you’re wearing the same suit at least once a week, you’ll want to get it dry cleaned more regularly, say 1-3 times per year, unless, of course, it has a food stain, makeup stain or an unpleasant odour. If airing out your suits isn’t removing those odours, it’s probably time to take a trip to the dry cleaners. On the other hand, dry cleaning strips the wool of its natural fibres, causing it to wear prematurely. Therefore only dry clean when absolutely necessary and if other care measures aren’t helping. How to care for a suitAs well as knowing how to dry clean a suit, knowledge about proper care is crucial. Sometimes instead of dry cleaning your suit, you just need to ensure it gets aired out correctly. Use these simple tips to ensure your suits last longer:
Your favourite suits can last years if they are cared for correctly. Read more tips on how to extend the life of your suit. Or, for our expert advice on suit care, styling or the latest trends in men’s fashion, contact us today. How often should my suit be dry cleaned?Suits should be dry cleaned every three to four wears. Formal suits - Although, like suits, formal suits don't touch your skin, they typically aren't worn as often. Unless you wear them more than once or twice a year, formal suits must undergo cleaning about once a season, or after each wear.
Does dry cleaning damage a suit?Dry cleaning chemicals are harsh and can actually be a bit harmful to your suit. Constant dry cleaning can damage the fabric. If you find a few wrinkles or some debris on your suit, simply use a lint roller and then have the suit pressed; it'll come back good as new, but without the chemical wear and tear.
Is dry cleaning a suit worth it?Dry cleaning is the appropriate cleaning method for suits because it protects the fabric from water and heat damage. What's more, dry cleaning helps extend the life of a garment by removing ground-in dirt, soils, and stains that act as an abrasive on the fibers.
What happens if you don't dry clean suits?As such, due to their nature and the friction during the dry cleaning process, your suit can become shiny or lose some colour. The process also puts a lot of pressure on the delicate fabrics and this is one of the reason you should only dry clean your suits when absolutely necessary.
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