Care for your suits
From steaming to storage: this is your essential guide to proper suit care.
Caring for men's suits doesn't have to be a chore. Traditional suiting fabrics like wool, mohair, and cashmere possess natural self-care properties, but they still appreciate a little attention. To simplify the process, we've compiled expert tips on maintaining your suit and ensuring your favorite pieces look new for longer.
Maintenance
Let It Breathe
Wool is inherently semi-self-cleaning; the keratin fibers help break down grime and sweat. It's crucial to let your suits air out. Allowing airflow through the fabric helps keep them dry and naturally eliminates sweat, while also preventing bacterial growth that can lead to odors. After wearing, leave your suit out for a few hours or even a day or two to let the fibers dry, rest, and regain their shape.
For those who travel frequently or have limited time in the mornings, hanging your suit in the bathroom while you shower allows the gentle steam to smooth out light creases, giving your suit a fresh look.
Keep Them Rotating
Just like you, your suit needs time to recover. After each use, hang it up and let it rest for 24-48 hours before wearing it again.
This practice will help reduce the frequency of dry cleaning.
Use a Suit Brush
A genuine boar hair clothing brush is ideal for gently removing unwanted particles from your fabric. The soft bristles won't damage the clothing but are firm enough to clear away lint and dust.
Regular brushing can significantly extend the life of your suit and restore the fabric's natural fibers and luster.
Steaming
To protect the delicate fabric, avoid ironing your suit unless the care label explicitly permits it. Instead, invest in a quality steamer to remove wrinkles and creases between wears.
Steaming not only helps keep your suit crease-free but also deodorizes and lightly cleans it.
Cleaning
Spot Cleaning Over Dry Cleaning
You don’t need to clean your suit after every wear; doing so can accelerate wear. Not every minor stain requires a trip to the dry cleaner—and remember, never put your suit in the washing machine! Instead, use a clean, slightly damp undyed cloth with a spray of stain remover or mild detergent for spot treatment.
Gently dab the stain instead of scrubbing to avoid damaging the fibers. Always test any cleaner on a hidden area first. If you're concerned about spreading the stain or damaging the fabric, it's best to leave it to a professional.
When you do need to go to the cleaners, wash your jacket and pants together to maintain consistent color and texture over time. Ideally, limit dry cleaning to no more than three times a year.
Storage
Hang It Right
Avoid using flimsy plastic hangers for your jackets. Instead, opt for a broad wooden hanger, preferably made of cedar. A thick hanger will help maintain the natural shape of the shoulders, while cedar's strength, moisture absorption, and insect-repelling properties will protect your suit from dampness and moths.
Always hang your trousers from the hem using a felt clamp hanger, allowing wrinkles to smooth out naturally without introducing new ones.