Building a Fabric Care Toolkit
Do you know what fabric I truly love? Silk. The flow, the feel, the sheer luxury of it! Obssesed. Do you know what fabric I used to avoid for fear of ruining by washing? Also silk.
As a stylist I work with a variety of clients. They come from different backgrounds, have different schedules, lifestyles and different needs for their wardrobe. What unifies them all though, is concern about incorporating some fabric or another into rotation for fear of dry cleaning trips - or worse - botched laundering that makes the item useless.
Fear not! Your helpful, neighbourhood stylist is here to get you sorted. I recommend this Fabric Care Toolkit to all my clients and I’ll share my must haves here for you too!
Drying rack - whether in a house in the country or a compact condo downtown, something to lay items flat to dry is a must. Many handwash items can be hang dried but your knits and other delicates should not carry the weight of the water while drying. These racks are available in all manner of shapes and sizes - find one that works for you and your space.
And for items that can be easily laundered and thrown in the dryer, felt dryer balls are as eco friendly as they are effective. Good for up to 500 loads, these bouncy little fellas prevent static, reduce drying times and soften fabrics naturally. They’re a no brainer!
Another no brainer - keep a simple sewing kit on hand. Whether you’re a born tailor or can just barely manage to get a button back on - keep a simple kit at home (and holiday!) in case of a seam emergency. Most kits come compactly packaged with everything you need for an emergency job. I recommend buying duplicates so you have one at home, the car and office. You never know when you may need it!
The usual wear and tear on garments can make them look aged before their time. To help keep them looking as fresh as possible I recommend a fabric shaver or lint remover. Whether battery operated or just a simple comb, these tools elongate the life of your beloved pieces. Keep on hand and use as needed to make cozy knits and other fabrics prone to pilling look as good as new. These tools are easy to use and can really transform an item.
And finally, a lint roller. Keep one in your closet or by the door and give yourself (or your loved one) and quick pass before heading out the door. I really like these one that are reusable and use friction to remove lint but your standard sticky one works too.
And speaking of things that build up, I recommend a Guppyfriend for laundering synthetics. These hand little bags hold your synthetics during the wash and minimize microplastic waste. Rather than wash off and drain into the water, the Guppyfriend collects these little bits that can then safely be disposed of into the garbage. The bags also help reduce wear and tear from laundering and help extend the life of your garments. Win-win!
Finally, for your delicates that really do need a handwash. I recommend Soak for knits as it washes nicely and doesn’t require rinsing. And for my beloved silk - vinegar. I kid you not! A little soak in some vinegar and water, gently drain the mixture and hang to dry. As the fabric dries, the scent dissipates and your silk looks and feels as good as new.
I hope this helps you feel more confident in your conscious laundering journey. If you have any questions - or have some tips I’ve missed! - please get in touch! hello@leahgust.com
