Hello Spring. If you’re ready to store away your winter clothing for another year, be sure that’s everything’s clean. Even minor splashes and spills will oxidize and discolor over time. Body oils, perspiration and food or beverage stains can attract insect damage. After cleaning, store everything in garment storage bags that allow your clothes to breathe, and keep stored clothing where temperatures don’t get extreme. Damp basements can lead to mildew and funky smells. Ask us about storage and packaging options.

When only the finest will do, or when it’s time to splurge on your closet, check out HangerProject.com.  Its founder, Kirby Allison, sells solid maple $25 suit/jacket/overcoat hangers in four widths, three profiles, so the garment is supported evenly and rounded edges prevent snagging. These luxury wooden hangers have been featured in Esquire, The Wall Street Journal, Robb Report and more. Kirby sells more than hangers—there’s Saphir shoe care products, handmade Italian umbrellas and shaving goods. And hangers for men, women, and accessories.

Is there room for nostalgia in your closet? Too often, keepsake garments take up valuable space and get crushed in the process. Christening gowns, letter jackets, costumes and ceremonial garb, military dress uniforms, even Grandma’s afghan all crowd available storage. We not only clean and archivally pack wedding gowns, we also preserve baby outfits, prom dresses, Halloween costumes and the occasional Santa suit. Properly packaged, your keepsakes are preserved and ready stack on the shelf.

Mr. Rogers isn’t the only celebrity in a cardigan. The 7th Earl of Cardigan started it all back in the mid-1800’s. Back then, they were bulky, warm single or double breasted coats with shawl collars. Today, cardigans have slimmed down and are made of almost every material for men and women. They can be worn with jeans or khakis, dress or shorts. Some wear cardigans as the jacket to their outfit, others make the cardigan the main piece. Like other classic garments, investing in a quality cardigan makes sense. The classic style easily moves from season to season, and a beautiful wool or cotton cardigan always looks flattering, comfortable and easy going. Trust us to keep your knits in perfect condition, clean and fresh.

Carefully check every item for salt, grit or food spills après ski. Don’t forget to check your gloves. Close zippers and release tension on drawstrings or elastics, dry thoroughly before storing. Specifically follow care instruction tags: high tech fabrics need special attention, sometimes more sophisticated than the home washing machine. Remember, we’re your garment cleaning and care experts—even for technical sportswear.

When to throw it in the washer and when to give it to us?  Convenience and quality aside, there are situations when dry cleaning simply is the best choice: Acetate, rayon or silk, leather or fur garments or trim, tricky to iron, structured or tailored with interfacing, specially finished, stiffened garments. The number one reason – your garment is expensive, fragile or special and you want the very best result. We do it all, from dungarees to designer.

Definitely do add fashionable scarves to your look this winter. Gently untie, smooth and hang folded gently so the wrinkles can naturally relax. Never iron a scarf after wear – the heat can darken and set invisible soils and skin oils. Do wear a scarf with fur, leather and suede to prevent collar soiling from skin oils or makeup. When your scarf needs freshening, ask for hand finishing to preserve the hand rolled hem or fragile fringe.

Favorite sweater stretched? Of course, only your most loved knitwear would lose its perfect fit. Let us know and we can block it the right size and shape when we clean it. We’ll even keep measurements on file for special garments – remember, we’re customer service specialists. May we serve your sweater’s special needs?