Q & A: Incredible Shrinking Comforter
Q I washed a comforter that shrank. What happened?A Some natural relaxation shrinkage can show up after cleaning household items such as comforters, bedspreads, and blankets. There is usually a fullness of the backing or shell fabric, causing a puckered appearance....
Velvet: A Royal Fabric
Velvet is one of winter’s fashion favorites, especially crushed velvets and velvet garments with decorative trim. Many types of apparel are made of velvet, including pants, dresses, gowns, coats, capes, and jackets. Velvet is also popular for household items, such as...
How Do You Like Your Shirts?
Starch and sizing additives can increase the firmness of fabrics, particularly on dress shirts. These additives can protect and harm shirts at the same time. Shirts undergo two types of abrasions. Flat abrasion occurs when the shirt rubs against another surface. Flex...
Look Your Best at (formal) Parties
Enjoy the party, but with the festivities spills, splashes, and other party-time mishaps, as well as wear alone, can take their toll on these expensive items.Many formal wear garments are made of luxurious fabrics, such as taffeta, moire, satin, organza, metallic...
Making Draperies Last
Draperies can be susceptible to a wide variety of problems, ranging from shrinkage and fading to stains and abrasion damage. Too often we only think of cleaning draperies after they’ve been framing our windows for a few years. Sometimes problems can develop over time...
Back To School
Getting ready for another year of school almost always calls for at least one shopping trip. Whether you're a teacher, parent, or college student you've got some looking good to do this year. The most important thing for students is to be comfortable in what they're...
Update Your Fall Closet
The first step toward having a great wardrobe is being able to work with what you already own. You may think you need to start from scratch, but what about those great clothes you already have in your closet? If you have a great skirt and no matching blazer, why buy a...
Stains From Sunscreens And Suntan Lotions
Summer time … whether it’s hanging out on the beach, walking in the park or heading out on a family vacation, sun protection is important. Many products used to help protect your skin from the sun or enhance your skin tone can cause stains to fabrics. Most of these...
Prevent and Treat Common Summertime Stains
Your picture of paradise may include cheeseburgers, soda, ice cream, pizza, and other summertime favorites, but that picture undoubtedly doesn't include spots on your shorts and shirts. These tips will help you confront the stains of summer. For a care-free stainless...
Outdoor Gear Care Guide
Finally, a chance to get away and see the great outdoors. The weather can be a bit unpredictable. A properly-waterproofed tent can be a great place to wait out a storm. To avoid sleeping in a puddle, you'll do well to waterproof tents once a year. Here are a few more...