Investing in designer clothing means investing in quality — and quality deserves to be maintained. Whether it's a Burberry coat, a Hugo Boss suit, or a delicate silk blouse, every luxury garment benefits from proper day-to-day care between professional dry cleaning visits.
At Baiza Dry Cleaners, we've been caring for London's finest wardrobes for over 25 years. Here's exactly what we recommend.
1. Store Garments Correctly
Hanging clothes on wire hangers is one of the most common mistakes people make. Wire hangers distort shoulders and create pressure points in delicate fabric. Instead, use wide, padded hangers for suits and blazers, and wooden hangers for heavier coats. Fold knitwear and cashmere flat — never hang them, as gravity will stretch the fibres over time.
Ensure your wardrobe has adequate airflow. Clothes that are packed too tightly can't breathe, which encourages musty odours and can lead to mould in humid climates.
2. Air Out After Every Wear
Before returning any garment to your wardrobe, hang it in a well-ventilated area for at least 30 minutes. This allows body heat and moisture to dissipate and prevents odours from setting into the fabric. For suits and structured jackets, use a valet stand if you have one.
3. Spot Clean Immediately
When a spill happens, speed matters. Blot — never rub — with a clean white cloth to absorb as much of the liquid as possible. Rubbing spreads the stain and damages fabric fibres. For most fresh stains, cold water applied gently is your safest first response. Avoid heat, which sets stains permanently.
If in doubt, leave it for the professionals. We've rescued many a garment that an overzealous home stain treatment made significantly worse.
4. Use a Fabric Brush
A good quality clothing brush removes surface dust, lint, and debris that a lint roller misses. Brush suits and coats along the grain of the fabric after each wear. This keeps the fabric looking fresh and reduces how often the garment needs to be cleaned.
5. Know When NOT to Iron
Ironing incorrectly is a leading cause of permanent garment damage. Always check the care label first. Use a pressing cloth between the iron and the garment for anything delicate. Steam is usually safer than direct contact. And never iron a garment that is dirty — heat will lock stains in permanently.
For structured items like jackets, steaming is almost always preferable to ironing. We offer a professional steam ironing service if you'd prefer to leave it to us.
6. How Often Should You Dry Clean?
This depends on how often you wear the item. As a general guide:
- Suits and blazers: Every 4–6 wears, or when visibly soiled
- Coats and overcoats: Once or twice per season
- Formal dresses: After every wear (especially if worn to an event)
- Cashmere and wool knits: Every 3–4 wears
Over-cleaning can wear out fabric prematurely, so resist the urge to send items in after every single wear if they're not visibly dirty or odorous.
Bring Your Best to Baiza
When it is time for a professional clean, trust the experts. Baiza Dry Cleaners uses perc-free solvents that are gentler on your garments and the environment. We offer free collection and delivery across Tooting and surrounding areas on orders over £25.
Book a collection today and let us take care of your wardrobe.