How to Get Rid of Snags, Pilling, Yellowing and Other Ways to Keep the Clothes You Love Looking Good Longer

When you hear the word investment, what comes to mind?  Land, a house, the stock market? Investment is defined as the action or process of investing money for profit or material result. In other words, we purchase something with the expectation that it will eventually generate income for us. Having said this, would you consider your clothing an investment? Think of someone whose appearance or image you admire. What investments have they made to get to where they are? Do you think they were just born that way? Good looks, great style, comfortable income? Think again.
People with a successful image use their clothing as a resource, a tool they can control and use to help them achieve their goals and objectives. Sound familiar? People with a successful image invest in clothing to achieve their goals, which could mean financial goals as well as more personal goals such as genuine self-worth.  Your wardrobe is an investment and should be cared for as you care for a property or portfolio from which you generate a material result. It is, after all, made from material…(pun intended.)
Here are 5 ways to protect your investments, your wardrobe investments, so that they can provide big returns for you. ​

1. Snag repair tool – consider this one from Miles Kimball.  Instead of discarding your favorite rayon blouse or sweater because of a snag, use a snag repair tool by gently pulling the snag to the back of the fabric and realign the fibers.  Find the snag repair tool Here.

2. Sweater Stone– quickly removes unsightly fuzz balls and pilling from knit garments and other clothing $7.95  from Nordstrom.  Get the Sweater Stone Here.

3. Sewing kit – we like this sewing kit from Stansport because it has many different colors of thread to easily match the garment, ($2.99.) This is the time to finally sew the button back on that shirt!  Remember, your clothes can’t work for you if you don’t work for them.  Take the five minutes and sew that button during your favorite TV show. Find the sewing kit Here.

4.  Leather and Suede Protector – creates a resistant barrier that protects against water, stains and dirt. If you have not  used this, you know how quickly suede gets damaged by dirt, water, etc.  Spray on this protector as soon as you buy those blue suede shoes to keep them looking fabulous for years.  The cost is around $7 from most drug stores.

5.  Baking soda – How to remove yellow pit stains from white shirts?  White shirts can be classic pieces that will stand the test of time, but how to keep them looking timeless?  Mix four tablespoons of baking soda with one quarter cup water. Scrub the paste into the armpits with an old toothbrush or fingernail brush.  Let sit for an hour. Wash and dry-not with high heat.
It’s time to get ready for the holidays!  Spending a few dollars and a little time on closet care this Fall will save you time and frustration each time you get ready for your holiday gatherings. Take care of your wardrobe and it will take care of you. Don’t take care of it and your closet will feel cluttered with pieces that you can’t wear – limiting your ability to dress the part on any given day.  Be ready for the holidays and start 2016 off on the right foot by utilizing your most undervalued and yet most profitable investment …. your wardrobe.

Written by Dani Slaugh and Judith Rasband, AICI CIM