Party Garment Hacks – Don’t Get Dressed Without Them!

Keep your party clobber looking its festive best with our unmissable garment care tips.

Sequins are all the rage so if you’re rocking them this season, know this: ALWAYS check the label before cleaning. Some go in the machine, some are hand wash or dry-clean only. Some absolutely must not be dry-cleaned. It’s all very confusing so trust the label.

Also, spot clean to avoid over washing, revive with fabric freshener and steam, not iron, to remove wrinkles.

Silks and delicate fabrics are heavenly to wear but can be hellish to look after. Most are destined for dry-cleaning but for those that can be hand washed, use cool water and soak – don’t scrub.

Rinsing silks in a mild vinegar solution (1/4 cup of vinegar to a gallon of water) helps restore the shine. Just be sure to rinse thoroughly afterwards to avoid eau de chip shop. And, of course, always iron on the silk setting.

If you’re going to suit it ‘n boot it this Christmas make sure you look the business. Wash your dress shirt on a gentle cycle before giving it an expert press. Never iron a stain as this will set it – check out our stain tips below to get rid first.

Save your suit from over-dry cleaning by spot cleaning small stains and airing between wears. Steaming your suit will take care of unwanted odours as well as keep it looking super sharp.

Whether it’s an understated, fair isle-patterned pullover or a full-blown Santa’s-grotto-of-a-sweater, learn how to care for your knitwear in our brilliant blog.

We’ll just add that embellished knits (think bells, bobbles and fabric carrots) need extra protection so put them in a garment bag or pillow case before loading into the machine. If in doubt, hand-wash. Anything with lights and sounds should steer clear of water so steam clean instead.

With all that yuletide cheer, there’s bound to be the odd spillage. Tackle festive stains with these brilliant hacks (always check the label first, obvs):

Blot mulled wine mishaps with kitchen paper pronto. Next, pour over soda water before flushing the area with boiling water and watch the stain vanish quicker than a plate of warm mince pies.

Talking of mince pies, those crumbly morsels have a habit of leaving their mark. Gently scrape any residue before rinsing the area with cold water. Tackle with some bio laundry liquid, then soak for 15 minutes before washing as normal. Works a treat for Christmas pud and chocolate too.

Missed the plate? Don’t sweat it over gravy stains; blot (don’t rub) any excess before treating with stain remover or bio detergent. Leave it to work its magic for 15 minutes before popping in the wash, while you finish dinner in your undies.

A splodge of cranberry sauce should be scraped with a round edge knife then flushed under cold running water. Work in an enzyme-based stain remover and leave for 15 minutes before laundering.

If you’re fast, all a fresh coffee stain needs is a good rinse under cold water. If the stain’s a little more stubborn, pour on some liquid laundry detergent and let it soak for a few minutes (older stains will need longer) before washing.

And there you have it. Looking good, everyone!