Beyond the ironing board
If keeping your clothing looking magnificent is a priority for you, then ironing and steaming are surely on your to-do list. However, the process of taking care of your fabrics and garments starts before you bring out the ironing board. In fact, there are plenty of things you can do to guarantee that your items will look better for longer.
Preventing shrinking and stretching
Washing your favorite items and having them shrink is a terrible feeling, but shrinking and stretching are relatively common mishaps. Preventing this isn’t impossible though, and starting off your laundry cycle by reading all labels carefully is a very important step. When it comes to taking steps to prevent damage, using cold or warm water and using the gentle cycle will always help. Hand-washing clothes that are extra delicate is highly recommended as well. Finally, consider air-drying your clothing to prevent shrinking and lay out items made of wool or knit fabrics to prevent stretching. If you opt for machine drying, make sure to avoid excess heat as higher temperatures tend to be more damaging to your garments.
The laundry cycle
Carefully selecting water temperature for each specific load is key: cold water, for example, prevents delicate fabrics from shrinking and helps keep sensitive, darker items from bleeding. Hot water, on the other hand, will work wonders on heavily-stained clothing and is recommended for bedding and towels. Keep those lighter items as bright as possible by not mixing them in with dirtier, darker fabrics. If you see that your pristine white tees come out looking not-so-bright, take a look at what you’re washing them with to avoid having them come out dull the next time.
Delicate fabrics
The way you care for your more delicate fabrics will determine their longevity. When you wash your silk or lace items, make sure you’re using detergents that are suitable for silk or delicates. Separate your colors beforehand and wash similar hues togethers. Always hand wash these garments in cold water, and use a small amount of fabric softener during your final rinse before laying the item out flat to dry. When it comes to removing wrinkles and creases from silk, Philips’ handheld steamers will do the trick every time. Steam will also work wonders if your lace items need some smoothing out.
Find the best steam generator for you
Steam&Go Handheld garment steamer
GC362/86
Compact solution for easy de-wrinkling
Easier steaming with SmartFlow heated plate. Use vertically or horizontally on difficult-to-iron areas and to refresh clothing - no burns guaranteed. Lightweight & compact design makes it easy to use anytime anywhere. Just steam and go!
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