How Do I Handle Problems like Small Stains on My Suit without Taking It to the Dry Cleaner?

Suits are the go-to clothing for every wardrobe, providing class and elegance. However, they can be challenging to maintain. 

Dry cleaning is often the first thought that comes to mind for many people when considering how to maintain the sharp, crisp appearance of their suits. But what if you could deal with things like minor stains on your suit without sending it to the dry cleaner?

This blog will help you learn a few moves to maintain the pristine condition of your suit, allowing you to avoid dry cleaning and ultimately keep you looking fresh-cut

Reasons for Keeping Your Suits Clean before Taking Them to a Dry Cleaner Matters

Before we discuss how to freshen your suit, it's helpful to understand why a suit refresh is necessary. Suits are typically constructed from delicate textiles such as wool, cotton, and polyester, which can fade and lose their shape if not properly cared for. 

The standard of dry cleaning is often the go-to option for reviving your suit, but it can be pricey and isn't always necessary if you're looking to ban wrinkles, odors, or dust.

By preserving your suit's fabric and shape, without the damaging chemicals used in dry cleaning, your suit will last longer, keep its formality, and make you look professional and polished. Let's look for a way for you to do the same at home.

Use a Fabric Steamer

If harsh chemicals aren’t your thing, a fabric steamer is one of the best things you can have handy to freshen up a suit in no time. 

Steaming your suit removes wrinkles and revitalizes the fabric, making it look and feel clean and crisp. Steaming is less harsh than ironing, and for this reason, it extends the life of your favorite clothes, preserving a crisp, solid fabric.

A steamer not only removes wrinkles but also refreshes your clothing.

How to steam your suit:

• Hang your suit by itself, against a door on a hook or on a closet bar with nothing around it.

• Fill the steam pot with water and bring it to a simmer.

• Keep the steamer a few inches above the fabric and run it in a downward motion on the suit.

• Concentrate on areas that are more susceptible to wrinkles, such as jacket sleeves, shoulders, and pant creases.

• Be sure to do this on both the lining and outer fabric.

Steaming also helps eliminate wrinkles and effectively addresses mild odors. You could also add some fabric freshener to the steamer, so your suit will smell fresh too.

Use a Lint Roller

An easy way to freshen up your suit, lint rollers are a quick and effective solution for removing lint, dust, or even pet hair that's collected. If you've been wearing your suit all day or sitting in storage, a fast lint roll can work wonders.

Just give the suit a gentle sweep with the lint roller, and you'll be able to see all manner of dirt and debris caked onto those sheets. Lint rollers are a great, quick solution and a cheaper alternative when you're unable or unwilling to use professional cleaners.

Spot Clean with a Gentle Detergent

You don't always have to take your suit to the dry cleaner’s if it has just minor stains. The fabric can be cleaned with mild soap and water. 

Be sure to select a mild detergent specifically formulated for delicate fabrics or wool to avoid damaging the fibers.

How to spot clean your suit:

• Dilute some mild detergent in water.

• Apply the solution directly to the soiled area using a clean cloth or sponge.

• Gently blot (don’t rub) the spot, moving from the outside in.

• After the stain has been removed, blot the area again with a clean, damp cloth to remove any detergent.

• Hang dry to prevent fabric shrinkage.

Note: Always perform a spot test with the detergent on an inconspicuous area of your suit to ensure it doesn't discolor or damage the fabric.

Air Out Your Suit

Don’t wear the same suit two days in a row, let it breath and air out for it to be fresh again.  Leave your suit out in a fresh area while hanging if you can (overnight is best) to have the fresh air help remove any odors. 

You could also put a fabric freshener or scented sachet in the Jacket and pants for extra odor removal.

Want to make your suit smell even fresher? Use a little bit of fabric spray for suits. Always check if the spray is safe for your type of fabric, especially if it's wool.

Bonus Tip: Avoid hanging your suit in a strong-smelling area, such as near the kitchen or behind an open trash can, as this can cause it to smell.

Use a Clothes Brush

A clothes brush is also designed to revive a suit quickly. It is designed to pick up dirt, dust, and lint with ease without damaging the cloth. Regular brushing will remove the dirt buildup, particularly around the collar, shoulders, and cuffs of your suit.

How to use a clothes brush:

• Gently brush the suit with downward strokes, aligning with the natural grain of the fabric.

• Target spots that accumulate the most dirt and dust.

• Brush your suit at least once a week to maintain a fresh appearance between washes.

Store Your Suit Properly

Store your suit correctly. Proper storage is vital to prolong the life of your suit. A suit hung on the correct type of hanger will help maintain its shape and keep it wrinkle-free. 

Choose big-shouldered hangers that follow the line of the body's natural shoulder curve. This will help your suit maintain its shape and prevent it from becoming stretched or distorted out of proportion.

For pants, ensure they are hung by the waistband using a clip hanger or folded and stored flat. This method eliminates any crease lines or "pleating” effect.

Storage Tip: If you're not going to wear your suit for a while, consider hanging and storing it in a breathable garment bag covering to protect it from dust and moths.

Use Baking Soda to Eliminate Odor

If a suit starts to smell funky, baking soda can be an excellent natural remedy. Baking soda neutralizes odors without the use of solvents and is harmless to delicate fabrics like wool, cotton, and polyester.

How to use baking soda:

• Place the suit on a clean, smooth surface.

• Evenly apply a small amount of baking soda to the fabric.

• Remove baking soda after 20 to 30 minutes, when it has had a chance to absorb odors.

• Gently tap or brush away any remaining baking soda.

Alternatively, you can set your suit in a garment bag with an open container of baking soda, which can be cloth stuffed into a small pouch or sock. Let it hang overnight so the baking soda can deodorize your suit as it stays in its protective bag.

Pairing with Essential Oils for Extra Freshness

To make your power steaming even more luxurious, you can also add some essential oils to the mix. Essential oils, such as lavender, eucalyptus, or lemon, can also be used to add a mild, pleasant scent to your suit. This strategy will not only refresh your fabric but can also leave a calming aroma that lingers for hours.

How to steam with essential oils:

• Bring water to the brim of your fabric steamer.

• Add several drops of your favorite essential oil to it. Take it easy, as concentrated oils can stain if not diluted properly.

• Push it ahead and certainly steam your suit, just like a fresh, new one!

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This trick is excellent for refreshing on the go before work, a date, or an interview.

Spot Treat with White Vinegar

Another natural ingredient you can use to remove those stains and odors from your suit is white vinegar. It's antibacterial, so it doubles as a green, non-toxic cleaning product. The solution of white vinegar works best when you want to freshen up your suit between cleanings.

How to use white vinegar:

• Combine 1-part white vinegar and three parts water in a spray bottle.

• Spritz the affected areas (such as the collar and underarms) lightly with your solution.

• Remove and allow the suit to sit for 10-15 minutes, then blot with a clean cloth.

• Hang the suit to dry. The vinegar odor will dissipate as it dries, and what you'll smell when you return to the room will be just fine and fresh.

Note: Be sure to test the solution in an inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn’t discolor certain surfaces.

Refresh Your Suit with Freezing

Freezing your suit is a less orthodox strategy, but it can be effective in freshening up your suit beyond what dry cleaning can offer. This is because cold kills bacteria and can eliminate odors, making it a good option if you have an older suit in storage or one that could use a refresh.

How to freeze your suit:

• Put your suit in a garment bag to protect it from any freezer odors.

• About 24 hours in advance, place the bagged suit in your freezer.

• Let the suit thaw at room temperature once it has been removed from the freezer.

• The smell should decrease significantly, and your suit will be as good as new.

Regular Maintenance Is Key

It's essential to maintain your suit between washes to keep it fresh. But having a suit that will last you for years to come requires some upkeep.

• Rotate your suits: Wear each of your suits multiple times, but not on consecutive days. You should also give it a break from use, allowing the fabric to rest.

• Air out after wearing: After wearing, always air your suit, particularly if it has been worn for a long time or in warm conditions.

• Travel in a Garment Bag: Whenever possible, while traveling, keep your suit in a garment bag to prevent it from getting dusty or wrinkled.

When is the Time to Dry Clean?

Although the dry-cleaning alternatives above are beneficial for maintaining a suit's freshness, there are times when dry cleaning is necessary.

If your suit is deeply soiled, made from a fragile fabric, or has been exposed to chemicals, it may require professional dry cleaning. 

And if you want genuinely professional dry cleaning to bring the suit back as crisp, sharp, and dapper as possible, a trip to the dry cleaner’s is still unmatched.

If in doubt, always stick to the care instructions provided on an item's label. Some materials, such as silk or wool blends, may require dry cleaning due to their specific fabric content.