Garment care symbols Project Runway Sandhya Garg

Garment Care

HAVE YOUR SANDHYA GARG DRESSES LOOKING NEW FOREVER

Fabric Care Symbols & Garment Care Label

Keep your favorite clothes fresh and new

Contemporary fashion garments are made from a wide variety of natural and man-made fabrics. Generally speaking, natural fibers like wool, cotton, linen, silk, hemp, jute, cotton silk blends, are highly absorbent and breathable. Garments made from some natural fibers can be less consistent in their weave, more difficult to produce and therefore are often more expensive. 

Man-made fabrics are woven from artificial fibers that are the by-product of chemical industries, specially processed for fabrics. They are often much easier to care for, less likely to wrinkle or loose shape, are more durable, stronger, quick drying and cheaper. 

Inclusion of a man-made fibre in a fabric made from natural fibers can introduce all these important qualities into the garment, as well as reduce its cost. If you take good care of your things they will last a long time – this cannot be more true for clothes than anything else. 

Fabric and garment care instructions
All garments come with fabric care instructions and are shown on a label stitched into the garment or on a swing tag or packaging. Read the instructions on each individual garment carefully before cleaning your garment so as to keep it in best condition and to extend its life.
Read the instructions carefully before cleaning your garment and remove stains as soon as possible. Some garments actually improve with some laundering and become more comfortable, but as a general rule do not over launder or over dry-clean your fashion garments. Be especially careful when handling them wet, dry them carefully and be extremely careful when ironing. Use a pressing cloth whenever possible.

It is true that the dresses you get nowadays are ‘use and throw’ stuff. But there are many clothing in your wardrobe which you may want to keep wearing for a long long time – the classics, the ones that fit you well, the heirloom one, or one of sentimental value like your precious wedding dress. And all you need to do is bestow some TLC- Tender Loving Care to your clothes. Here is how to -

16 Tips to follow for garment care

#1 Turn your clothes inside out

Turning your clothes inside out before washing is a good way to maintain their looks, while they are getting washed inside out there will be less damage or wear n tear on them.

#2 Buy high quality clothes

If the garment is made of good quality fabric with the best construction ( good stitching; sturdy seams ; interfaced hems and necklines) your job of garment care is made easier.Make sure that the seam stitching of the garment is strong and all embellishments are firmly fixed.

#3 Always empty pockets

Zip up the zippers, remove any pins , brooches, badges and remove delicate embellishments like ribbon flowers before washing the garment. Also separate clothes according to color before washing to make sure that colors do not bleed and latch onto other clothes.

#4 Don't overload 

Do not overload the washing machine and do not use too much detergent.

#5 Dry clean only

If you have a very expensive dress or a garment which says dry clean only, do not take the risk of cleaning it yourself. At least for the first two – three cleanings give it to the professionals. Choose the best dry cleaner you have in your vicinity. Do not settle for a cheap place – you will surely ruin your garment for the sake of saving pennies. Velvet, brocades, silk, expensive satin are all better left to the dry cleaners for cleaning. Tailored jackets and suits are also better dry cleaned.

#6 Wash linen separately

Wash bed linen like bed sheets, pillowcases and towels kitchen towels , terry towels separately from clothes. These fabrics give out lint and they will latch on to your clothes.

#7 Always was lingerie in lingerie bags

Always wash the lingerie especially brassieres in a lingerie bag in the washing machine. The delicate lingerie will last longer.

#8 Dry colored clothes away from direct sunlight

Hang to dry colored clothes away from direct sunlight or for a short duration. The colors may fade with exposure to sunlight.

#9 Fold dried clothes

Fold the washed and dried clothes and keep it neatly arranged inside the wardrobe rather than stuffed inside the laundry bag. There will be less wrinkles to iron.

#10 Don't hang sweaters

Do not hang sweaters and other stretchy clothes like those made with knit fabrics. They are best folded and laid down flat inside drawers.

#11 Use appropriate hangers

Rounded or padded hangers are great for hanging pants and shawls. Very thin metal hangers ( plastic coated) are inexpensive but not so great for hanging your expensive clothes. Never ever hang a wet cloth on these metal hangers. If there is a small crack on the plastic coating the metal rust stain will get on to the fabric (they are impossible to remove). If you have suits / tailored jackets do use special hangers for them with broad or padded shoulders.

#12 Rotate hanging clothes

If you are hanging clothes for a very long time, ensure that you change the fold at regular intervals. Otherwise the folded line may start to wear away.

#13 Spot clean and repair clothes

After wearing your dress if you notice that there is a spot in your dress made by a food spill or dirt, dab the spot with a wet tissue / cloth at once. With the time it takes you to get home and clean it or take it to dry cleaning the stain may have set in permanently. If there is a tear, then repair it immediately as washing will stretch the tear more. You might avoid doing this if you feel that the fabric of your dress will bleed with wet spot cleaning; if so a dry swipe will be all you can do – and then take it to the dry cleaners.

#14 Dry brush dirt away

A light brushing with a small garment brush may take care of dust. This brushing is also good for removing lint from the clothes

#15 Hang clothing in sunlight

After you have worn a particular dress, and you are not going to wash it this time, check for any sign of dampness, even sweat. Hang it out (outside or inside under a fan) to dry before hanging it inside the wardrobe. Dampness will cause ( especially from sweat ) a bad smell.

#16 All fabrics are not same

Learn all you can about the way you should treat different fabric fibers. Refer the chart below for caring instructions for different types of fabrics.

TYPES OF FABRICS

Cotton - Cotton is a natural cellulose fibre made from the cotton plant. It is a strong fibre like linen and in its natural state it is inelastic. Cotton has exceptional absorbency, making it extremely comfortable.  Dark colored cotton may bleed especially navy blue. The colors in this fabric fade fast . A spray starch / dip and starch will make cotton fabrics crisp and fresh, especially for collars and cuffs. Machine wash cold/ warm / hot; some shrinkage expected. However, many cotton dresses are made of pre-shrunk cotton fabric. High heat settings are alright. Tumble dry low; take more time to dry to avoid wrinkles.

Linen - Linen is a natural cellulose fibre made from flax plants. It is very strong and is stronger when wet than when dry. Not all linen can be washed by machine or hand ; some has to be dry cleaned. If fabric care label says washable use cold water only. Hand washing softens linen. Shrinkage is common, Tumble dry may cause wrinkles, Iron when damp to get rid of wrinkles/ cotton or linen settings. Use steam with medium or high heat.

Modal - Modal is a man-made bio-fibre, its main ingredient is tree pulp. It is highly absorbent and like cotton is highly suitable for dying. It is a type of rayon and shares some of its qualities, such as durability, and resistance to both shrinkage and fading. Modal can be cared for just like cotton with normal washing and ironing. 

Nylon (polyamide) - A man-made by-product of coal gas manufacture, nylon is a strong and elastic fibre and is usually wrinkle-resistant (except in very light weights). It loses its strength when wet but is very quick drying. Its lack of absorbency can make it uncomfortable to wear.

Polyester - A man-made by-product from petrol manufacturing, polyester is a strong, elastic, wrinkle-resistant fibre which retains its strength when wet. Because polyester is non-absorbent and a poor conductor it may feel hot and clammy in hot weather. Under certain conditions it allows static electricity to develop.

Ramie - Ramie is a natural fibre made from a flax-like plant. Ramie is similar to linen but is much coarser and stiffer and is mostly used for heavier, stiffer garments.

Silk - Silk is a natural protein fibre and is produced naturally by silk worm moth larvae. It has a very smooth handle and is essentially a strong fibre. Silk loses strength when wet and must be laundered carefully in cold or warm water. Hot water will yellow or dull the fiber’s natural shine.

Viscose (rayon) - A man-made fibre is made from cellulose from a plant. It is reasonably strong except when wet so care must be taken when washing, wringing should be especially avoided. Viscose is popular because of its smooth, lustrous feel and easy drape, and its absorbent nature makes it comfortable to wear.

Wool - A natural fibre and comes from the fleece of a sheep. The fibre ends can be prickly against the skin, although modern fabrics made from very fine wool fibers are less prickly and indeed many have no prickle at all. Wool is warm and an elastic fibre and does not wrinkle easily and is extremely absorbent. Wool is not a strong fibre and is at its weakest when wet and garments can loose shape. Wash and dry with care. Wool can be ironed with a press cloth before completely dry to remove any wrinkles. Use of a press cloth will stop the fibers becoming shiny.

ABOUT THE WRITER

Sandhya Garg is a Project Runway designer. She studied and specialized in women's fashion at London College of Fashion, UK and has worked at Alexander McQueen, Gucci, Liberty London, Alice Temperley to name a few. 

She has her own successful resort dresses, special occasion dresses, wedding guest looks, swim coverups label. While on Project Runway Season 13, she won 2 challenges and was fortunate to show her collection at Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week. The brand has been featured in Marie Claire US, Ftv.com, Elle Magazine, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Vogue online to name a few.

She designs limited edition high end printed spring dresses and swim coverups. Beautiful prints are inspired from around the world to be worn during travel, resort stay or cruise holidays.


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About the
author

Sandhya Garg is a Project Runway fashion designer. She studied and specialized in women's fashion at London College of Fashion, UK and has worked at Alexander McQueen, Gucci, Liberty London, Alice Temperley to name a few.

She has her own successful resort wear, vacation dresses, special occasion dresses, wedding guest looks, swim coverups label. While on Project Runway Season 13, she won 2 challenges and was fortunate to show her collection at Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week. The brand has been featured in Marie Claire US,Workshop at Macy's, Ftv.com, Elle Magazine, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Vogue online to name a few. 

She designs limited edition high end printed spring dresses, casual resort attire and swim coverups. Beautiful prints are inspired from around the world to be worn during travel, resort stay or cruise holidays.

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