If Your December Calendar Is Full, Your Clothes Need This Before You Head Out

Give Every Outfit a Quick Press or Steam

Wrinkles tend to show up the most in photos and bright indoor lighting, which is the last place you want your clothes to look tired. A quick steam or press helps reset the shape of the fabric, making you look more put-together, even if you’re running from one event straight into the next.

How to Prep Your Clothes with a Quick Steam or Press

Before you grab the hanger and head out the door, here’s what to check:

• Use steam for delicate fabrics. Materials such as silk, satin, and velvet respond better to steam because it relaxes the fibers without pressing them flat.
• Save ironing for structured pieces.Dress shirts, suit pants, and crisp cotton garments need a warm iron to keep edges sharp and seams defined.
• Refresh items between dry cleaning visits.A quick steam works wonders for clothes that don’t need a full clean yet need a little pick-me-up before an event.

Do a Fast Lint, Hair, and Dust Check

Winter fabrics, especially wool, knitwear, and cashmere, tend to attract everything floating around your home, car, or office. A fast once-over with a lint rollerkeeps your clothes looking clean, neat, and photo-friendly.

Where Lint Loves to Hide

Once the surface looks smooth and clear, you’ll want to double-check these quick trouble spots:

• Shoulders and upper back.Coat friction and car seats make these areas magnets for hair and dust.
• Hems and lower edges. Longer coats, skirts, and trousers brush against surfaces and pick up debris fast.
• Inner folds and seams.These spots collect fuzz that only shows once you start moving or snap a picture.

Inspect for Odors from Previous Wear

Odors from perfume, food, smoke, sweat, or even outdoor air tend to cling to fabrics more in colder months. A fast smell check helps you catch anything that could become noticeable in a crowded room or close-up photo moment.

What to Do If You Catch an Odor

If you detect even a hint of something off, here’s how to figure out the next best step:

• Let it air out before assuming it needs a wash. Hanging clothes in fresh air or near a circulating fan can neutralize light odors.
• Spot-treat areas that tend to hold scent. Underarm sections, collars, and inner linings are often the source of most lingering smells.
• Schedule a quick dry cleaning visit for anything stubborn.Professional cleaning lifts odor molecules trapped deep inside fibers and restores freshness.

Check Buttons, Zippers, and Loose Threads

With so many events packed into a few weeks, small wardrobe malfunctions can easily turn into avoidable emergencies. A quick hardware check keeps your clothes functional and prevents last-minute frustration.

How to Make Sure Everything Stays Secure

Once you’ve taken a quick look, here’s what to focus on next:

• Check every button, not just the top button.Lower buttons on shirts, coats, and dresses loosen the fastest because they catch tension while you move and sit.
• Test your zippers. A stuck zipper at home is annoying; a stuck zipper at an event is a disaster.
• Trim or secure loose threads.A dangling thread can catch on something and create a bigger tear, especially with delicate fabrics.

Pretreat Any Small Stains Before They Set

December is full of unexpected spills – makeup transfers, drink splashes, food drips, and the occasional mystery mark you don’t even remember getting. The key is catching these small stains before heat, time, or friction makes them permanent. 

How to Manage Small Stains Safely

Once you identify a stain, here’s the safest way to handle it:

• Always blot, never rub.Rubbing pushes stains deeper into the fibers and makes them harder to remove.
• Treat only with a gentle, fabric-safe method. For delicate or dry-clean-only items, dab with a clean cloth and leave the heavy lifting to professionals.
• Take stained pieces to a dry cleaner sooner rather than later. Fresh stains lift easier during a professional cleaning, especially on silk, wool, and other holiday fabrics.

When December fills up faster than your inbox, the clothes you reach for need to be just as ready as you are. Leave dry cleaningto us at Best Cleaners! We’ll make sure your holiday outfits are ready for every moment without the stress.

With decades of award-winning service and national recognition, you can trust your favorite pieces are in expert hands all season long. And if you don't have time to drop off your items at our store, use our FREE Pickup and Delivery Service instead.

Create your Best Cleaners accountto start enjoying this convenient service. You may also call us at 518-412-7373 for more information.