Garment Care 101

Garment care is an essential aspect of clothing storage. It is immensely important that you treat your clothing with respect and protect it from a wide array of elements that could potentially damage your wardrobe. This is the heart of Garde Robe as a business. We ensure, as a luxury organizer and clothing storage operation that your garments are protected and kept in archival condition.

It is vital, however, that every individual know how to properly care for the garments they have in their closets, drawers, and boxes within their homes and businesses. FabricLink's Fabric Care Center is a great online resource that teaches users the ins and outs of different fabrics, how to care for them, and how to understand their behavior. Fabrics have a mind of their own and can be pretty tricky!

Check out FabricLink's Care Center here and take a few minutes to educate yourself about caring for your wardrobe.

San Diego and Las Vegas get Luxury Wardrobe Storage and Valet Service

I just found some more coverage we've recently received online!

San Diego Modern Luxury highlighted our partnership with Margaret's, "whose garment care is so legendary we know at least one NYC editor who mails her clothes to them for cleaning." Check it out here!

The Las Vegas Review-Journal called our service a "godsend" for those who travel frequently and "loathe the packing process, no matter how well-coordinated their system."

I think our vice president puts it best: “Our clients are definitely passionate about what they have in their closets,” Greenberg says. “You wouldn’t buy a Bentley and park it in a cheap garage.” Find the full article here.

San Diego Stylist Shares Luxury Wardrobe Storage Service

Mahjuba Levine is San Diego’s own reverent personal and fashion wardrobe stylist. With Mahjuba’s extensive background in fashion and styling, her work for print has appeared in various local and national publications. In 2002,Closet Therapy was launched and since continued to help many women and men build there confidence through creating a wardrobe that is essential to their everyday life.

Mahjuba recently had a chance to check out Garde Robe in San Diego, one of our four new locations. "This is a dream come true for fashion devotees with extensive seasonal wardrobe, priceless evening wear and accessories," says Mahjuba. "I am often working in closets with limited space and amazed at what people can fit into these spaces. Garde Robe will be the future in how we store and take care of our cherished wardrobe." Well, it looks like the future is here!

Check out her blog here.

AICI Garment Care Storage Tips

WINTER WARDROBE STORAGE TIPS

Spring is just around the corner. As an image consultant, your primary objective is to help your clients look their best. Identifying the proper wardrobe to create a look is the first step, but proper maintenance of one’s wardrobe is equally critical as it can extend the life of certain garments by several years. Therefore, we’ve created this introductory summary to help you advise your clients on proper winter wardrobe preparation and storage.

• Always make sure garments are properly cleaned prior to storing them for an extended period of time. Even if the garment looks clean, if it has been worn it may have bacteria and or body oils that will damage the fabric if left untreated for several months. You should always remove your dry cleaner’s clear plastic bags immediately as these bags emit gasses that can cause discoloration and don’t allow the garment to breathe properly.

• Purchase and use the proper storage supplies. Acid-free tissue, breathable cotton garment bags and breathable canvas boxes are inexpensive and vital to maintaining a garment’s pristine condition. Boot trees and toe shapers for footwear and appropriate hangers are also highly recommended. Proper storage conditions and ventilation is essential. Garments should not be subjected to dust, sunlight, humidity or drastic changes in temperature, so basements and attics are not recommended in most cases. Proper spacing between garments must also be taken into account – never crowd garments into a small area in the back of the closet because they need to breathe. Be extra cautious when storing leather and suede as these fabrics can bleed into one another – use acid-free tissue to separate these garments. Never store furs at home as they must be stored in special cold storage units. Always use a reputable furrier and have the fur revitalized as needed.
  

• Fold all knits with acid-free tissue to avoid creasing the individual fibers and place them in a breathable box with the heaviest ones on the bottom. Material damaging insects such as moths will be attracted to cashmere and other natural fibers, especially if bacteria are present. Placing cedar and lavender sachets in the boxes works as a deterrent and is far more pleasant than moth balls. However, the sachets often contain oils so be cautious to avoid direct contact between the sachets and garments. Heavily beaded garments should also be folded with tissue and not hung in most cases.
  

• Hanging garments require proper hangers and breathable garment bags. Hanger selection should take into account the type of garment and its weight. Heavy garments such as winter coats should be stored on strong, padded hangers. In most cases, pants and slacks should be hung from the hem or cuffs to avoid creasing. Take advantage of a garment’s support straps or loops to avoid stretching.

Named "Best Secret Service" by New York magazine, Garde Robe is New York's only luxury wardrobe storage and valet service. Ideal for New York residents with extensive clothing and footwear collections and/or inadequate closet space, Garde Robe provides climate-controlled luxury storage for off-season or infrequently worn clothing, shoes and accessories, professional photography and online wardrobe catalogs, complimentary same-day pick up and delivery, luggage-packing and shipping services, and more.

www.garderobeonline.com (212) 255-3047