Summer in the Miami Valley means outdoor weddings, afternoon rounds of golf or pickleball… and the inevitable “glow” that comes from 90% humidity. UV rays, salt, and sunscreen can all wreak havoc on your fabrics. Keep the focus on summer fun with these fabric care tips.
Managing Everyday Sweat
Humid temps make it hard to keep your summer wardrobe looking fresh. Your favorite blouse or button-down can fall victim to underarm stains, leading you to spend money on replacements. Pre-treat sweat stains immediately after wearing your items, and consider choosing natural fibers in looser styles that allow for air movement.
Wearing a suit on a hot day? Hang it in a well-ventilated area immediately after wearing, and plan to have suits cleaned regularly throughout the warm-weather months. Leather shoes also need more “airing out” and “rest” between the times they’re worn. Fox Cleaners offers expert suit cleaning and can clean leather items like shoes, ensuring people remember you and not smelly sweat.
Golfing in Style
Many golfers sport high-performance polos and traditional mercerized cotton. If you’ve ever noticed that moisture-wicking shirts and pants aren’t keeping up with your golf game and don’t last more than a year or two, try skipping fabric softeners. Sunscreen can also contribute to stains on shirt collars. Try applying lotion 15 minutes before dressing to allow time for drying so the chemicals don’t transfer to the fabric.
Keeping Racket Sport Clothing In Play
Racket sports like tennis and pickleball lean heavily on spandex, nylon, and other synthetic fabrics. Add sweat into the mix, and “tennis whites” turn yellow faster than you can call your opponent’s serve out-of-bounds. Don’t let sweat sit in fibers; rinse out your favorite workout wear right after you’re done on the courts. And skip the dryer if you can… the high heat can damage the “stretch” in your athletic gear.
Summer Clothes That Travel
When you’re ready to hit the road for a lake getaway or destination event, don’t make your clothing an afterthought. If you’re spending time IN the lake, be sure to dry out bathing suits and towels before shaking off sand. You might even need to wash your items in vinegar before traditional laundering if they are smelling especially “swampy.”
Planning a summer trip that requires more “dressing up”? Look for wrinkle-resistant fabrics and consider wrapping clothing around items like a toiletry bag to avoid hard creases. No matter where you’re going, keep dirty clothing separate, and think about getting your items professionally cleaned at Fox Cleaners to make post-vacation re-entry less stressful.
Win the Summer Wedding Season
Weddings often lead to invisible stains like champagne and white wine which can turn yellow if not treated quickly. Blot, don’t rub these spots until you can properly treat the garment. Outdoor weddings mean grass-stained hems. Don’t risk losing a garment due to poor stain treatment. The fabric experts at Fox Cleaners can resolve your stains and keep your best threads ready for the next big occasion.
Brides get special care at Fox Cleaners, with full-service dress prep and preservation services for after the big day. Click here to learn about our professional cleaning and preservation services.
DIY or Delegate?
Don’t spend your summer stressing about your clothing. The fabric experts at Fox Cleaners have served the Dayton area since 1947. In addition to dry cleaning and stain solutions, they offer carpet cleaning, laundry service, and more. Take a few minutes to drop off your items or schedule a free pickup. Visit TheFoxCleaners.com for details.
