CARE FOR YOUR WATSON ELLIS

Caring for Your Custom Suit: General Cleaning and Maintenance Tips

Cleaning Tips

  1. Professional Cleaning: When having your suit professionally cleaned, always request a hand press. Be sure to ask your cleaner to cover the buttons with foil before ironing to avoid breaking them.

  2. Spot Cleaning: If your suit is spoiled or stained in a specific location, request a spot clean only, or you can do it yourself using dish soap and a cotton washcloth. Whenever possible, opt for a press and refresh instead of full dry cleaning.

  3. Traveling with Your Suit: Be mindful of what you carry with your suit. Hanging bag straps over your shoulder can shift the interlinings, flattening the shoulder pads and causing wear to the fabric. We recommend using bags with short handles or a wheeled suitcase for travel.

  4. Button Care: Our buttons are attached using a technique called “shank” or “stand,” allowing space for the fabric. However, if a button unwinds over time, it’s an easy fix! Just bring the garment back to us, and we’ll reattach for free!

  5. Button Care #2: Our natural buttons (horn, shell, corozo) can break because they are made from organic elements, not polyester (although we do carry poly buttons as well!) The best way to avoid breakage is to avoid using a hot iron directly on top of the buttons, a good dry cleaner will know this, but sometimes you have to remind them ;). If a button breaks, just bring the garment back to us, and we’ll replace or repair your buttons for a small fee.

Maintenance Tips

  • Expect Wear and Tear: Suits are durable, but maintenance is often needed. We offer in-house repairs for a small fee, and our team will inform you if something is beyond repair due to wear or weight fluctuation.

  • Understanding Wear Patterns: Wear and tear is normal and can be influenced by individual habits, body shapes, and specific behaviors. If you know you wear harder in certain areas, consult your tailor for appropriate fabric choices and/or reinforcement options.

  • Trouser wear: Common wear spots include the fork of the trousers. More delicate fabrics may not hold up well, and while adding features like a gusset can help, they are not comprehensive solutions. For these body types its best to go for a looser fit where possible to allow for natural airflow and less rubbing of the material. Abrasive seats in office environments can also damage suits significantly.

  • Blind Stitching: Some areas of trousers and jackets employ blind stitching, which is designed to break before the fabric itself is damaged, such as the hem at the base of trousers. No problem, just bring it back to us for a reattachment.

Pointers for Wool Care

Cleaning Tips

Be sparing when getting any wool garments dry cleaned. Two times a year is completely sufficient, more than that is a lot. Wool is antimicrobial, meaning it doesn’t hold on to bacteria and is self cleaning. If you get food on your suit you can absolutely spot clean with a mild soap and cotton washcloth. Also brushing your suit with a boarhair brush can really revive the fibers and shake out any dirt, dust, or animal hair with minimal effort.

Maintenance Tips

Storing your wool suit properly will ensure its longevity and keep it looking sharp for years to come. Follow these essential steps to maintain its structure and fabric quality:

  1. Clean Before Storing: Have your suit professionally cleaned before storing it for a season. This removes any stains or oils that could damage the fabric over time. Avoid dry cleaning too frequently, as the chemicals can wear down the wool fibers.

  2. Use a Quality Garment Bag: Invest in a breathable garment bag made of cotton or a similar material. This prevents dust accumulation while allowing air circulation, which helps prevent mildew.

  3. Choose the Right Hanger: Use wide (thick) curved shape hangers to support the shoulders of your jacket. This helps maintain its shape and avoids creases or stretching.

  4. Properly Fold Pants: For your suit trousers, hang them from the waistband or fold them neatly with pleats aligned. You can also use clips on a hanger, ensuring that the fabric is not pinched or stretched.

  5. Store in a Cool, Dry Place: Keep your suit in a closet that is well-ventilated, away from direct sunlight, and in an environment with low humidity.

  6. Avoid Overcrowding: Give your suit enough space in the closet to breathe. Avoid cramming it alongside other garments, which can cause wrinkles and compress the fabric.

  7. Check Periodically: Regularly check on your stored suit. Look for any signs of moth activity or fabric damage. A few cedar blocks or lavender sachets can help deter pests and keep your suit fresh.

Pointers for Velvet Care

Velvet is a luxurious and delicate fabric that requires special care to maintain its beauty and integrity. Below are some essential tips for cleaning, storing, and maintaining your cotton velvet garment. We mostly work with cotton velvet so the advice below pertains to the cotton velvet fiber.

Cleaning Tips

  1. Dry Cleaning: Velvet is a delicate fabric, and frequent washing can damage its texture/pile. It's best to dry clean your velvet suit.

  2. Spot Cleaning: For small stains, gently dab the area with a damp cloth. Avoid rubbing, as this can harm the fabric.

  3. Avoid Direct Heat: Never use an iron directly on velvet, as it can crush the pile and leave marks. Instead, use a garment steamer to remove wrinkles. Hold the steamer at a distance or steam from the inside of the jacket to prevent damage. If you must use an iron, place a pressing cloth between the iron and the velvet and use the lowest heat setting.

  4. Professional Care: For deep cleaning, always go to a professional dry cleaner experienced with velvet. Ensure they know how to handle delicate fabrics properly.

Storage Tips

  1. Hanging: Store your velvet suit on a molded hanger to maintain its shape and avoid wrinkles.

  2. Environment: Hang the suit in a cool, dry place. Avoid plastic garment bags, as velvet needs to breathe. Instead, use a breathable fabric garment bag.

Maintenance Tips

  1. Avoid Friction and Pressure: Velvet is prone to crushing, so try to avoid sitting for long periods while wearing it or applying pressure to the fabric. But also note, that the beauty of velvet is that it changes over time and the crushed velvet look is also very cool.

  2. Brushing: After wearing, refresh the nap and remove any dust or lint by gently brushing the suit with a soft-bristle clothes brush. Embrace the natural wear of velvet, as it adds character to the fabric.

  3. Be Cautious with Liquids: Velvet is sensitive to water, which can cause stains. Avoid wearing the suit in rainy or damp conditions, and be careful around liquids when wearing it.

Pointers for Mohair Care

Learn More About Mohair: For more information about mohair, we recommend visiting the Mohair South Africa website.

Cleaning Tips

  1. Hand Washing: Mohair suits should be washed carefully by hand to avoid damage. Avoid twisting or wringing the fabric. Instead, lay the suit in a basin or sink filled with lukewarm or cool water and a few drops of wool soap or a gentle cleanser designed for delicate fabrics.

  2. Gentle Agitation: Gently agitate the water and lightly squeeze the fabric to dislodge any dirt or stains. Rinse the mohair thoroughly in lukewarm water.

  3. Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Do not dry clean your mohair suit, as harsh chemicals can damage the fibers. If you encounter stains, treat them immediately with a mild detergent. Never use bleach or fabric softener, as these can ruin the suit's texture.

Storage Tips

  1. Protection from Moths: Like most woolen fabrics, mohair is susceptible to damage from moths. Always clean the suit before storage, as soiled fibers can attract pests.

  2. Breathable Storage: Avoid storing your mohair suit in plastic, as the fabric needs to breathe. Instead, place it in a breathable fabric garment bag to protect it from dust and pests.

  3. Ideal Environment: Store the garment on a padded hanger in a cool, dry area, away from direct sunlight, to maintain its shape and prevent any damage.

Pointers for Linen Care

Linen, derived from the flax plant, is a beautiful and organic fabric known for its natural crinkles and wrinkles. Embrace its unique characteristics and enjoy the comfort it brings. Below are some essential pointers for cleaning and storing your linen garments.

Cleaning Tips

  1. Steam and Press Refresh: A steam and press will do wonders to reinvigorate your garment, do this before anything else, especially for the jacket. Hanging the garment in the open air (not in direct sunlight) is also a great tactic.

  2. Machine Washing: Linen fabric is strong and the pants can be machine washed. Keep your washing machine settings on a hand wash cycle below 60°C (140°F) to prevent excessive shrinking. Do NOT machine wash the jacket.

  3. Shrinkage Awareness: Due to linen's loose weave, you may notice shrinkage in your garments. The tumbling and friction in the washing machine will cause the strands to tighten. After washing, hang your garments to dry—this will help them to return to near their normal size. If you are machine washing, any linen garment is expected to shrink about 1-2%, usually in length.

  4. Avoid the Dryer: Do not use a dryer, as this can cause more extreme shrinking. Once hung to dry, your linen may feel a bit tight if worn immediately. A few minutes of wear will allow it to return to its comfortable size.

  5. Ironing: When ironing your linen garments, patience is key. Set your iron to high heat and gently press out wrinkles. It may take a little time, but the results will be worth it!

Storage Tips

  1. Cool, Dry Area: Store your linen garments in a cool and dry and DARK location to maintain their quality. Please note that long exposure to direct sunlight can bleach the color out of the fabric.

  2. Proper Hanging: Much like other suits, keep your linen garments hung up and fully supported by the shoulders. Ensure there is enough space to allow the fabric to hang freely, making it easy to access when traveling to and from your wardrobe.