Should You Dry Clean a Linen Suit?
Even though the sales of suits in the UK have decreased in recent years, this clothing item remains a staple on most people’s wardrobes. Whether you want to power dress at work or need something formal for a special occasion, suits are a brilliant clothing option for both males and females.
Linen suits are popular due to their timeless designs, long-lasting construction and sleek finish. Although these items are a preferred choice by many, as is the case with other linen items, the question of how best to care for the garment arises for many. Are dry cleaners the best for linen suit care, or should they be washed at home?
If you are stumped about whether you need to find an alternative for dry cleaning or if the traditional method is best, this is the article for you! Keep reading to learn how best to care for your timeless linen suit so that it remains a staple piece in your wardrobe for years to come.
Why Do Linen Suits Need To Be Handled With Extra Care And Attention?
Linen is one of the most sustainable materials available on the market, which is one of the reasons that it’s a popular choice for many. The process of making involves stretching and manipulating flax fibres into a fabric from which items can be constructed. Once they are stretched, a sheet of fabric is created that can then be used to create items. When it comes to more complex material patterns, such as the design of a suit, extra care needs to be applied to linen items as there are more components to maintain.
If you accidentally wash a linen suit at a warm temperature or store it incorrectly between wears, you will notice damage occurring. The main reason is that the flax fibres will contract to their original form if heat and/or water comes into contact with the garment. Furthermore, another issue to look out for is creasing, as this can cause permanent damage to the linen suit. This is because the fibres can become distorted and damaged, so returning an item to its intended size and shape is impossible.
Linen suits can be incredibly long-lasting but must be handled with extreme care to ensure they stand the test of time.
Is Washing Or Dry Cleaning Better For A Linen Suit?
Now, explore whether dry cleaning or washing is better for a linen suit. The answer, in short, is that dry cleaning is the superior option to traditional washing. Let us explain.
Dry cleaning puts less stress on the suit than traditional washing. With linen suits being made from complex constructions, this is essential to ensure as too much pulling or exposure to warm temperatures can lead to lasting damage. Dry cleaning works by adding specific cleaning solutions to items and then putting them into a machine that moves items around. This allows stains and general dirt to be cleaned without excessive pressure on the suit.
Dry cleaning machines then use a mixture of movement and heat to get the solutions working and to break down any dirt within the fabric. Although some water is created from the steam that dry cleaning machines produce, this is not enough to cause long-term damage if the item is processed professionally once the cycle is complete.
If you decide to wash instead of dry clean a linen suit, the heat and water elements will cause shrinking and damage. You can proceed to use a low heat and shorter cycle, but the results cannot be guaranteed, so dry cleaning is recommended as the safer option for linen suits and other garments.
What Are The Benefits Of Dry Cleaning A Linen Suit?
- A suit is an item you want to last for a long time as it is often more expensive to purchase. Dry cleaning a linen suit gives it the best chance of remaining in your wardrobe for years.
- Suits have a complex fabric structure, meaning they can be more susceptible to losing shape. Dry cleaning helps to keep the suit in its intended shape as it is a much more gentle process than machine washing.
- Nothing is worse than a creased suit when you want to make a positive and professional impression. Wrinkles are also more likely to be removed, saving time and pressure on the item. This also ensures a better result, giving you peace of mind that you can send a linen suit away for dry cleaning and expect it to be returned in brilliant condition every time. Dry cleaning is a proven way of removing wrinkles.
- Dry cleaning is also a proven way of maintaining the condition and appearance of items. This is essential for suits as they can make a bold statement when they look great but also leave a negative impression when they are not in perfect condition.
- You can only apply a cleaning agent to specific problematic areas when dry cleaning. This alleviates the need for all of the item fibres to come into contact with direct agents, helping to keep the linen suit in better condition for longer. This also means stains and troublesome odours can be target-treated to ensure they are fully removed.
- Dry cleaning is also a cost effective method. Our cost to dry clean a suit starts from just £13.25 for a two piece suit with options available for single components and also large loads of suits all being processed at one time.
How Should You Care For A Linen Suit In Between Dry Cleans?
Dry cleaning is a great way to ensure the quality of a linen suit, but you must also consider how best to care for the garment in-between wears. Although dry cleaning is a great way to refresh a linen suit, you should try not to process them too often, as damage can occur over time. The best ways you can care for linen suits in between washes are as follows:
Store Properly
Linen suits should be hung on a non-slip hanger with ample space around the item. The goal is to prevent items from being pushed together causing creases and damage. Also, a non-slip hanger is essential as this stops the fibres from pulling over time which can lead to a misshapen suit when you next come to wear it.
Let The Item Air
You should also let linen suits air from time to time. This keeps the fibres fresh and ensures odours don’t have time to leave a lasting condition on the fabric which would mean it needs to be washed or dry cleaned more frequently.
Only Wear When Required
Even if you love your linen suit, try to only wear it when it deserves an outing. Of course, with professional dry cleaning you can maintain a suit perfectly well so we are not saying don’t wear the item. Instead, we mean if you are not heading out the door for another hour, maybe change into the piece just before you go. Also if you get home from work, change out of the garment before you start sitting around or doing chores as this could lead to damage or stains that need an extra clean.
Why Are Love2Laundry Ideal For Linen Suit Laundry Services?
If you are looking at how much dry cleaning costs, you have decided this is the best method for your linen suits. Our service is ideal for linen suits due to our team’s expertise, proven dry-cleaning methods and attention to detail regarding quality management.
Book a dry clean today to test our services for yourself!
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