Laundry, leather, shoes and upholstery: how to clean, restore and care for the materials you live with.
Fabric is the material you touch most and understand least. Wool felts, silk water-spots, polyester holds a crease at the exact temperature that sets it, and leather wants oil on a schedule nobody told you about. The difference between ruining a garment and rescuing it is almost never effort; it is knowing what the fiber will tolerate before you start. That knowledge is this section.
The guides cover laundry beyond the care tag: shrinking things on purpose and un-shrinking them after accidents, stain treatment by fiber rather than by folklore, detergents and what the labels actually promise. Leather gets its own deep shelf, from cleaning and conditioning couches to mink oil, suede rescue and shoe care, including the specific rituals canvas sneakers reward. Upholstery, curtains, duvets and the rest of the household's soft goods round it out.
Two habits will save you more clothing than any product: test every treatment somewhere hidden first, and treat heat as a commitment, because what the dryer sets, no remedy fully undoes. When a piece is genuinely beyond saving, the guide says so before you spend an afternoon on it. Start with the fiber if you know it, the garment if you do not, and the search page speaks both languages.
Cleaning sneakers is not as Herculean a task as you might have thought it to be. You can’t just toss them into the washer and expect to wear them on drying. Shoes need to be hand washed to not just clean out tough spots, but also to retain their shape.
Oxford fabric is very popular due to its characteristics and multipurpose use. It is particularly used for making casual or sporty cotton shirts, pants, and other casual-to-formal garments. This HomeQuicks article outlines the characteristics and uses of the Oxford fabric.
Synthetic fabrics are popular for their resilience and low cost. But, choosing the right type of synthetic fabric can help you get the maximum from an article. HomeQuicks gives you an interesting comparison of polyamide vs. polyester fabric, with the help of their definition, uses, and other properties.
Very briefly, bicast leather isn’t genuine leather. However, it also cannot be called completely fake because it contains a small amount of real leather too. Sounds confusing? Don’t worry. HomeQuicks explains the concept of bicast leather, and also provides tips to differentiate it from real leather.
Moire fabrics are typically used French fabrics that have the texture that resembles a marble or the formation of ripples in water. It possesses a brilliant luster and a thicker feel. Know more about this glamorous fabric in this HomeQuicks article.
Olefin fabric is known to be a lightweight, yet tough fabric, which takes away moisture from the skin and is stain-resistant. These properties give this fabric an absolute advantage over many other fabrics that are available in the market today. This HomeQuicks post lists out facts and information about the resilient olefin fabric.
Rayon is a wonderful fabric with an amazing feel, besides having many advantages. It is also cheaper than most other fabrics. But, it is very important to take proper care of rayon fabric, as it shrinks easily and loses its strength when wet. Know more about this semi-synthetic fabric, in this HomeQuicks article.
Often used in upholstery, apparel, and accessories, leatherette is simply a faux version of pure leather. It is pretty cheap as compared to leather, but bears an exact leather-like finish. HomeQuicks provides a step-by-step explanation on how to clean leatherette. Take a look!
ChapSticks are a small handy sticks of lip balm that can easily fit in our pockets or bags. But, you sometimes wish they weren’t so handy when you forget them in your pocket and they stain your clothes after having gone through the washer and dryer. If you find yourself in a similar situation, HomeQuicks has provided 6 easy tricks to remove ChapStick stains out of clothes.
Nowadays, bamboo fabrics have become very popular due to their comfort, looks, and eco-friendly nature. In this HomeQuicks article, we will learn how to maintain this fabric’s looks, texture, and increase its life considerably.
You are just so sensitive about your Vans that you would rather make your girlfriend cool her heels than cross the street at the expense of wetting them. Very touchy, but where on earth does your sensitivity go when you just dump your Vans in the washing machine without knowing its material? In this HomeQuicks, know the dos and don’ts of cleaning your Vans shoes without ruining them.
Used since decades to wash and dry cars and trucks, the Chamois Leather Cloth is durable, extremely soft, and most effective in removing dirt that gets stuck on the body of your vehicles. This HomeQuicks article gives useful tips on the proper use and care of this natural sheepskin leather.
A fashion must-have, Timberland boots are known for their consistency, durability, and authenticity. HomeQuicks tells you how to clean Timberland boots in this article to keep your favorite fashion accessory as shiny as new!
Isn’t the fabric that holds on to the creases perfectly and becomes shiny with use will do wonders for your suit? If you are looking for such a fabric that is comfortable and durable, then opt for worsted wool. What is worsted wool, you ask? HomeQuicks comes forward to explain the same.
Your Sperry Top-Siders have stains, and you want to restore them to their original luster, it’s just that you don’t know how? Read the following HomeQuicks article for 7 great ways to clean your Sperrys.
Even in the case of nylon fabric, which is known for its durability and easy maintenance, it becomes important to know and follow the right method or instructions while caring for the same. This article provides some information about taking care of nylon fabrics.
Pressure/power washing is a very good technique to clean home exteriors. If done correctly, it could make your house look shiny and new. However, using this method on windows could be a bit tricky, as windows are delicate and prone to scratches and shattering. This HomeQuicks guide explains the best way to power-wash windows.
Mildew can cause the shoes to have an unpleasant musty odor. This HomeQuicks article presents some useful tips to get rid of mildew smell from shoes.
When you’re feeling imperial, reach for damask. It’s a patterned cotton, silk, or woolen fabric made on a Jacquard loom, which is often used in decorative fabrics and exquisite apparel. HomeQuicks gets you acquainted with it.
Polyester fiber is not easy to shrink and may require several treatments through heat to get this material shrunk to size. Albeit tedious, it is possible to shrink polyester, even if not to a great extent.
To keep woolen clothes looking as good as the day you bought them, it is necessary to follow correct washing and storing instructions. We provide all the essential tips to take care of woolen clothes.
A lot of us have wondered whether bleaching clothes is safe or not. There is no harm in bleaching garments, provided it is done in the right manner. Here are some useful tips below which will tell you how to bleach clothes so that they don’t get spoiled.
Silk is one such fabric that develops far less wrinkles than other fabrics. But if it does, a hair dryer, steamer or an iron can come in handy to turn your clothing wrinkle-free. Go through this article to know the right way of doing it, and some other tricks to carry out this task without causing any harm to the silk clothing...
Removing rhinestones can leave your clothes with patches and worn out. To avoid this, follow the different ways given in this article for removing rhinestones without harming your fabric.
Shedding is a very common problem associated with wool rugs. Let’s take a look at some ways by which this unwanted shedding can be minimized.
Common household machines like vacuum cleaners and dishwashers need to be cleaned periodically. This ensures that they remain in a working condition for long. This HomeQuicks article tells you how to correctly clean a garment steamer.
Your kid is behaving like an angel and playing contentedly, when all of a sudden you notice the stains on his clothing. Crayons! No wonder then he was happy coloring everything he could lay his hands on. What do you do now? Don’t panic. Here are a few measures you can undertake to remove crayon stains from clothes.
Fabric pilling can totally destroy the look of a particular fabric, and can be a very bad sight. Read this post to find out what causes fabric to pill.
Juice, pen ink, blood, chocolate, soda... what do all these items have in common? They are more or less liquid and they can easily stain fabric, leaving behind an unseemly mark. So what does one do with a water stained silk shirt or tablecloth? Here’s how to remove water spots from silk fabric.
Run out of shoe polish? Looking for alternatives to shoe polish? The answer to your shoe shine needs lies in items that are easily found in the comfort of your own home.
Are you looking for some alternatives to prevent your colored clothes from fading after a wash? Let us make your task quite easy with a few very simple tips on how you can wash your new colored clothes.
Nappa leather is the exceptional one from all the types of leather; it’s soft to touch as well as tough in wear and tear. That makes it an excellent for car seats and jackets, just two of its many uses.
Polo shirts are a signature habitue in every closet ... And you must know how to maintain your polo shirts to keep them from becoming coarse and finally shrink!
There are a number of alternatives to laundry detergent that you can opt for and keep your clothes safe from harsh chemicals. Chemical detergents can be replaced with safe and green products that are equally effective in cleaning laundry and making them odor free. Here’s more about the same.
The terms ‘soap’ and ‘detergent’ are often used interchangeably, though both differ in many ways. This article will provide you with a detailed comparison to help you differentiate between the two.
It is a common fact that leather accessories require special care and maintenance. Here are some tips about how to take care for a leather briefcase.
How to clean leather shoes with vinegar? How to maintain leather shoes? Read on to find the answers...
As chic as they might make you feel, cleaning a pair of leather footwear can be quite a task, especially if the issue at hand is that of malodor! Find out how to clean stinky leather shoes from the following write up.
Planning to buy a new pair of shoes because your old ones smell like a dead rat? Before spending money on new shoes, read the tips suggested in this article and see whether you can turn around your old ones...
If you know how to wash a duvet at home, then you can get rid of some pretty heavy laundry expenses. In this article, we have provided the process of washing duvets with a machine and by hand. Read the article to know the correct techniques...
