Cleaning outer garments and 'laundry rituals'.

[India Mail]

Pondering my query earlier about 'sponge & press' advice, and the kind reply received, I wonder if I am concerned unduly about the washing regularly of outer garments.

Do fellow L.L. members send their suits to be dry-cleaned regularly? How often? Should one have one's suit/frock coat/over-coat treated thus? I have heard dry-cleaning is very harsh on fabrics, and it is difficult finding a reputable cleaner as well. Am I worrying un-necessarily about my garments getting musty, and should I just perform 'spot cleaning' on any individual stains? I believe outer clothing in Victorian times was difficult to clean, especially with the increased dirt in the environment from gas lighting, smog, &c.

May I invite other members to share their thoughts on the subject, please? I am still concerned about a (visually un-necessary) 'deep clean' of my frock coat, and whether I should bother.

Thanking you for any advice and comments.

[yialabis]

Dear India Mail ,
I rarely send my suits and coats to the dry cleaners even so he is someone I relatively trust . I might send them once in the beginning of the season and often I don't even to that . It all has to do with the way we look after our clothes . When I take my suit off I hang it outside on the balcony and I brush it thoroughly with a good brush . I'm lucky enough as my surroundings are full of trees and especially pine trees and fir .Those two trees and the help of a nice fresh breeze from the mountain makes my suit feel alive and new ..100 times better then any dry cleaners . When it comes to stain cleaning , I suggest spot cleaning . There is not anything better and more natural then a moist sponge . Water does not harm the fabric , I get wet from unexpected rain often ....!!

regards
Vassilis