Ask Mary Lou

Each month, Mary Lou answers (and we post!) a fashion question from one of our site visitors. If you have something you want to know to help pull together your wardrobe with style and confidence, ask away!

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For June 2008:

Q: I am looking for ways to cut back on my spending. My monthly dry cleaning bill is higher than I would like. Any suggestions for significantly cutting it back?

A: With so many life maintenance expenses out of our control these days, taking charge of areas in which you do have some control makes sense. Here are some easy and cost-effective ways to manage your wardrobe to keep dry cleaning bills at a minimum:

Read the labels. You’ll save a lot of money over the life of your clothing if you can wash what you own by hand or machine. Before buying any garment, read the labels carefully and make an educated decision about what you are willing to add to your wardrobe that will cost extra to clean.
Choose shirts that don’t require ironing. No iron shirts can save you both time and money, especially if you have a business causal dress code at work and/or on the road and don’t always need the formality that a professionally laundered and pressed shirt provides. Many lines of shirts today offer a no-iron option for both men and women.
Fill your laundry area with the right tools. Keep items like drying racks (they allow you to dry items that can be hand washed without loosing their shape) and hangers (some items will require less ironing if they are hung as soon as they come out of the wash or dryer) in your laundry area. If the right tools are near by, you’ll be less likely to head to the drycleaner with items that can be easily cared for at home.
Consider home dry-cleaning kits. These are a good option for freshening your dry-clean-only garments in between trips to the cleaners. Be aware that they are not a substitute for a trip to the cleaners if dry-clean only garments are in need of a thorough cleaning. The main advantage of these kits is that they allow you to make fewer trips to the cleaner, so they can save you money.
Get dressed in the right order. If you use make-up, hairspray, perfume or cologne, put these on first before getting dressed. Let these products dry for at least 5 minutes before putting on your clothes. If five minutes seems like a long time (and in the morning many of us do not have even a minute to spare!), get dressed from the bottom up – putting your shirt, blouse or other top on last.
Wear a Scarf. Scarves can also prevent oil and makeup from transferring to your blouses and jackets. Scarves that are dark in color and/or have a pattern will hide stains best. Scarves tend not to have to be cleaned quite as often as shirts, blouses and jackets, making them a cost-effective shield in both the warm and cooler months.
Use disposable underarm shields. If perspiration is a problem, disposable underarm shields can be a lifesaver. Not only do underarm shields protect your shirts and other tops allowing you to cut down on the amount of dry cleaning required, but they also help protect your self esteem as you won’t spend your time worrying about embarrassing underarm stains.
Make sure pants are properly hemmed. Hems can become soiled quickly when pants are too long. Pants should fall between 1/8 to ¼ of an inch off the floor at the back of the heel. The front part of the hem should cover your entire upper foot. Women, when you pack for a trip, consider the heel heights you’ll need for your hem requirements.
Sign up for your dry cleaner’s mailing lists. Many cleaners reward regular customers with special coupons and offers. Some even honor competitors’ coupons. The cost savings provided by these programs is significant.