This past summer I got to meet the FAB-u-lous Tim Gunn at BlogHer, so when I got the idea to do a story on how to take care of all those new fashions you got for Christmas, Tim was the fashion & fabric expert I wanted to interview.  Fortunately, the folks at Tide Total Care were able to pass my interview questions on to Tim and he was good enough to answer them!  Here’s what I asked, and how he answered!

JR: What do you think is the biggest mistake that women make in caring for their clothing?

TG: I spend a good deal of time in women’s closets, so I see myriad crimes against fashion.  Poor clothing maintenance is at the top of the list of offenses.   I see clothes crammed into closets with such force that removing a single item is like triggering a jack-in-the-box.  Imagine what that does to those items!  I always find knits on hangers, which merely serves to stretch them out of shape (expensive blocking is required to reshape them) — any item of apparel that has stretch needs to be folded and laid flat.  And all too frequently I find a profusion of stains.  WWHHHYYYY????

JR: What is the #1 thing you should do to ensure that your clothing has the longest life possible?

TG: Responsible cleaning is key to our clothing’s Fountain of Youth.  I find that people search for the perfect dry cleaner, but they seldom give the same degree thoughtful consideration to the detergent that they use to wash their clothes.  And I used to be one of those people.  I thought, “Aren’t most detergents about the same?”  In fact, this is precisely how I first perceived Tide Total Care:  I thought, “How great could it be?”  I had been a long time user of Tide, but why would Tide Total Care cause me to switch products within the brand?  I’ll tell you why:  science, irrefutable science.  I saw images from an electron microscope showing the impact that detergents have on our clothing.  Basically, washing or dry cleaning clothes launches a death march.  With each washing or cleaning the fibers that make up the garment lose their integrity:  erosion of shape, color saturation, and elasticity (with any textile containing stretch), plus pilling.  Tide Total Care suspends that process.

The scientists who created Tide Total Care state that the product is intended for higher-end fashion.  Indeed, that’s true, because many garments that we’re used to sending to a dry cleaner can be washed, effectively and responsibly, with the product.  But I found that Tide Total Care’s biggest impact on me has been socks and underwear.  My black socks stay elastic and color saturated forever, or so it seems; same with my t-shirts and unmentionables.  Using Tide Total Care will help your clothes stay newer looking, longer.

JR: Does a brand name clothing item automatically mean better fabric quality?  Or is cashmere cashmere no matter where you buy it?

TG: In my fashion world of men’s suiting, brand names frequently equate to expectations of quality.  However, a brand name alone does not ensure a higher grade of fabric quality.  Nor does price necessarily correspond to quality.  Consider J.Crew or Banana Republic, which I consider to be mid-level brands (and from which I own a lot of apparel):  the consumer receives a higher-end textile for less, because of the high volume of production (with volume come economies of scale).  That boutique item that is two or three times the price of the J.Crew shirt may have nothing superior about it.  It’s imperative to check the fabric label in the garment; therein resides the riddle to the Sphinx.

Regarding cashmere, while it is true that authentic cashmere wool comes from the Cashmere goat, not all cashmere is the same, owing to ply.  Most cashmere is graded one, two, or three-ply, with one being the lightest.  The higher the grade of ply is, the more expensive the textile will be, because more yarn is used.

JR: What are some fabrics that are a good investment for consumers to buy, and what are a couple that are a poor investment?

TG: When an item of apparel seduces you while shopping, first feel it; rub it between your fingers and scrunch it up in your hand.  Second, check the apparel label, which should give you the fabric content.  Wool, cotton, and silk are usually good investments, providing that the garment is well-made.  I’m also a fan of 4% Lycra content, because it provides a little stretch in the fabric.

Be aware that garments with embellishments – sequins, jewel-toned plastic stones, beads – are nearly impossible to wash or dreadfully expensive to dry clean.  Also, lower grade wool will pill by merely looking at it.

JR: What are some hallmarks of a well-made piece of clothing?

TG: When shopping, examine the garment’s construction.  Are there stray threads?  Is there a lining?  If a textile has a pattern, does it match at the seams?  And you must try it on!  If it’s the correct size, then it should fit you well (or at least moderately well – most of us benefit from the work of a good tailor).

JR: How do you recommend storing out-of-season clothes to ensure that they’ll be protected?

TG: First, clean your garments before storing them!  I know so many people who say, “I’ll wait to clean them when I’m ready to wear them, again.”  Wrong.  Those stains can set in.  Furthermore, there’s a myth about moths and wool:  it’s not the wool that attracts the moth; it’s the remnant of a food stain that allures them.

Canvas (never vinyl!) garment bags or boxes are the best storage method, because the canvas allows the garments inside to breathe.  I always toss in a few cedar blocks (about the size of a bar of soap), because they stave off war-faring moths and don’t have the medicinal odor of moth balls.  In addition, I lay several sheets of tissue paper between my sweaters.

Thank you, Tim for giving us your fabric care expertise!!

Tide sent me a bottle of Tide Total Care to try out on my favorite clothes, and I loved it as much as Tim does.   It got my clothes clean but wasn’t tough on the fabric the way some other detergents are.  I was very impressed!

Another fabric care product I’ve tried recently and have been really pleased with is Soak. Soak is an eco-friendly no-rinse solution for your delicates that need to be hand-washed.    They have lots of yummy scents, as well as scent-free offerings for those with sensitive skin.  It’s very easy to use and works great! You can check out Soak here.

What did you think of Tim’s fabric care tips?  What are your best fabric-care solutions?