You just got some nice new pants for your job, and you want them to look great for a long time. Caring for your work pants the right way will help them last longer. Many people just wash, dry, iron and fold their pants – but there’s more to it if you want them in perfect shape!
If you take good care of your office pants, they’ll match well with your blazers, shirts and shoes for years to come. The easiest way to take care of your corporate pants is to look for “laundry pickup service near me”. If you want to get some guidance, follow these tips to keep your work pants looking brand new.
Washing Your Pants
1. Using a Washing Machine
Always check the tag first for washing instructions, so you don’t damage the pants. A washing machine works well for wool, polyester and regular cotton pants. But silk, delicate cottons and some wools need to be hand-washed.
Test for Colorfastness
Before washing, do a quick test to see if the color bleeds or runs. Sprinkle a little water on a hidden part of the pants, like the hem or inner seam. Dab some detergent on the wet spot too. If the color runs or fades, take the pants to the laundry service provider instead.
Turn Pants Inside Out
To protect the pants, turn them inside out first and put in a mesh laundry bag. This prevents buttons from falling off and keeps the color from fading as much.
Wash in Cold Water on Gentle Cycle
Put the mesh bag of pants in the washing machine and add a small amount of mild detergent to cold water. Run the gentle wash cycle. When finished, take the pants out right away.
2. Washing by Hand
Fill a sink or tub with cold water and add a little mild detergent until bubbly. Submerge the pants fully underwater and gently scrub any stained or dirty areas.
Drain out the soapy water and refill the tub with clean, cold water. Swish the pants around to rinse out all the soap.
Drying Your Pants
1. Using the Dryer
If you have a clothes dryer, great! Use the spin cycle first to remove excess moisture from the pants. Put a dry towel in with the pants to help absorb more water.
Set the dryer to the proper heat setting – not too hot. Check periodically and put the pants back in for a few extra minutes if they aren’t fully dry yet.
2. Air Drying
No dryer? No problem! Roll up the wet pants in a dry towel and gently squeeze out as much water as possible. Then, hang the pants up on a clothesline or drying rack outside to air dry.
3. Use a Hair Dryer
Do the pants still feel a bit damp in some areas when you think they’re dry? Get out your hair dryer and gently blow dry those spots to ensure the pants are completely dry before ironing.
Ironing Instructions
Check If Ironable
Look at the care tag to see if the pants can be safely ironed and what heat setting to use. Generally, pants made of nylon, polyester, cotton, wool, linen or denim can be pressed with an iron.
Use an Ironing Board
Set up your ironing board so you have a nice flat surface to press the pants on and remove any wrinkles or creases.
Use Steam If Possible
If your iron has a little water reservoir, fill it up. The burst of steam as you iron helps relax fibers and smooth out wrinkles really well.
Iron the Pockets First
Professional cleaners always recommend ironing the pockets first, so start there. Gently press the front and back pockets flat.
Iron Carefully
Lay the pants out fully on the board. You can start ironing the waistband area first or work from the legs up – whatever is easiest. Keep the iron heat at the recommended setting to avoid scorching the fabric.
Storing Your Pants
Let Pants Cool Before Storing
Once your pants are crisply ironed, let them sit for a few minutes until completely cool before folding or hanging. This prevents new wrinkles from setting in.
Hang or Fold Neatly
Use a rubber-coated pants hanger to keep your pants wrinkle-free in the closet. Carefully clip the waistband onto the hanger.
Or, you can neatly fold the pants by bringing the hem up to meet the waistband and folding in half. Folding helps save space in your closet or drawers too.
Get Professional Help
Does this sound like too much work? Don’t worry – you can always search for “laundry pickup service near me” online! Their experts will carefully clean, press and package up your pants looking freshly renewed.
Taking good care of your nice work pants takes some time and effort. But it’s worth it to keep them looking sharp and make them last. With these simple steps, your pants will stay in great shape for years to come.