How to Take Care of Your Tuxedo

There is a good chance that your tuxedo is the most-expensive piece of clothing that you own. If that is the case, you obviously want to be careful to protect it as completely as possible as the years go by. The last thing you want to have to do is rush out to buy a new tuxedo because you have mistreated your current one. With some simple steps, however, you can learn how to take care of your tuxedo and you can continue to wear it for years to come.
Get the Right Hangers
One of the best things you can do when taking care of your tuxedo is simply to hang it up on a hanger that is designed for the job. The cheap hangers that you get from the department store when you purchase a shirt are not a good fit for this job, so don’t even try. Rather, you will want to use an actual jacket hanger that has been designed to protect the shape of your tuxedo jacket as it hangs. For your trousers, simply hang them from the waist using a pair of clips that are meant for the job.
Get the Right Bag
Much of the job when it comes to storing and caring for your tuxedo comes down to having the right equipment. In addition to the jacket hanger mentioned above, you also want to have a breathable suit bag on hand that you can put your tuxedo in when you aren’t going to be wearing it. Trapping moisture around your suit is trouble in terms of mold and other growth, so a breathable bag is always the way to go. With your tux in the right bag, it should be able to remain mold-free for many years to come.
Blotting is the Key
If you happen to spill something on your tuxedo, don’t panic – you should be able to avoid permanent damage as long as you act wisely. If you decide to try wiping off the food or drink, you could wind up forcing the spill down into the fabric, and it probably will never come out. Instead, use a blotting motion with a white towel or napkin to pick up as much of the spill as possible, and then leave it alone until you can have the tuxedo properly cleaned.
Clean, then Store
One of the most-common mistakes made by tuxedo owners is failing to have the tux cleaned before it is stored for an extended period of time. When you know you are going to be putting the tuxedo into the closet for a significant amount of time, you should always take it for a cleaning first. This will take care of any minor stains, spills, odors, and more that might have made their way into the tux. Once its clean, you can store it in the previously mentioned breathable bag with confidence.