Simple ways to avoid common clothing care mistakes

And why it’s worth taking a moment before you reach for the wash button :)

A few quiet habits can go a long way in helping your favourite clothes last. From missed labels to forgotten stains, this guide covers the most common garment care mistakes with tips from the team at Farthings Dry Cleaners in Cambridge and Trumpington.

It’s easy to assume that looking after clothes is straightforward. But over the years, we’ve found that many of the issues clients bring in , like discolouration, shrinkage, a stain that won’t lift, stem not from carelessness, but from tiny, well-meaning decisions made in a rush.

Perhaps you meant to treat that wine stain straight away, but the weekend got in the way. Or you thought your suit jacket would be fine in the back of the wardrobe until next winter. These aren’t “mistakes” in the harsh sense but they can quietly shorten the life of garments you really value.

At Farthings Dry Cleaners, with trusted teams in both Cambridge and Trumpington, we believe care is about attention, not perfection.

Here are a few ways to help your clothes last longer and avoid common missteps.

1- Start with the care label

That small tag stitched into your collar or side seam is there for a reason. But it’s not always as straightforward as it seems. “Dry clean only” might mean a gentle hand-wash could work in a pinch but it could also mean do not risk it if the fabric is treated, delicate or dyed.

Similarly, some synthetics or items with trims don’t respond well to dry cleaning, despite appearing hardy on the outside. If you’re unsure, we’re always happy to advise even before you bring something in. Our Cambridge and Trumpington teams are used to talking through garment care without fuss or pressure.

2- Treat stains sooner

We’ve all had the moment where a splash of something lands on a shirt mid-meal. The instinct is to scrub but that’s often the worst approach. Dab gently, avoid heat, and avoid setting the stain with water or DIY sprays.

If you're bringing something to Farthings, please tell us what it is. A little context helps us use the right method without risking the surrounding fabric. “This was red wine at a party,” or “It’s ink from a fountain pen."Both tell us far more than a mystery patch on a sleeve.

3- Don’t overlook small repairs

A loose thread. A button half-hanging. A thinning elbow. These might feel like future-you problems and during the cleaning process, they can often get worse. A gentle clean can still catch on a loose seam and buttons under pressure will break.

Letting our team in Trumpington or Cambridge know about small repairs in advance gives us the chance to fix things quietly before they become more serious. Many of our clients are surprised how simple and satisfying it is to sort small mends early.

4- Give your clothes breathing room

It’s tempting to fill the wardrobe rail to the brim (especially when space is tight). But tightly packed garments don’t just wrinkle; they can trap moisture, transfer dyes and wear against each other at the shoulders and cuffs.

We always recommend storing your freshly cleaned pieces with enough space to hang freely. And if you’re storing seasonal items, breathable garment bags (not plastic) make all the difference. If in doubt, feel free to pop into Farthings Dry Cleaners and ask. We’ll always point you in the right direction.

5- Be cautious with at-home dry-cleaning kits

There’s a time and place for home kits (especially for casual pieces). But when it comes to items that carry shape, history, or value, a bit of caution is wise. One misplaced chemical, or too much heat, can flatten the structure or cause fading that’s hard to reverse.

Our advice? Use home kits sparingly, and avoid them on anything you’d be sad to lose.

6- Clean before you store

This one’s easy to miss: if you’re putting something away for a season, make sure it’s clean before it goes. Even the faintest trace of body oil, food, or perfume can attract moths or cause oxidising stains to develop over time.

We often see jackets or dresses come out of storage looking worse than they went in, simply because they were put away “just worn once”. A thorough pre-cleaning protects far more than appearances. It really preserves the fabric's life.

If you are not sure what to do before packing things away, just ask. :)

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📍 Farthings Dry Cleaners Cambridge

143 Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 1XE

📞 Call us: 01223 755180

🕒 Opening Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30am–4pm | Sat 8:30am–3pm

🗺️ Get directions to our Cambridge Branch

📍 Farthings Dry Cleaners Trumpington

 1 Anstey Way, Trumpington, Cambridge, CB2 9JE

📞 Call us: 01223 625310

🕒 Opening Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30am–4pm | Sat 8:30am–3pm

🗺️ Get directions to our Trumpington Branch

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✨ Who is Farthings Dry Cleaners? Farthings Dry Cleaners is known as Cambridge and Trumpington's most sought-after dry cleaners. It's the ideal home for your high-end garments preservation and alteration to be cared for, helping them last as long as possible and always making you look stunning. Trust Farthings — where your garments are cared for like couture.