Black tie galas, white tablecloth dinners and late-night cocktail parties all merit bringing out the tried and true high-end suit. Sure to wow, and tailored perfectly to your body, there’s no question you have one in mind. But just like your favorite college t-shirt, or your sneakers that maybe should’ve been tossed a bit sooner, your favorite suit will eventually succumb to the test of time. That is, if you aren’t caring for it properly.
The care of the suit comes down to two things: how you clean it and how frequently you clean it.
As a certified professional dry cleaner, Davis Imperial Cleaners understands that exceptional garments require exceptional care. Not only do we recognize designer and couture garments, but we also have the fabric care knowledge to protect your investment. Davis Imperial has been a long-standing trusted authority in luxury suit care for residents of Chicago.
So, How Often Should You Dry Clean a Suit?
The general rule is that you should dry clean your suit every 3-6 wears. But this golden number is affected by a few factors that influence the frequency of your cleans.
Do You Wear This Suit Daily or Just for Special Occasions?
Daily: A daily-wear suite should be washed 3-5 times a week. With consistent usage, your suit may get a bit dirtier between washes, but not washing after every wear ensures that the fibers stay in good condition. The goal is to keep the fabric fresh while avoiding unnecessary chemical exposure that can degrade the fibers over time.
Special Occasions: You only need to dry clean after every 1–2 wears, especially if it was worn for several hours or exposed to food, drinks, or smoke. Generally, special occasions expose the suit to potential staining agents or odors that can damage the suit.
What is Your Suit Made Of?
Wool:
Wool is breathable and naturally resistant to wrinkles and odor, so you can go up to 5–6 wears between cleanings. Brushing and steaming in between helps extend its life.
Linen:
Linen wrinkles easily and absorbs sweat/oils quickly, so plan to dry clean every 1–2 wears, especially in warm weather. Light colored linen may show stains easily, so take special care to spot and treat stains as they happen.
Delicate blends or structured designer suits:
These often have specialty linings, embellishments, or trims that call for professional inspection after each wear. Even if you don’t clean it every time, bring it in to a professional like Davis Imperial for expert evaluation and spot cleaning.
How and Where are You Wearing Your Suit?
This question can be answered by a bit of common sense. Are you wearing your suit with no undershirt at a lively wedding in the heat of Chicago’s summer? Are you sitting at an air-conditioned desk with minimal activity? Are you enjoying a night out smoking cigars and drinking whisky? Considering what your suit is exposed to throughout the wear can be helpful in determining the dry cleaning frequency needed.
Pro tip: Over-cleaning can cause fabric fatigue, but waiting too long allows stains and oils to settle permanently
Trust the Experts: Chicago Suit Cleaning Experts
With the basics down, we trust that you will know when to bring it in, and we will handle the rest. Davis Imperial’s dedicated and expert team will handle your suit cleaning to ensure that it is suited for you for years to come. Our careful inspection and care planning exceed the processes of regular dry cleaners in Chicago. Trusting Davis Imperial is investing in the future of your garments. Contact us today for an evaluation.