Guide · Laundry and clothes washing ·
How to Wash a Suit
Suits are mostly made of wool or wool-blend cloth; when washed in water, the jacket's lining and the interfacing that gives it shape can shrink or bubble and spoil the way the jacket sits. That is why most suits need dry cleaning. Polyester and blended suits with a wash symbol on the label, however, can be washed at home on a delicate programme. This guide explains how to wash a suit, whether it can be machine washed and how to clean it at home between dry cleanings. For single jackets, see the guide how to wash a jacket.
Before you start
- Read the label: check the wash, dry-clean and ironing symbols on the labels of the jacket and trousers (what temperature to wash clothes).
- Clean the pieces together: always clean, or have cleaned, the jacket and trousers together; pieces cleaned separately can end up different in colour.
- Empty the pockets: empty the pockets and check the buttons and seams.
- Note the stains: when taking the suit to the dry cleaner, say where the stain is and what it is.
Can a suit be machine washed?
Wool, wool-blend, lined and interfaced suits are not machine washed; we have no product recommendation for these suits and they should be dry cleaned according to the label. Polyester and blended suits with a machine-wash symbol on the label, however, can be machine washed. Do not wash at home suits that have no label or carry only a dry-clean symbol.
How to wash a washable suit: step by step
- Turn the jacket and trousers inside out, do up the buttons and put them in separate laundry bags.
- Choose the delicate programme and the low temperature stated on the label, and keep the spin speed low.
- Use detergent for coloureds at the label dose.
- When the wash finishes, take the suit out without delay, shake it gently and dry it in the shade on a broad-shouldered hanger.
- Put it in the tumble dryer only if the label allows.
How to clean a suit at home?
Between two dry cleanings, it is possible to keep a suit tidy at home. After wearing it, hang the suit on a broad-shouldered hanger to air and remove dust with a soft clothes brush in the direction of the fabric. Blot fresh stains straight away with a clean, slightly damp cloth; do not rub. Smooth out creases with steam or a steam iron, without touching the fabric. Do not use stain removers or detergent on wool suits; leave the stain to the dry cleaner.
Collars and stains
- On washable suits, pre-treat collar and cuff dirt before washing with TETİK Kar Aspirin, whose label lists use on clothing.
- For old collar stains: how to remove collar stains.
- Test the stain remover first on an inside seam allowance and use it according to its label.
- We have no product for stains on wool suits; show the stain to the dry cleaner.
Ironing and storage
- If the label allows, iron the suit on the reverse side or with a pressing cloth in between; ironing directly can make dark fabric shiny.
- Iron the trouser crease through a pressing cloth, lining the crease up.
- Store the suit on a broad-shouldered hanger, in a breathable garment bag and without squashing it.
- For shirts: how to wash shirts.
- For ties: how to wash a tie.
- For pleated and fabric skirts: how to wash a pleated skirt.
- For blouses: how to wash a blouse.
- For smart and white trousers: how to wash trousers.
What not to do
- Machine washing wool, lined and interfaced suits.
- Having the jacket and trousers cleaned separately.
- Washing the suit in hot water and wringing it out.
- Ironing a dark suit directly without a pressing cloth.
- Drying a wet suit on a narrow hanger.
For hotels, restaurants and laundries
Suit and waistcoat uniforms worn by hotel reception and restaurant service staff are cleaned often; washing washable polyester uniforms on a delicate programme according to the label, setting wool suits aside for dry cleaning and tracking the pieces as sets keeps the routine orderly. For a product list, see Laundry supplies and chemicals. TETİK detergent for coloureds is produced in 4 kg and TETİK Kar Aspirin in 750 g, 5 kg and 30 kg packs; for bulk purchases you can request a quote.
