1. Wool & Tweed

Wool is a natural product and has a great property: it is self-cleaning due to the lanolin (wool fat). A wool jacket or a heavy winter coat should never be put in a washing machine.

• The Night Mist: Does your jacket smell like a night out? Hang it outside under a canopy overnight or in a damp bathroom after a shower. The water vapor removes odors and wrinkles without affecting the fiber.
• Pilling (Fluff): Vintage wool can 'pill' in places where friction occurs. Use a special wool comb or a lint remover. Never pull them off by hand, otherwise you will damage the fiber.
• The Clothes Brush: Brush your jacket after each wear with a soft brush with real hair. This removes dust before it settles in the fiber.

2. Leather & Lammycoat

Leather jackets and lammy coats (sheepskin) are investments for life. Leather is a skin and can dry out.

• Feeding: Treat leather once or twice a year with a colorless leather grease or balm. It keeps the jacket supple and prevents cracking.
• The Dangerous Stove: Has your coat been rained on? Hang it on a wide hanger at room temperature. Never hang it over the radiator; then the leather dries out and becomes irreparably cracked.
• Lammy coat tip: You can carefully brush the inside of a lammy coat (the wool) with a soft brush if it has become flat.

3. Suede & Nubuck

Suede is beautiful, but it is an 'open' material that absorbs stains like a sponge.

• Prevention: Spray your suede item immediately after purchase with a good dirt- and water-repellent spray. Repeat this every three months.
• The Eraser Trick: Do you have a spot? Use a suede eraser or a dry crust of white bread to gently "erase" the stain.
• Steam: If suede looks a bit 'tired', hold it briefly over the steam of a kettle and then brush it with a suede brush.

4. Vintage Shirts

Those legendary 70's shirts are often made of synthetic fabrics (nylon/polyester) or silk. Heat is their biggest enemy.

• Easy trick: Wash these shirts at a maximum of 30 degrees. Synthetic fabrics can 'melt' or lose their shine in hot wax.
• Silk: Always wash silk shirts by hand in lukewarm water with a drop of baby shampoo. Never wring it out!
• Ironing: Set your iron to the lowest setting. With silk, always use a cloth between the bolt and the fabric to prevent scorch marks.

5. Denim & Jeans

Real vintage denim (without stretch) is indestructible, provided you treat it properly.

• Less is more: Wash your denim jacket or jeans as little as possible. It affects the color (indigo) and shape.
• The Freezer: Do your jeans smell a bit musty? Place it in a sealed bag in the freezer overnight. The bacteria (and odors) die, but the color is retained.
• Inside Out: If you do wash: always inside out and at a maximum of 30 degrees.

6. Wax jackets

• Cleaning: Use only a sponge and cold water to remove mud.
• Re-waxing: As soon as the jacket becomes lighter in color or feels dry, it is time for a new layer of wax (rewaxing). You can do this yourself with a can of wax and a hair dryer.

7. Cotton & Trench Coats

• Water-repellent: After being washed, a trench coat often loses its water-repellent power. Use an impregnating spray to get the 'pearl' back.
• The collar: Spots on the neck (skin fat)? Treat these before washing with a little mild green soap and a soft toothbrush.

8. Accessories

• Hats: Never store a felt hat on its brim, but on the 'ball' or on a coat rack. This way the shape is retained.
• Ties: Untie your tie immediately after wearing it. Roll it up loosely to get rid of wrinkles.
• Leather Belts: If a belt becomes stiff, rub it with a little olive oil or leather grease.

9. The Golden Rules of the Mancave

• Wooden Hangers: Throw away those thin iron hangers. Use wide wooden hangers for your jackets to keep the shoulder pads in shape.
• The Breathing Space: Don't overcrowd your closet. Clothing needs air to avoid smelling musty.
• The Moth War: Vintage wool is a delicacy for moths. Use cedarwood or lavender sachets. Have you discovered any cavities? Immediately place the garment in the freezer for 48 hours.
• The "Vintage Fragrance": Does something smell very musty? A container of vinegar or coffee beans at the bottom of the cupboard can do wonders for absorbing odors.