By Meher Castelino

When the rains come there is a problem about how your clothes look. They tend to get limp and don’t dry fast since the air is very moist and humid. Here are some tips on how to keep clothes looking fresh even if you are wilting in the rain.

KNITS - Cotton knit garments are very comfortable to wear in this country but don't look the same after the first wash. Hand or machine washed, squeeze out the water very carefully without wringing and hang them on a clothesline. A hanger will leave bulging marks at the shoulders knits, either stretch or shrink after a wash so make sure you get them back into shape before they dry. Storage for knits is normally by folding them.

RAINWEAR - Means normally plastic or water proof raincoats which need to be stored after the heavy monsoon if they are still in one piece. Dry the rainwear thoroughly then fold it by smoothening out the garment as you fold it sprinkle a little talcum powder in between the folds so that it doesn't stick and is unusable the following year. Make sure that powder is sprinkle after each fold. Finally pack it in a plastic bag, which is sprinkled with powder and store it away.

UNDERWEAR - Depending on where you buy your underwear and the label, you will have to care for it. Cotton underwear has to be washed everyday and folded neatly or it will lose its shape. Lacy undergarments in blends must also be washed everyday or they will start discolouring. White lingerie very often never remains snow white after use; in that case you could change the colour to beige or flesh by dipping the undergarments in tea water. It gives a good flesh coloured tone. Underwear can be stored in cotton lingerie bags and hung inside the cupboard.

SHIRTS - Men's shirts are normally stored folded or hung depending on the amount of space one has in the wardrobe. But it is the collar that gets dirtier than the rest of the shirt so it has to be washed well. Frayed collars and cuffs are the cause of too much scrubbing with a brush so try the machine.

SUITS - Men's suits have to be hung preferably with a cover. Air them out occasionally if it is a tuxedo or a formal suit. 

LEATHER FOOTWEAR GARMENTS AND HANDBAGS - All accessories and footwear whether in leather or synthetic material need to be stored with tiny anti fungus/mildew sachets in them. If they get wet immediately dry them so that it doesn't harm the material. Bags and shoes, which are not used regularly should be dusted and wiped periodically. Leather shoes need to be polished and bags can be wiped with a dash of oil to bring back the shine. In the case of garments keep them separately from other garments and covered with a case. During the monsoons check the garments periodically for mildew.

FRESHNERS - Air fresheners are very important for clothes and shoe cupboards. Hang one in each of them. Also keep a pot pourri sachet in the lingerie bag to add fragrance. Don't spray perfume in the cupboards. Instead keep a cotton ball with perfume sprayed on it in one corner of the cupboard where there are no zari saris.