If you have a custom suit that is tailored to fit you, it's a big investment. You want to keep it looking new and sharp for as long as possible. Just tossing your suit in the washing machine with the rest of your clothes will wear it out fast, but there are other ways to clean it that aren't so hard on the fabric.

How to Care for Your Custom Suit

1. Spot Treat

This method means you won't clean the whole suit at all, just address any dirt, stains, or spills as they arise. To do this, get a washcloth slightly damp and use it to gently brush or blot the dirt. This won't work for stains that have soaked into the fabric, but if they're sitting on the surface, this method will get them off while causing the minimum amount of wear.

2. Machine Wash

You can put a custom suit in the washing machine, but you need to be careful how you do it. First, turn the suit inside out and wrap each piece (jacket and trousers) in separate washable garment bags. Put them in the machine by themselves—no other clothing for them to rub against or tangle with. Use the delicate cycle, and don't dry the suit in a dryer; instead, hang it up to dry wrinkle-free. Later, if you want to get wrinkles out, hang it up in the bathroom with the shower on to steam it.

3. Dry Clean

If your suit is heavily soiled, made of especially high-quality or delicate materials, or you simply want it to last as long as possible, take it in for dry cleaning. This method involves chemical cleaning techniques that don't use water. They can get out stains that your washing machine can't, and also often provide mending services as needed.

If you want a custom suit on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, choose Wo’s Custom Tailoring. They offer a wide range of clothing alteration services, and specialize in men's suit alterations and tailoring, as well as wedding gowns. They've been serving New York City residents for over 40 years. To schedule an appointment, call (212) 988-9889 or learn more about their services online.