Wardrobe care
We create timeless wardrobes designed to last. With the right care, your garments will look exceptional for years. Here’s what we've learnt about caring for fine tailoring, shirts, knits, and shoes.
Tailoring
Hanging
Your suit or jacket comes with a shaped hanger and protective suit bag. Use the bag for transport only—store your garments openly. The shoulder of your jacket should sit forward so the coat hangs straight. Always hang your trousers over the hanger, folded along the crease lines. Give your suit room in the wardrobe—good cloth needs to breathe.
Wooden or padded hangers with broad shoulders help maintain the jacket's shape. Wire hangers can distort the shoulder line over time, so avoid them. When hanging trousers, align the inside leg seams precisely—this maintains the crease and prevents unwanted wrinkles.
Fisher & Paykel Fabric Care Cabinet
For those seeking the ultimate in garment care at home, we recommend the Fisher & Paykel Fabric Care Cabinet. This innovative system gently refreshes your tailoring between wears using steam and air to remove odours and relax wrinkles, reducing the reliance on traditional dry-cleaning methods. It's an investment in extending the life of your wardrobe.
Brushing
Regular brushing with a stiff brush keeps your suits looking fresh. Always brush in long, sweeping movements with the grain of the fabric—never circular or scrubbing motions. This simple habit significantly extends your garment's life.
Brush after each wear, paying particular attention to the lapels, collar, and shoulders where dust and particles accumulate. A horsehair brush works best—the natural bristles are gentle on fine cloth while effectively removing surface dirt. This preventative care reduces the need for frequent dry-cleaning.
Pressing
For wrinkled suits, here's an easy approach: hang your suit in the bathroom while running a hot shower. The steam relaxes the fibres, and good cloth has memory—moisture, heat, and gravity bring it back to shape.
For trouser legs, lay a clean, damp tea towel over them and give a gentle press with your iron on a low to medium setting. Never press directly onto the fabric without a protective cloth between the iron and your garment—this can create shine and damage the fibres.
For professional pressing or to restore trouser creases, bring your suit to us and we'll handle it in our workroom.
Rotation
Allow your suits to rest between wears. Ideally, wait at least 24 hours before wearing the same suit again. This gives the wool fibres time to recover their natural shape and allows any moisture to evaporate completely. Having multiple suits in rotation significantly extends the life of each piece.
Dry-cleaning
Choose your dry-cleaner with care—quality makes all the difference. We use Regal Dry-Cleaners in Auckland, Mall Dry-Cleaners in Wellington, and Eastern Drycleaners in Christchurch. Ask our staff for recommendations—we partner with those who meet our standards.
Dry-cleaning effectively lifts stains, but it's intensive on fabric. The chemicals and process can gradually break down natural fibres. Best practice: only dry-clean when your suit is actually soiled. For that fresh-pressed look, request pressing separately without the full cleaning treatment. Always specify hand pressing for best results.
We offer this service in our workroom—drop your items in and we'll take care of them. If you do use an external dry-cleaner, remove your garments from the plastic bags as soon as you collect them. Store them openly to prevent moisture build-up.
Stains & repairs
Small stains usually come out easily with a baby wipe or cold water. Blot, don't rub—rubbing can push the stain deeper into the fibres and spread it. For tougher stains, we recommend Dr. Beckmann's range of stain removal products. Each product is formulated for specific stain types, from wine to grease.
Unsure about the best approach? Our team can advise you. Act quickly with fresh stains—the longer they sit, the harder they become to remove.
If your garments need repair, darning, a button replacement, or are looking worse for wear, bring them to us. We'll assess them and in most cases restore them to excellent condition. From reweaving small tears to replacing worn linings, our workroom handles complex reconstruction work that can give your favourite pieces years of additional wear.
Storage
For seasonal storage, ensure garments are clean before putting them away. Moths are attracted to soiled clothing, particularly items with food stains or body oils. Store in a cool, dry place with good air circulation. Cedar blocks or lavender sachets provide natural moth deterrence, though they're no substitute for proper cleaning and regular inspection.
Never store suits in airtight plastic bags for extended periods—natural fibres need to breathe. Our cotton garment bags allow air circulation while protecting from dust and light.
When in doubt
If in doubt, bring it to us—we’re happy to help with any garment, not just Crane Brothers pieces. Whether it’s valet services, dry-cleaning, repairs, or alterations, our team can assess your garment and recommend the best approach. Our workroom is fully appointed and able to manage all requests. We can arrange collection anywhere in the country.
Not sure if something can be fixed or whether it needs attention? Email us an image of your concerns at info@crane-brothers.com and we'll advise you on the best course of action. From minor stains to complex repairs, from tailoring adjustments to complete reconstructions, weʻve seen it all and we're here to help keep your entire wardrobe in exceptional condition.
