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Hanging dress shirts in the closet

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jwa_jwa_jwa

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I saw another member post pictures of dress shirts in his closet and could not help but notice they were all completely uncovered.

Up until a few months ago, I thought nothing about hanging my dress shirts without the dry cleaning plastic on them.

When I looked at some shirts I hadn't worn for years, I noticed a layer of thin dust over the shoulders. Then I decided to start leaving my shirts in the dry cleaning plastic until I wore them.

Is this common practice among forum members? is there a better way?
 
#3 ·
I've tried to convince my wife to stick a plastic cover over my shirts when she takes them out of the washing machine, but she told me where to shove it. Can't get the staff...

In answer to your question though. I would be concerned that, if you must cover them, then it should be in a 'breathable' cover. I wouldn't keep my suits in the plastic, so I don't suppose the shirts should be any different. If you google 'breathable suit bags', I'm sure you'd find loads for virtually no money. Might make it difficult to see which shirt you were picking out though.

I suppose in addition to the above, my experience is that dry-cleaners tend to use cheap thin hangers, which I would also be reluctant to leave in my shirt for a protracted period.
 
#6 ·
jwa_jwa_jwa said:
I noticed the dust on shirts I didn't care for and hadn't worn for years.

Quite frankly, I didn't want any of my fine shirts gathering dust.
Click to expand...
Not to change the subject, but why don't you donate those unworn shirts to a local charity or something? I mean if you haven't worn them in a few years... are you likely to wear them anytime soon?

I find it therapeutic to periodically thin out shirts, ties and even suits.

YMMV,

Wisco
 
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#7 ·
In the case of regularly worn shirts, I doubt there is an issue. Hang them and wear them as normal. For the others, I could see tuxedo shirts (as an example) being stored for longer periods of time without use. In that case, if the spouse will not put a plastic bag over the shirt, and the manservant has his particular dislike for that job, either find a new wife, hire a new manservant, or get a plastic bag yourself and put in over your shirts.

As for a breathable garment bag for a dress shirt, that may just be a bit overboard. However, as the dust tends to collect on the shoulders and collar, perhaps an oversized t-shirt could be placed over the dress shirt?

Finally, for the shirts you do not like and do not wear (nor intend to wear), replace them with shirts you will wear. No sense in taking up valuable closet space. I do like the idea of donating those shirts to charity.
 
#9 ·
Wisco said:
Not to change the subject, but why don't you donate those unworn shirts to a local charity or something? I mean if you haven't worn them in a few years... are you likely to wear them anytime soon?

I find it therapeutic to periodically thin out shirts, ties and even suits.

YMMV,

Wisco
Click to expand...
That is my method too. The rout begins Labor Day weekend.
 
#10 · (Edited)
No textile should be stored long term in any type of plastic unless that plastic is chemically inert.

The type of plastic used by dry cleaners for temporary protection of your garments against dust and other soil is not chemically inert. Dry cleaner's plastic has a chemically unstable molecular structure that will break down over time and off gas acids. Those acids cause garments to become yellow and brittle.

Assuming you want to keep those shirts, the best solution is to acquire storage bags or shoulder dust covers that are safe for long term storage. Typically, they'll be made of white, breathable, non-woven fibers. You'll notice that these bags and dust covers have minute holes that permit the garment to breath and, at the same time, protect against dust and soil. Many high-end independent men's stores currently use these types of bags to package any suit you might buy. But avoid bags of this type that are colored (water or excessive humidity can run the dyes on these bags and stain your garments).

Avoid nylon or vinyl bags at all costs (they don't breath). And, avoid canvas bags (they're typically starched quite heavily with corn starch and that corn starch attracts the adult female moth looking for a source of nutrition for their larvae when they hatch).

Stu

Website:https://ravefabricare.com/
Daily blog:truequalitycleaning.com/
 
#12 ·
The solution is really quite simple.

You see, something like 90% of household dust comes from humans. Therefore, to minimize dust settling on clothes in your closet, simply build another house next door for you to live in, that way, there will be far less dust being generated in the house where you store your clothes.

(Household dust is mostly dead skin cells, and the rest is mostly waste from house dust mites, which eat the dead skin cells.)
 
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#14 ·
I hang tuxedo shirts on the same hanger as the tuxedo, under the jacket. The tie and cummerbund go there as well. Saves a lot of time looking for the things. Only the jacket need be brushed before wearing.
 
#17 ·
Suggestions (some of which have been offered before):

1. Donate those shirts that aren't getting worn at least once a year. (That's a pretty low bar.)
2. Get an armoire/wardrobe that will let you hang your shirts in a small space. I keep most of my shirts in a wardrobe, and dust never seems to appear on them.
3. Failing #2, keep the door to your closet closed. If there's a HVAC vent in the closet, put a filter under/over it.
4. A quick brushing ought to knock any dust off the shoulders or collar of a shirt... dust is dry particulate matter, after all.
 
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jwa_jwa_jwa
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