Can you put a beaded blouse in the wash? Rajo Laurel shares tips on caring for your clothes

Rajo Laurel talks about how to take better care of your clothes in the wash. Photo: Jannielyn Ann Bigtas

Fashion designer Rajo Laurel on Thursday shared a few must-knows when it comes to properly washing different kinds of clothing to maintain their quality.

At an event in Makati City on Thursday, Laurel was joined by designer and SoFA Design Institute executive director Amina Aranaz Alunan and Mommy Mundo founder Janice Villanueva to talk about laundry woes.

Since the event was a launch by appliance manufacturer Electrolux featuring their UltimateCare line of washing machines and dryers designed to help women care for their clothes, the trio talked about the difficulty of washing delicate or embellished items by machine.

Villanueva said she thinks twice before putting delicate items like formal wear, knits, and underwear in a washing machine.

“I’m always afraid to put it in the wash because it can damage the fabric and it will fade or get deformed,” she said.

Alunan also said that she normally wouldn't launder her silk tops, knitted sweaters and beaded items in a washing machine.

This is where Laurel, who has been in the fashion industry for 25 years, came in with some important tips when washing fragile items by machine.

1. Put beaded clothing inside an old stocking

To avoid pulling on beads and other intricate details on clothing, put the item inside an old stocking and tie both ends before you put it inside the washing machine. This trick will protect both the beading and the stitching.

"A pillow case would [also] work, but stocking is more ma-pino," he added.

2. Wash clothes you just bought

If you're thinking of wearing the top you just bought in a big retail shop straight out of the shopping bag, don't.

Laurel said companies put chemicals on clothing to avoid pests in storage; he urged shoppers to wash the items first before putting them on.

3. Always read the care label

No matter how much you think you're an expert when it comes to your "labada," it wouldn't hurt to read the care label of your clothing to avoid making mistakes when washing or ironing it.

Every clothing item is different, Laurel reminded the audience.

4. Use candle wax to remove yellow stains on white clothes

Unwanted yellow stains on white clothing is a common dilemma for most fashionistas. Laurel's fashion hack for this problem is to rub candle wax on your garment, especially on spots prone to getting those stains, including the collar area.

"If you want to avoid coloring, for clothes, you have to get a piece of white candle wax and you rub it around the collar," he said.

Sunlight and humidity are a white polo shirt's enemy, but candle wax could be your best friend as it will protect your clothing from both, the designer said.

"What happens is kalaban ng tela, sunlight and humidity—light and water. The wax protects it from humidity and from light," he said.

5. Turn formal outfits inside-out before washing

If you're too scared to put your formal wear inside the washing machine, Laurel suggested one way to ease your apprehension: turning them inside out.

This will minimize discoloration and reduce damage to buttons and zippers, he said. — BM, GMA News