The BLU Standard
Caring for Your Investment
These are the guidelines we live by at BLU.
The Fundamentals
General Care Principles
The habits you build around your garments determine how long they serve you. These principles apply to every piece in your wardrobe.
Rest Between Wears
Never wear the same garment two days in a row. Wool and premium fabrics need 24–48 hours to breathe, recover their shape, and release moisture from body heat. Rotation is the single most impactful thing you can do for longevity.
Steam, Don't Iron
Direct iron contact can crush the fibers of fine wool and damage canvas interlinings. A handheld garment steamer refreshes your suit, removes light wrinkles, and kills odor-causing bacteria — without the risk of shine or scorch marks.
Dry Cleaning
Less Is More
Dry cleaning uses chemical solvents that, over time, break down the natural oils in fine wool and weaken fabric structure. It is a necessary tool — but one to use sparingly.
For suits and sport coats: Dry clean no more than once or twice per season, or only when a true stain cannot be addressed otherwise. Between cleanings, steaming and brushing will handle the vast majority of freshening needs.
Always clean as a set: If your suit jacket is being cleaned, bring the trousers as well — even if they don't need it. Cleaning both pieces together ensures color and texture remain consistent over time.
Choose a quality cleaner: Not all dry cleaners treat fine garments the same way. Seek out a cleaner experienced with tailored clothing and luxury fabrics. Tell them the fabric content if you know it.
Spot treat first: Minor stains — food, dust, minor spills — can often be addressed with a damp cloth and gentle dabbing. Always blot, never rub. For fresh stains, act quickly before they set.
Do
- —Bring jacket and trousers together
- —Tell your cleaner the fabric content
- —Air garments after pickup before storing
- —Remove plastic dry-cleaning bags immediately
- —Use a reputable cleaner with tailoring experience
Don't
- —Over-dry-clean — it degrades fabric over time
- —Store in plastic bags from the cleaner
- —Use harsh stain removers on fine wool
- —Iron directly on suit fabric without a press cloth
- —Clean only the jacket without the trousers
Suits & Sport Coats
Built to Last — If You Let Them
Hang on Proper Hangers
Invest in wide, contoured wooden suit hangers that mirror the shoulder structure of your jacket. Wire hangers distort the shoulder and chest over time. Allow at least 2–3 inches of space between hanging garments so fabric can breathe and retain its shape.
Unbutton Before Hanging
Always unbutton your jacket before hanging it. Leaving it buttoned while hanging puts constant tension on the front closure and distorts the chest canvas. The same applies to any closures on sport coats.
Empty Your Pockets
Keys, phones, wallets — even small items left in pockets over time will stretch the pocket bag and pull on the surrounding fabric. Make emptying your pockets a habit every time you remove a garment.
Use Garment Bags for Travel
When traveling, use a breathable garment bag — never a plastic one. Fold suits by turning the jacket inside out, folding one shoulder into the other, and laying flat in a carry-on when possible. Hang immediately upon arrival and steam out any creases.
Store Seasonally with Cedar
For long-term storage, use breathable garment bags and place cedar blocks or sachets nearby to deter moths and absorb moisture. Avoid mothballs — the chemical odor permeates fine fabric and is extremely difficult to remove.
Custom Shirts
The Details That Define You
Custom shirts demand a different kind of care than off-the-rack — the fabric is finer, the construction more precise, and the fit too important to compromise with careless laundering.
Washing
Machine wash on a delicate or gentle cycle in cold water. Use a mild detergent — never bleach on colored or patterned fabrics. For white cotton dress shirts, a small amount of oxygen-based whitener is acceptable. Turn shirts inside out before washing to protect buttons and reduce surface friction.
Drying
Air dry whenever possible. High dryer heat shrinks fine cotton, weakens collar interlining, and fades color over time. If using a dryer, tumble on low heat and remove while still slightly damp. Hang immediately to prevent deep-set creases.
Ironing
Iron shirts while still slightly damp for the best result. Start with the collar — both the underside and the outside — then move to the cuffs, sleeves, and body. Use a medium heat setting appropriate for cotton. A light spray of starch on the collar and cuffs adds crispness and helps resist soiling.
Collar & Cuff Care
The collar and cuffs are the first areas to show wear. Pre-treat these areas before washing with a gentle collar stain remover or a small amount of liquid detergent applied directly. After wearing, unbutton the collar and roll back the cuffs to allow full airing before laundering.
Storing Shirts
Hang dress shirts on proper hangers — never folded in a drawer, which causes crease lines in the collar and body. Leave the top button closed to maintain collar shape. Space hangers so shirts can breathe. For travel, roll shirts loosely rather than folding to minimize creasing.
Frequency of Washing
Dress shirts worn directly against the skin should be washed after each wear. However, if you've worn a shirt for only a few hours in a controlled environment, airing it out thoroughly overnight may extend its life between washes. Never re-wear a shirt with visible soiling at the collar or cuffs.
Quick Reference
Suits & Sport Coats
- —Dry clean 1–2× per season max
- —Steam between cleanings
- —Wide wooden hangers only
- —Brush after every wear
- —Rotate — rest 24–48 hrs
- —Cedar for seasonal storage
Custom Shirts
- —Cold water, delicate cycle
- —Air dry or low tumble heat
- —Iron while slightly damp
- —Pre-treat collar & cuffs
- —Hang — never fold in drawer
- —Wash after every wear
All Garments
- —Empty pockets before storing
- —No plastic garment bags
- —Steam, don't iron suit fabric
- —Blot stains — never rub
- —Air out before putting away
- —Act fast on spills
Questions About Your Garment?
We're always here to advise on the care of your BLU pieces. Reach out or book a consultation — garment care is part of the service.
Book a Consultation