In the dog days of summer (which we are fully in here on the East Coast) I think it's easy to get a little lazy with laundry and dry cleaning given we are running around looking for ways to shed layers and keep cool. In between weekend trips anywhere there is water or shade, the work week takes an extra toll as the days heat up and we are out and about. Trinity Rose, a personal stylist and image consultant, as well as Closet Couture stylist, whipped up this quick reminder list of how to make sure your clothes make it through the summer looking their best.

Dry Cleaning: It's definitely worth using a “Green” dry cleaner instead of a regular dry cleaner. Its better for your health and clothes – but don't expect miracles – they still use lots of bad chemicals so dry clean sparingly – and any cleaners will age the life of clothing. Better is to do it yourself with a home kit like Dryel, available here, so you can do it for less money and with fewer harsh chemicals. Save the professionals for the truly big jobs.

Machine Washing: As a general rule, machine wash clothing using cold water and dry on low or line dry: hot water is the number one reason clothes fade, shrink and age. And don't forget HE (High Efficiency) detergent for your washer so it doesn't get too soapy and start to mildew in the summer heat.

Delicates: Hand wash all dedicates (and some dry clean only items) in cold water with a natural mild detergent and line dry or block dry. Lingerie can be washed, of course, but so can favorite t-shirts or jeans, so go crazy with the Woolite!

Stain Removal and Fabric Brightener: OxiClean, as seen on TV, is an inexpensive and eco-friendly cleaning agent that I love because it brightens whites, removes dinginess and brings old color clothing back to life. Be sure to pre-make the Oxi Clean solution first by dissolving it with warm water (one Oxi scoop per gallon of water). Available here.

Pilling and Lint: One of my pet peeves is lint or pilling on garments (guaranteed to make even the nicest dress look ratty). Make sure you have a lint roller on hand and always take the time to rid of any pilling, lint etc, before walking out the door. A good trick to remove pilling that won't come off with just a lint roller alone, is to take a razor and gently (carefully!!) shave off the pills. Don't be tempted to pull them off, your clothing will snag and it can ruin an item.

Re-soling your favorite shoes: Try to take your shoes into a good shoe repair man once a season, or at least before the soles wear down too much. I have had some of my favorite boots for over 5 years which I wear all the time and I am on sole number 3 for them. It has made the investment into a quality pair of shoes well worth it and they still look great. Summer is the perfect time to take all your fall and winter shoes into the shop while you won't miss them.

Tailor TLC: Summer is also a good time to take your garments to a good tailor. Any sagging hemlines or snagged sweaters or items that still don't fit quite right can be freshened and fixed. Plus, I always like to shorten dresses or skirts depending on how hot it is… sometimes a new dress is in your closet in the form of an old dress that can get a facelift and look terrific.

Remember our stylist rule of thumb: Attention to the little things makes a big impact. Have a great, green summer! xx Trinity Rose

Photo by Tracy Morford