Chapter 14

Preserving & Protecting

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  Hand Wash

  The eternal question: Wash by hand or throw in the machine?

  Best case scenario: Hand wash. More likely scenario: You live in the real world and don’t have the time (or the staff of hired help always at the ready to do your bidding). Therefore, use a laundry bag. For socks, use clips. These handy little inventions can increase the lifespan of your garments exponentially.

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  Machine Dry

  Fiction: The dryer eats your socks...

  The dryer eats your socks. Fact: Contrary to popular belief, clothes dryers are not the main culprit in the disappearance of socks. Typically, a single sock disappears somewhere along the way, and the dryer takes the blame.

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  Wash Per Wear

  Socks & underwear should be washed after being worn. Every. Single. Time.

  Socks and underwear should be washed after they are worn. Every. Single. Time. No exceptions. Even if your luggage is lost and you need to scrub them in the hotel sink (in which case, use shampoo if the front desk can’t get you laundry detergent). These are not sweaters, which can survive multiple wearings. Or jeans, which look even better when worn-in. Socks and underwear are always worse for the wear.