How to care for your pocket square...

For all garments as well as clothing accessories, proper care and maintenance is imperative to ensuring long life and retention of the aesthetic value for a long period of time. Pocket squares are no exception. The above rule is all the more applicable to pocket squares considering the delicate nature of these items. Since pocket squares are regularly reused, they are constantly being exposed to the elements. The maintenance of pocket squares tends to vary depending on the material they are made of.

Aside from the washing and dirt removal tasks, the way the pocket square is stored plays an important role in the product’s life. The Belisi pocket square should preferably be kept in a cool and dark environment. In order to preserve the softness of the fabric, it is preferable to wrap the square in a cotton cloth. A point to be kept in mind when storing the pocket square is aeration. In order to prevent disintegration of the fabric as well as subtle smells, the pocket square should be kept in a frequently opened cupboard. For the same reason, storage in an air-tight plastic container is a strict ‘no-no’. Fiber disintegration can also take place when the pocket square is stored in a cramped space. When stored in such a way for a long period of time, stubborn wrinkles could also develop in the square. Another tip that fashion experts provide is to remove rarely used pocket squares from the cupboard at least once a month for proper aeration.

Washing of Belisi pocket squares is not a cumbersome task. However, a few pointers need to be kept in mind to maintain your pocket square as good as new for generations to come. Most men’s pocket squares can be washed at home in cold water with mild detergents. It is advisable to be gentle when washing pocket squares that have lace work or intricate embroidery, as hard rubbing could result in threads getting pulled out or torn. After washing, the pocket square should preferably not be squeeze-dried as this again could breakdown the fibers. While care and maintenance is important for all pocket squares, these requirements are all the more applicable for silk pocket squares. As far as linen pocket squares go, style experts advise dry-cleaning to be a better option as this cleaning mode maintains the cloth’s crispness and prevents undue shrinking. Dry cleaning maintains the superior texture and sheen of the pocket square. Pocket squares that are stained only in a small portion can be spot-washed. This is done by dabbing or gently rubbing a damp cloth on the spot where the pocket square is dirty. The part can then be dried again by rubbing a dry cloth on the same spot.

Following a wash, it would be a good idea to iron the pocket square or suit pocket handkerchief when still damp, using a moderately-warm iron. Care should be taken when ironing hand-rolled ivory silk or linen pocket squares to prevent pressing on the rolled edges. Usage of a press cloth between the pocket square and the iron tends to prevent the typical ‘ironed gloss’ seen in some frequently ironed clothes. All told, a well maintained pink pocket square or blue pocket square or paisley pocket square is faithful companion for countless formal occasions for many years to come.