The New Yorker’s Guide to Never Ruining Your Best Clothes
January in New York is when reality sets in.
The parties are over. The temperatures are unforgiving. And suddenly, your wardrobe is doing real work again.
This is also the moment when we see the most damage done to great clothing.
At JULIETTE, January is our busiest inspection month. Not because people are careless—but because most New Yorkers have never been taught how to truly care for the pieces they invested in.
According to JULIETTE founder and fabric care expert Rechelle Balanzat, “Most garment damage doesn’t happen during wear. It happens during cleaning.”
Here’s how to make sure your best clothes survive winter—and look better for years to come.
Mistake 1: Washing More Because It’s Winter
Cold weather tricks people into overwashing.
Heavy coats feel dirty faster. Sweaters sit closer to the skin. Scarves absorb perfume sweat and city air. The instinct is to clean everything constantly.
But overwashing is one of the fastest ways to age clothing.
“Every wash breaks down fibers,” Rechelle explains. “In winter fabrics like wool and cashmere, that breakdown shows up as pilling, thinning, and loss of structure.”
What to do instead
• Rotate outerwear instead of wearing the same coat daily
• Air garments between wears
• Spot assess before defaulting to a full clean
Mistake 2: Treating Stains at Home Without Knowing the Fabric
That red wine drop. Makeup on a collar. Salt lines at the hem.
January is peak DIY stain season—and most at home treatments permanently set stains.
“Water, heat, and the wrong detergent can lock a stain into the fiber,” says Rechelle. “Once that happens, even professional care can’t reverse it.”
What to do instead
• Blot never rub
• Avoid hot water entirely
• Leave treatment to professionals when the fabric is delicate or structured
Mistake 3: Trusting the Care Label Blindly
Care labels are guidelines—not guarantees.
They don’t account for fabric blends linings finishes dyes or how the garment was constructed.
“We inspect every piece individually,” Rechelle notes. “Two sweaters with the same label can require completely different care.”
This is where most dry cleaners fall short—and where JULIETTE is different.
What Juliette Does Differently
Every garment at JULIETTE goes through a multi step inspection process before it’s ever cleaned.
• Fabric and fiber analysis
• Stain identification
• Wear pattern assessment
• Custom care plan selection
No bulk processing. No one size fits all cleaning.
This is why our customers trust us with the pieces they can’t replace.
The January Rule Rechelle Swears By
“If you love it, don’t experiment with it,” says Rechelle.
January is not the time to test new detergents, new cycles or viral laundry hacks on your favorite pieces.
It’s the time to protect them.
Start the Year With a Wardrobe Reset
Your clothes carry you through every part of city life. They deserve expert care.
Text us today at (315) 284-5689 to request your first pickup.