The Wall Street Journal-20080131-Style- Ask Teri

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Style: Ask Teri

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[Fashion reporter Teri Agins answers readers' questions]

Q: I made the huge mistake of buying an off-white winter coat, a wool and cashmere blend. In the space of about two weeks, it looked like it was two years old. Is it possible to get it treated with some kind of protectant, like Scotchgarding the sofa? I don't want to pay to send it to the cleaners every couple of weeks.

-- L.P., New York City

A: White shirts, white jeans and white underwear are sturdy staples that can usually be restored to pristine condition after machine- washing in hot water and bleach. So are some light-colored khakis, with the help of high-tech fabric finishes. Pants marketed by Dockers featuring "Stain Defender" promise to repel soil and spilled cups of coffee for about 30 washings.

But the "winter white" woolens that have been popular recently -- including coats, pantsuits and dresses -- can't be washed. That makes them a nuisance to maintain, especially for big-city dwellers who can't escape urban grime. Often, these clothes require trips to the cleaners after just one or two wearings. Most people want to cut down on the cleanings, not only to save money but to prevent wear and tear, so that their favorite white clothes look new for as long as possible.

I checked in with 3M, the maker of Scotchgard Protector, the spray- on dirt and water repellent that people have used for years on chintz sofas and throw pillows. At about $6 a can, Scotchgard promises to repel dirt and stains -- though not perspiration -- on all types of clean fabrics, including delicate silks, wools, cashmere, cotton and linen. (Test a hidden corner first on colored fabrics or prints to make sure the dyes don't bleed.) Using the product "will not change the look or feel of the garment," says a 3M spokeswoman.

Hold the can six inches away, spray evenly, and leave the garment for about 24 hours to dry. Garments should be treated right after washing or dry cleaning.

Of course, folks who love to wear white and light-colored clothes will always have to behave gingerly. Avoid hugging women who wear makeup, and if you're wearing white pants or a skirt, never sit directly on a park bench or a subway seat -- lay down a scarf first. A scarf can also ward off ring around the collar if you tuck it inside the neck of your coat. Years ago, to protect my favorite white pantsuit, I wore white cotton gloves when I read the newspaper on my bus commute.

Nowadays, I just resist buying white clothes that have to be dry- cleaned.

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