KATHMANDU: The continuous rainfall is a major problem as your clothes neither dry properly and nor on time. You end up with stinking clothes which is worse than dirty ones. To top it all, your jeans and trousers will be decorated with those stubborn mud stains, which will need extra brushing. There is nothing you can do about the rainfall but you can definitely take some steps to protect your wardrobe.

Try these —

• Cotton fabrics are the best for monsoon season as it dries up fast and is comfortable to wear. You can also choose to wear synthetic clothes and other fabrics that dry quickly. Avoid wearing heavy materials like silks and jute apparels.

• Avoid long, flowing skirts and trousers. Knee-length skirts and capris are the best option for this season. Go for half sleeves or sleeveless and frilly, flowing clothes.

• While washing, always segregate your clothes.

Ensure that light colours like pastels, whites and dark clothes are washed separately.

• These days most of the white garments contain optical whiteners to give them the desired whiteness.

Drying them in the sun will turn them yellow or grey. Therefore, always line-dry them in the shade. Never twist delicate fabrics like chiffon and crepe to squeeze out water.

• Formal wear for men has always been trousers whatever the season may be, and the slush in the streets during the monsoon means that mud stains are unavoidable. Just a quick care can avoid these spotted stains. Brush it with water and hard detergent. Ensure that you wash off the stains within 20-30 minutes.

• Avoid wearing denims in rainy season as it takes at least three to four days to dry.

• You can make your clothes smell fresh by adding scented waters (such as lavender water) to an iron and on steam setting, gently waft over the clothing. It’s a great method to get rid of stinking clothes in monsoon.