How to Clean Suit Jackets

Father in Full Suit Holding Baby Girl and Cellular Phone

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Men’s suit jackets are wardrobe essentials for many men, especially those who need to look polished and professional in the workplace. Men’s suit jackets are typically paired with a matching pair of pants. While the best method of cleaning a suit is professional dry cleaning, the process is hard on the suit. Several home cleaning methods can keep a suit jacket looking crisp and new between occasional trips to the dry cleaners.

Use a clothing brush to remove loose dirt, debris and lint from the suit jacket after you wear it. Hang the jacket on a wooden or plastic hanger and then use the brush in wide, sweeping motions on all sides of the jacket. You can purchase clothing brushes at many department or men's clothing stores.

Take out small stains on the jacket using a stain removal pen. Stain removal pens are available at most grocery stores or drugstores. Use only enough to remove the stain and do not saturate the fabric. Test the stain removal pen before using it by applying it to an area of fabric inside the jacket that doesn't show. Check the test area a day later to make sure the product didn't damage the fabric.

Use a clothes steamer to remove wrinkles and freshen the suit jacket. Hang the jacket on a wooden or plastic hanger and hold the steamer 6 to 12 inches away from the jacket. Wave the steamer wand in a back and forth motion over the coat cloth on all sides.

Lightly dust the suit jacket with a soft, dry cloth to remove any dust and to bring up the fabric nap. This lightly cleans the jacket and helps it look crisp.

Leave the suit jacket hanging on a wooden or plastic hanger in a well-ventilated area for a day after wearing it. This provides good air circulation, removes any scents on the jacket and let any wrinkles fall out.