Car manufacturers recommend that oil changes happen every 3,000 miles.  Food has "Use By" dating.  But clothes are another story.  Asking 100 people how they decide when to dryclean their clothes will gather 100 different answers.  Here are some favorite methods:

• The smell test - If it stinks, clean it.
• The wrinkle method - If the wrinkles can be shaken, steamed or ironed out, it's wearable again.
• The "time worn" method - If it's only been worn for a few hours, it's wearable again.
• The rotation method - After being worn, clothes are replaced in the back of the closet and others are rotated forward.
  

Beware of Permanent Damage

These "handy" methods may save trips to the drycleaner, but could spell the end of the clothes.  A few hours in a suit or dress at a wedding includes at least one chicken dance or Macarena.  The sweat may not smell, but the stain can be permanent if not cleaned soon after the happy event.  Food stains on a pair of drycleanable pants can set in permanently or become insect food if rotated to the back of the closet and left un-worn for too long.

Regular Cleaning Makes Clothes Last Longer

Most people do laundry on a weekly basis.  Of course, not everything gets washed each time it's worn.  A good rule of thumb for drycleanable clothes is to clean them as frequently as washable clothes.  For example, a pair of drycleanable pants worn with a washable cotton sweater that gets washed once a month should be drycleaned monthly too.  Regular care can significantly extend the life of clothes.

Holiday Clean-up Tips

Holiday parties often mean stains - on clothes, on tablecloths, on rugs.  Here are some quick and easy holiday cleaning tips from Good Housekeeping to save your favorite fabrics from stains.