dry cleaning

The weekend is a time for you to refresh and reset your body. While many people let loose on Friday night and Saturdays, Sunday is usually a prep day for the workweek. Save time during the week by planning out your wardrobe for work on Sunday. This is so you won't be rushing and scrambling to throw an outfit together in the mornings.

Figure out what tops and what bottoms you are going to wear and whether you're going to reuse something. Then once you have figured out your outfits, start ironing them so it's one less task you'll have to do on the weekdays. Then hang the work outfits where you can easily find them, perhaps in one corner of the wardrobe.

Dry cleaning can run up a hefty bill, especially when it's holiday season and you're attending parties galore. Annie Ladino, a celebrity stylist who recently worked with Harper's Bazaar to give MBA women wardrobe makeovers, shared with us how to extend time in between dry cleaning, which she says is really the key to saving money on professional laundering. Here is her advice:

• Keep it stain-free. "Keep portable stain removers such as Shout wipes or Tide to go pens in your purse. You can use them right away and prevent a stain from setting into the fabric."
• DIY. "Try at-home dry cleaning kits which are very easy to use. Each comes with a spot remover and a special bag that generates steam. You can clean up to four garments at a time and while they don't eliminate the need for the cleaner altogether, but they get rid of wrinkles and odors, allowing for extra use."

Need to save more? We have more suggestions on saving on dry cleaning here.

Do you feel like you've gone on a shopping spree every time you go to the dry cleaners? While it's nice to have shirts and pants hung so crisp, fresh, and clean, dry cleaning service all costs a pretty penny. If you are looking to save some bucks each month on your laundry, consider implementing these tips on how to save on dry cleaning.

• Scope the land – Rather than go to the closest dry cleaners out of convenience, do a little research on surrounding stores. Perhaps only a block away, you'll find a better deal that also offers a frequent cleaner punch card.
• Limit the clothes you take – You can hand wash most cashmere, wool, satin, silk, and cotton clothes. However, always take suede, velvet, fur, and leather to the professionals.

See more dry cleaning tips here.

Tough-to-clean sequins and silk shine this time of year, which means regular trips to the dry cleaners. Since the fancy fabrics tend to be used for more expensive items, it's important to care for them correctly. Keep your party wear in celebratory shape by following these essential tips.

• Don't bring a giant basket of inside-out items into a random cleaners. You should research beforehand to be sure that the business is reputable and well-established.
• Do take stock of your clothing before making the trip. Check to see that all items are right-side-out, yes, but also inspect the tags and take note of any special care instructions.

• Don't simply drop your bundle and go. Sure, you have plenty of other things on your to-do list, but it's worth taking the extra time to confirm that your clothing is tended to properly.
• Do get to know your dry cleaner. Spend a few extra minutes talking to the person in charge to discuss any concerns and ask about available deals that may cut costs.

• Don't shove your ticket to the bottom of your purse. It will inevitably fall into the deepest depths of your bag where the gum wrappers reside until you throw it all away a few days later.
• Do keep the ticket in your wallet. Leave it in a place that you look through daily so that you remember to pick up your order on time. If you leave your clothes at the cleaners for too long, you run the risk of pieces getting lost.

• Don't immediately hang the clean clothes in your closet. Yes, it's annoying to deal with the plastic wrap, but dry cleaning is a chemical-filled process, and you'll be exposing those chemicals to the rest of your wardrobe.
• Do remove the wrap right away. Once the items are uncovered, slide them onto your own hangers and hang the pieces in an area with regular ventilation. It's important to let the clothes air out to ensure that the fabric is chemical-free and ready to wear.