You did it, and it's damn exciting - you finally ordered that jacket that's been winking at you from UntilDawnShop.com and now it's arrived!

You put it on and marvel at how incredible you feel. It's given you a spring in your step, you're trying on all different outfit combinations - it's beautiful, bohemian and oh so you.

But then you panic: How the HELL am I going to keep it looking this marvellous?

Luckily, it's not overly hard - and with vintage, it'll typically get better with age. But if you need a few pointers, here's a little run down on how best to keep your new jacket fresh...

Caring for your Until Dawn Jacket

First up: Keeping Upcycled Denim Fresh

The upcycled denim collection are all washed before being carefully sewn, repaired, upcycled and sent to you - so your new denim jacket will arrive fresh and gorgeous. 

Typically, denim is best when it hasn't been washed and the cotton has moulded and stretched to your body and movement - this is when it's softest and the most comfortable. And vintage denim is no different, so we massively recommend avoiding washing as much as possible!

One of my number one tips to fresh denim up after a few wears is to pop it in the freezer overnight. This will kill any bacteria lurking in the fabric. Another great way is to use a fabric steamer, if you have one - this will help any creases drop out, and freshen it up.

If you do spill something on it, spot cleaning is usually the way to go, but if you absolutely can't avoid popping it in the wash, do so in a 30 degree wash and avoid tumble drying!

What about Hand Painted pieces?

Even though all of the hand painted pieces are painted and sealed, this will not withstand washing, so I don't recommend any of them go in the washing machine - ever!

As above, I massively recommend freezing as a way to kill any bacteria, just pop your jacket in a carrier bag and put it in the freezer overnight. The next day, bring it out and leave it to come up to room temperature before taking it out and wearing it.

I'm also a huge fan of using a spritz of Zoflora diluted with water used lightly on the lining, and then hung up either on the line outside or near an open window for an air. This will help keep it smelling fresh and gorgeous!

Let's talk suede and leather...

Suede and leather are quite different but some of the main rules apply:

• Never ever machine wash, no matter how tempted you are.
• Keep them as dry as you possibly can, a drizzle of rain between shops won't hurt but a full rain storm could be catastrophic.
• A decent air out by a window is usually enough to keep them fresh.

However, there are some differences. With leather goods, it's super important that you take care conditioning them. Whether you use a shop bought leather balm or conditioner or a bit of coconut or olive oil in the kitchen, rubbing some moisture into leather will not only brighten it up and give it a healthy sheen, but it'll hugely prolong it's life.

The wonderful thing about leather is, it's generally really easy to spot clean with a damp cloth, and you shouldn't ever have to do much in the way of cleaning it.

Suede, however, is a different beast. Suede is best dry cleaned, but if you want to keep it fresh at home, head over to eBay and get yourself a suede brush. Once a year, go over it with the brush to life out any dust, dirt or grime, and it should freshen it up and keep the texture gorgeous.

Again, a quick trip to the freezer or a day by an open window is usually enough to keep this delicate material fresh smelling!

Finally: Everything Else Vintage

I always recommend referring to the care labels that might be inside your vintage treasures, but if they don't have one, here's a quick run through on how to clean your items...

• Beaded and Silk Jackets: These are best kept well away from the washing machine, and again, the freezer treatment will kill any bacteria, but if you absolutely must wash them, a gentle hand wash in cool water is perfect!
• Kimonos: Kimonos are hardy things, and typically can be machine washed on cool no problem at all - just avoid the tumble dryer and hang them out to dry in the fresh air!
• Wool Jackets and Coats: Wool is super delicate and can be easily shrunk from steaming or washing, so we recommend taking wool items to your local dry cleaner.

I hope that's been helpful guys - and if you ever have any questions about how to care for your Until Dawn purchase, don't hesitate to give me a message over on our Contact Page.