How to prep clothes for photos: steam, lint and the five-minute check

Step 1: clean and dry

• Wash or air it first, following the care label. A piece that has been sitting in a drawer often just needs a few hours on a hanger by an open window.
• Check for marks in daylight. Deal with what you can, and note anything that will not shift for the description.
• Make sure it is fully dry before steaming or photographing, so damp patches do not show as dark marks.

If a piece smells musty or of smoke, our guide to getting smells out of second-hand clothes covers airing and washing.

Step 2: steam or iron out the creases

Creases from folding are the most common thing that makes a listing photo look tired.

Using a handheld steamer

1. Check the care label. Most cottons, linens, wool and many synthetics steam well. Be careful with anything labelled "do not iron" or "do not steam", and test on an inside seam if you are unsure.
2. Hang the piece on a hanger from a door or rail.
3. Hold the steamer upright, close to but not pressed against the fabric, and work from the top down.
4. Gently pull the fabric taut below the steamer with your other hand, keeping your fingers away from the steam.
5. Let it cool and dry on the hanger for a few minutes before you photograph it.

Keep the steamer away from leather, suede and anything with glued trims or sequins unless the label says it is fine.

Using an iron

Use the temperature the care label shows. Iron dark fabrics, prints and anything that could shine on the inside, or use a pressing cloth such as a clean cotton tea towel between the iron and the fabric. Iron collars and cuffs from the points inwards, so creases do not form at the tips.

No steamer or iron?

Hang the piece in the bathroom while you run a hot shower, then let it hang to dry. It will not give a crisp finish, but it softens folding creases.

Step 3: lint and pet hair

Dark fabrics show every speck in a photo.

• Use a lint roller, rolling in one direction rather than back and forth.
• Wrap packing tape round your hand, sticky side out, if you do not have a roller.
• A slightly damp rubber glove wiped over the fabric picks up pet hair well.
• Check the inside too, especially pockets and linings.

Step 4: bobbles

Pilling under the arms, along the sides and on the seat makes a piece look older. A fabric shaver or a wool comb takes it off in minutes. Our guide to removing bobbles from jumpers shows how to do it without damaging the knit.

Step 5: the five-minute check

Just before you take the photo:

• Empty the pockets so they lie flat.
• Do up buttons and zips, or leave a coat open on purpose to show the lining.
• Straighten the collar and fold any lapels flat.
• Line up the side seams so the piece hangs or lies straight.
• Snip loose threads close to the fabric rather than pulling them.
• Smooth out the sleeves and lay them so they look natural.
• Remove any dry-cleaning tags or safety pins.

Do not hide flaws

Prepping a piece is about showing it at its best, not making it look better than it is. If a mark or a patch of wear is still there after cleaning, photograph it up close and describe it. A buyer who sees a flaw before buying is far happier than one who finds it in the parcel. On Rewear you can also tick flaws in the "Any flaws?" section of the listing form.

Then take the photos

With the piece ready, the photos are quick. Shoot near a window in daylight, against a plain background, with the whole piece first and then the label, the fabric and any flaws. Our guide to photographing clothes to sell has the full set-up.

The short version

Clean and dry first. Steam or iron as the care label allows, roll off lint and pet hair, and remove bobbles. Empty pockets, do up fastenings, straighten the collar and seams and snip loose threads. Then photograph it in daylight, flaws and all.