We spend a lot of money on our clothing, but if we aren’t taking proper care of them, they may only last a few months before needing replacement. So what are some tips to make sure all of your clothing lasts as long as possible?
Here are the ten best tips to make all of your clothing last longer:
1. Hang All of Your Clothing After You Have Worn Them
When you take off a piece of clothing, hang it up right away instead of dropping it to the floor or leaving it crumpled on a chair. By hanging your clothes, they stay stretched out and don’t get wrinkled.
2. Remove Wrinkles Immediately
Wrinkles can set into clothing after just a few hours, so if you take your clothes off, and they are wrinkled, remove them quickly. You may use a clothing steamer or iron to remove wrinkles from cotton and linen shirts and pants, but be careful of using iron-on synthetics as heat applied directly may damage the material. A garment steamer is a good alternative for these fabrics because it only heats the surface of the fabric instead of coming in direct contact with it.
3. Remove Stains Immediately
Like wrinkles, stains can also set into clothing if not removed within a couple of hours. To make sure all traces of a stain are gone from your clothes, follow these steps: Blot the stain with a dry, white cloth before it has time to absorb into the fabric. Mix up equal parts of dishwashing liquid and water to form a soapy solution. Dip a clean, white cloth into the solution and blot the stain again. If you have time, let this sit for 20 minutes and then launder as usual.
4. Store Your Clothing Appropriately
Depending on what type of clothing it is, store your clothes in an area that is cool and dry. For instance, if you have sweaters or jackets that don’t need to be hung up, store them in an airtight storage bag instead to keep moths away from them (moths love eating holes through fabrics). Also, consider storing any delicate clothing such as silk scarves or lace away from light as well.
5. Clean Your Clothes Regularly
Since you should be hanging your clothes after each time you wear them, it is also a good idea to clean them regularly between wears. Over time, sweat and dirt can accumulate on clothing which will attract moths and cause yellowing or fabric breakdown if left too long without being cleaned. You can hire professional laundry services in your area to clean and press your clothes, or you can do it yourself.
6. Use Gentle Cleaning Products
When washing your clothes, use a gentle detergent such as Dreft (which is made for baby clothing) because harsh chemicals can fade and damage the fabric. Also, consider avoiding any dryer sheets or additives that can be left behind on clothes after laundering, which may cause the fabric to yellow over time.
7. Hand Wash Delicates
Regardless of whether you are cleaning your delicates yourself or having them laundered by a service, always hand-wash any clothing that can’t be washed in a washing machine. You should also never hang these clothes up to dry because the weight of the water may stretch out their shape. Instead, lay them flat to dry on towels (don’t worry about getting wrinkles, they should fall out after the items are hung up).
8. Know the Fabrics You are Washing
Before you launder any clothing, consider the fabric it is made of. Examples of fabrics that should be hand laundered include cashmere, silk, suede, leather, and wool. Cotton and linen can usually go in a washing machine gently with cold water (don’t use hot water because it may shrink cotton), but they should be hung to dry to avoid any creases or wrinkles setting in.
9. Clean Out Your Closet Regularly
Make sure you clean out your closet regularly so that items don’t get buried inside and forgotten about. This will ensure any moths aren’t able to set up shop inside the pile of clothes which will lead to their larvae eating through them while also preventing any dust or dirt from accumulating.
10. Don’t Over Wash Anything
It is always a good idea not to wash anything too often because doing so can wear down the fabric and cause threads to break over time, which will lead to holes over time. For instance, make sure you don’t wash your jeans more than once a week, same with sweaters and jackets (you should instead focus on cleaning out any visible dirt that accumulates). Also, consider washing workout clothes after every use because sweat left sitting in them for too long can lead to bacterial growth, which may harm clothing fibers if they are worn again before being washed.
Clothing, if it is well taken care of, can last for years. However, there are some common mistakes we make that can shorten their life significantly. In this article, we have explored 10 Tips to Make All of Your Clothing Last Longer! By following these tips, you can keep your clothing in good condition and extend its lifespan.