Did you know that a little extra care and a little less washing can make your clothes last longer? Here are some top clothes care tips to help you get a little more mileage out of your wardrobe.
Know yourself and your clothes
One of the quickest paths to ruining or mistreating clothes is to purchase something you don’t have the time, funds or energy to maintain properly. Don’t fool yourself: if you really can’t afford to dry clean your clothes, but tell yourself you’ll hand wash them instead (where that’s a suitable substitute), make sure you are prepared to follow through. Once soiled, that cashmere sweater may just end up wadded in a plastic bag until you finally decide what to do with it. You might decide, then, to limit your dry-cleaning purchases to special-occasion clothing, such as suits, evening gowns, or uniforms.
One of the quickest paths to ruining or mistreating clothes is to purchase something you don’t have the time, funds or energy to maintain properly. Don’t fool yourself: if you really can’t afford to dry clean your clothes, but tell yourself you’ll hand wash them instead (where that’s a suitable substitute), make sure you are prepared to follow through. Once soiled, that cashmere sweater may just end up wadded in a plastic bag until you finally decide what to do with it. You might decide, then, to limit your dry-cleaning purchases to special-occasion clothing, such as suits, evening gowns, or uniforms.
Likewise, clothing that requires ironing is not a good choice for someone who hates to iron. The best bet is to buy clothes that you can keep in constant circulation; so, if you’re a wash n’ wear kind of guy or girl, shop accordingly.
Washing tips
Wash in cold water to leech less color out of fabric and keep dark clothes looking their best longer. Be sure to have enough water in your wash: use too little and your clothing will experience wear and color loss from friction.
Wash in cold water to leech less color out of fabric and keep dark clothes looking their best longer. Be sure to have enough water in your wash: use too little and your clothing will experience wear and color loss from friction.
Hang your clothes to dry, when it makes sense, since the heat of the dryer also wears clothes out and robs them of their color faster. Be sure to put knits on a flat-drying rack so they don’t stretch while wet.
Kids’ clothing often needs extra dirt-fighting; try vinegar in a cold-water wash to boost the cleaning power of each load.
Launder less often
You don’t necessarily have to wash all pieces of clothing after one wearing. Less exposure to water, heat, bleach and washing-machine friction will lead to a longer life for the fibers that make up your clothing. Do be sure to store gently-worn items properly as soon as you take them off to protect them from wrinkles and dust. Once a piece of clothing becomes wedged in a pile or falls on the floor, however, its next stop should be the laundry room.
You don’t necessarily have to wash all pieces of clothing after one wearing. Less exposure to water, heat, bleach and washing-machine friction will lead to a longer life for the fibers that make up your clothing. Do be sure to store gently-worn items properly as soon as you take them off to protect them from wrinkles and dust. Once a piece of clothing becomes wedged in a pile or falls on the floor, however, its next stop should be the laundry room.
Tools of the laundry-free trade
Stain sticks can be your portable stain-fighting friends. Carry a Tide or Shout stain pen with you and tackle rogue spots as soon as they happen, returning your favorite blouse to “wearable” status, even on the go. If the mess is beyond a quick fix, be sure to treat the stain immediately.
Stain sticks can be your portable stain-fighting friends. Carry a Tide or Shout stain pen with you and tackle rogue spots as soon as they happen, returning your favorite blouse to “wearable” status, even on the go. If the mess is beyond a quick fix, be sure to treat the stain immediately.
Store properly
Hang items that need hanging and fold knits to avoid stretching. Also be sure to protect fine knits from moth damage by keeping them covered in a chest of drawers or a hanging bag. Be sure that clothes stored for the season are clean before they are placed in airtight bins or bags.
Hang items that need hanging and fold knits to avoid stretching. Also be sure to protect fine knits from moth damage by keeping them covered in a chest of drawers or a hanging bag. Be sure that clothes stored for the season are clean before they are placed in airtight bins or bags.
Do regular maintenance
Check your clothes regularly for rips, pulled seams and missing buttons. Once a piece of clothing goes too long without repair, it gets out of circulation and probably out of your wardrobe, so leave no favorite pieces behind.
Check your clothes regularly for rips, pulled seams and missing buttons. Once a piece of clothing goes too long without repair, it gets out of circulation and probably out of your wardrobe, so leave no favorite pieces behind.
There are plenty of ways to extend the life of your clothing. Remember that the few minutes of extra care you give now may mean more enjoyment down the line.
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