How to Care for Clothes and Make Your Clothing Last
Did you know that the average American does between 8 to 10 loads of laundry per week? Think about the time, money, and water consumed just to get clothing feeling fresh and sparkly clean! If you find yourself constantly doing a load of laundry or caring for clothes, you could use some tips to be more efficient.
Your care for clothes process shouldn’t be excessively costly or time-consuming. You just need to know the right tricks and tips to keep your clothes clean and in good condition.
These tips can help preserve the quality of clothing which saves money and the hassle of buying a new wardrobe. And most of all, this practice also helps reduce waste and keep the planet healthy. Read on to discover how to care for your clothes.
Always Check the Tag
It may be tempting to throw that blouse in the warm water cycle or toss a jacket into the dryer but approach with caution. The care instruction tag’s sole purpose is to help preserve the quality, fit, and appearance of clothing.
If you ignore the instructions, there could be consequences! Get in the habit of checking the care instructions before each wash. But, to be even more efficient, check the care tag before you purchase a garment.
For example, if you don’t want to be bothered with “hand-wash” or “cold-wash” only items, leave those garments in this store. This could save you aggravation at home or money spent on dry cleaning bills.
How to Care for Dry Clean Clothes at Home?
The care tag will reveal if you need to dry clean the garment. But if you want to care for dry clean clothes at home, you may risk ruining the fabric unless you have the proper experience. Check your local home store or online for at-home dry cleaning treatments and use them at your own risk!
Cold Water Is Your Friend
Washing your clothing is not only better for the environment, but it can also reduce your home energy bill. Cold water is essential for maintaining the quality and appearance of clothing.
Warm or hot water can break down fibers or cause shrinkage in certain fabrics. In a hot water cycle, you run the risk of certain fabric dyes running and causing bleeding onto other garments. Cold water does not typically cause such issues.
When you wash your clothes in cold water, you protect the clothing’s shape and overall wear. This can make clothing look less worn and last longer.
Avoid the Dryer
While you may be tempted to dry your clothing in a rush or out of pure laziness, avoid this temptation when you can! If you’re not careful about reading the care tag instructions, the dryer could shrink, pull, or damage precious clothing.
This can cause disappointment and added expenses to replace the garments. But even if your clothing can safely go in the dryer, the intense heat and spinning cycle have the power to stretch and pull clothing over time.
This leads to unattractive results such as pilling, deformed necklines, and other issues. Instead, use an inexpensive drying rack to hang the majority of your clothes! Air drying can reduce your energy bill and leave clothes looking fresh and lasting longer.
Know When To Use Fabric Softener
Fabric softener smells fresh and adds a pleasant fragrance to clothing and linens. But if you use softener on the wrong fabrics or use the incorrect amount, it can harm clothing. That’s because fabric softeners, over time, can break down certain fibers which causes the material to wear at a faster rate.
For example materials like spandex which are commonly found in bathing suits or workout clothing do not always fare well with fabric softener. But remember when using fabric softener, a little goes a long way.
Don’t overload the laundry with too much. Just a small capful can add the softness and fragrance the clothing needs to maintain quality and appearance.
Don’t Wash Too Often
There is a science to how often you should wash your clothing. But for a general rule of thumb, and for the sake of preserving clothing, less is more.
For bulky clothing items like denim jackets or jeans, try to get a few wears before throwing them in the wash. While a gentle rinse cycle can keep your clothes fresh and clean, over time, the machine will break down and wear your clothes out.
You may also notice stretching, shrinking, or color fading depending on the wash cycle and water temperature. Use fabric sprays and leave clothes out in the natural air to help the garments feel fresh and clean between cleanings.
Use Natural Products
Natural detergents, softeners, and fabric soaps do not use hard chemicals that can break down fabric fibers or cause general wear and tear. These natural products are also better for your skin and can help tackle tough care issues. For example, check out How to Remove Deodorant Stains With Natural Products to learn more about organic clothing care.
Clothing That Requires Special Attention
You may own specific clothing items that require special care instructions. These items could require professional drycleaning or alternative cleaning methods like hand washing or soaking. For example, caring for vintage clothing requires special attention to details like delicate embroidery or old buttons.
And caring for cheap clothing can be tricky! Cheap fibers increase the risk of shrinkage, ripping, and wear and tear. You may wish to wash less frequently or rinse by hand with cold water.
These Care for Clothes Tips Can Keep Your Wardrobe in Top Shape
The best care for clothes practices protect your wardrobe investment, the environment and keep your garments looking fresher for longer periods of time. Remember that each clothing and fabric presents its own challenges. So, it is always best to utilize best practices like reading the care tag instructions, avoiding hot water rinse cycles, and the dryer when possible.
If you follow these tips and exercise increased caution when handling your clothes, you’ll hold onto the pieces you love for years to come! Did you find these tips helpful? Then check out our other home stories.
Ben Stern wrote this article on behalf of FreeUp. FreeUp is the fastest-growing freelance marketplace in the US. FreeUp only accepts the top 1% of freelance applicants. Click here to get access to the top freelancers in the world.
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