Making clothes last a long time is the first step to a more sustainable and inexpensive wardrobe.
If your clothes are lasting longer, you get to keep your favorite pieces around without fading and showing other obvious wear signs. Long-lasting clothes are also super eco-friendly, which is exactly what eco-conscious fashionistas are looking for when trying to create a sustainable and ethical wardrobe.
Keep reading to discover 10 amazing tips for making your clothing last longer. Â
1. Take Precautions for Longevity
Have you ever had unexplained damage to your clothes in storage or your closet? Bugs like clothes moths can get to your clothes and cause irreversible damage. Take precautions and invest in something to protect your clothes from this, such as a clothes moth traps for your closet.
2. Purchase High-Quality Garments
Would you rather waste money year after year replacing poor quality staple items such as jeans and jackets or spend a little more on one nicer item that will last you through the years? Spend more now to save more in the future.
3. Keep a Stain Removal Pen Handy
If you’re already super organized, you might already be carrying a stain removal pen with you in your bag. If you don’t, take this as a sign that you should start. If you have a stain removal pen with you ready to go, you can tend to any stain as soon as it happens so that those unexpected grass or red wine stains are significantly less likely to ruin your favorite garments permanently.
4. Consider a Bag for Delicates
Have you ever fallen victim to a particularly harsh wash cycle that tears up your delicate clothing? Many of us learn the hard way, but there is a way to avoid this. Invest in a couple of these delicate bags, and you’ll see an impressive increase in the lifespan of your clothing.
5. Wash Less
This doesn’t mean go out in dirty clothes but wash more consciously. Think about what a garment has gone through each time you put it through a washing and drying cycle. It tumbles around with lots of other pieces, quickly being drained of color and stretching or shrinking. Unless a piece of clothing is obviously dirty or smelly, challenge yourself to wear some clothes at least two or three times before laundering them.
6. Use Less Detergent
Nearly everyone is guilty of over-using laundry detergent. When you use too much detergent, it can settle on your clothes and leave behind a dull finish and stiff texture. Try to use half your usual amount of detergent, and maybe add a little baking soda to boost the detergent power.
7. Turn Down the Heat
The hot water on the washing machine is a big no-no. It can cause stretching, shrinking, and even permanently set stains into some fabric. The same goes for higher heat settings on dryers.
8. Wash Inside Out
The secret to preserving color on your favorite darker garments is to wash them inside out. Next wash, turn your t-shirts and other clothes inside out to prevent any prints from fading and cracking.
9. Fold Your Sweaters
If you hang up your heavy sweaters in the closet, the weight will begin to stretch the fabric down, and all you’ll have left is a droopy, sad sweater that you don’t like wearing. Instead, fold your heavy sweaters and place them on a shelf or in a drawer.
10. Air Dry
Dry your clothes outside or on an indoor drying rack. Not only will you save on your electricity bill, but it will also provide extra protection against shrinking and damage that a dryer could cause.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of the reason, preserving your clothes for as long as possible has big benefits. From helping the environment to putting more money into your pocket, it’s never too late to start taking steps to prolong your clothes’ life.
