Tips to make your clothes last longer
How much do you spend on clothes each year? Clothes aren’t cheap and with fashion trends changing every couple of months, it can be expensive to keep updating your wardrobe to stay fashionable. But when you think about it, are the new clothes that you are buying much different to your old ones? Instead of throwing away your clothes at the end of the year, could you be savvier and look after them better? Fast fashion is a trend that’s growing, but instead of getting sucked into that movement, why not look after your clothes, keeping them nice for the years to come. Not only is this better for the environment, but it also saves you money and space within your wardrobe. Below we have put together a guide to help make your clothes last longer.
Photo by Ksenia Chernaya: https://www.pexels.com/photo/clothes-hanged-on-clothes-rack-3965545/
Wash your clothes less
We all fall into this trap – wear a dress, t-shirt or pair of trousers once and then put them into the wash. But are they actually that dirty? Or could you get away with wearing them once or twice more? Washing your clothes is vital to keeping them clean, however, the more you wash them, the more damage you are potentially inflicting them. This can cause them to wear out quicker, losing their softness and colour.
Reduce the washing temperature
You may feel washing at a higher temperature will kill more germs, this however is to the detriment of your clothing. Higher temperatures are sometimes needed for towels or bedding, but can often be avoided on less important clothing. The hotter you wash your clothes, the more likely they will shrink, cause damage to the clothes and it will cost you more money in the long run. If you can, try to adjust your temperature to around 30 degrees. A lot of clothing companies have adjusted their recommended washing instructions to this due to the environmental benefits.
Read the care label
Always read the care label of new clothes before putting them in the wash. A lot of us get in the habit of just guessing, assuming it’s the same as a similar piece of clothing that we own. Each piece of clothing is different, it could be made of a different fabric, have delicate prints on it or be made using a different process. This could mean it shrinks at the wrong temperature, discolours or causes the material to fray.
Wash your clothes inside out
This may add a little time when washing your clothes, but they will benefit from it and last longer. When in a washing machine, your clothes will inevitably rub against each other. The more friction that’s caused when rubbing, the more the colours will fade and any prints will deteriorate. Washing inside out will prevent this as the insides of the clothes will rub which doesn’t matter as much as people won’t see that side.
Air dry if possible
Try to avoid using a heated device like an electric heater or a tumble dryer to dry your clothes. Yes, it will dry your clothes quicker, but it also causes damage to your clothes, reducing the length of time they will last for. When possible, air-dry your clothing to help protect the environment, reduce your electricity bill and clothing spend. If you like the fluffy feel a tumble dryer brings, air dry and then put it in the tumble dryer to finish it off.
Keeping your clothes in their best condition isn’t as hard as you may have initially thought. By actioning some of the steps above, you’ll find your clothes lasting a lot longer than they currently do. Plus, you’ll have the added benefit of reducing your bills as well as helping the environment.
What tips do you have for helping your clothes last longer? Which of the tips above do you find most useful? Is there anything you would like to share with our readers? Let us know in the comment box below.