Today, we’ll give you a few tips on how you can make your clothes last longer, whether you’re a textbook definition of an eco-conscious person or someone who is simply tired of buying a whole new wardrobe every year.
Don’t wash too often
If you’re living by yourself or with your partner and spouse, there is really no need to wash your clothes every day; not only is it bad for your water and electricity bills, but it also makes your garments look worn out and significantly shorten their lifespan. Also, pay attention to the fabric that your clothes are made of and learn about how often you should clean them. Clothes made of merino wool such as Irish sweaters https://www.tarairishclothing.com/collections/mens-knitwear , for example can actually go a long time without being washed and you can simply hang them somewhere airy after every wear to make them just as fresh as after a good clean.
Buy special detergent
We all tend to buy detergent in bulk, often the most affordable one we can find, and to use it for our laundry no matter what we’re washing. However, you truly need to make an investment in a few types of detergents if you want your clothes to last for as long as possible. Apart from your regular one, I recommend getting one for your whites, darks, and delicate fabrics like wool, satin, and silk. If you want it to last you wouldn’t wash a woolen Irish sweater with the same detergent that you use for your bed sheets or pajamas. Clothes like these require a bit of special treatment, but it is definitely worth it in the long run.
Use special bag for delicate clothes and underwear
This is something that I’ve learned while in college when I got tired of losing at least a third of my socks in the washing machine. A good girl friend of mine recommended getting a special bag to keep all of my underwear as well as other clothes made of more gentle fabrics in a place so that I will never have to worry about losing them again. I finished college a long time ago, but to this day I use these laundry bags and I think they’ve played an important role in making my clothes last longer.
Don’t overuse the dryer
When we’re on a run or we feel like wearing the same shirt multiple times a day, we often tend to use the dryer. Although it is very practical and saves up a lot of time, it often ruins clothes, especially the ones made of delicate fabrics like silk or wool. For textiles like these, the best option would be to lay them flat on a towel and let them dry somewhere in a sunny area. This way, they will have a longer lifespan and will look just as good as new.
Learn how to get rid of stains
We often feel like getting rid of clothes that still have stains even after being washed with regular detergent, but most of them can be easily saved if you learn how to clean them properly. For example blood stains can be removed using hydrogen peroxide and cold water, and for oil or grease stains you can use salt that would suck up all the moisture and then let them sit for a bit covered in liquid detergent.