Whether it’s your perfect pair of jeans or nicest top, your clothes say something about you. That’s why it is especially heartbreaking when your favorite items of clothing fade, shrink or lose their shape over time. The easiest way to ensure this doesn’t happen is to take better care of your beloved belongings. Here are four tips to help you get the most out of your clothes, one load of laundry at a time.
Read the Label
This might sound intuitive, but launderers across the world have destroyed their clothing simply by failing to follow this first simple step. Some of the most important label instructions to follow include washing dark clothes inside out, keeping like colors together and hand washing as directed.
Dry-Clean
See above: If the tag says “dry clean only,” then be sure to dry-clean. Wool and cashmere sweaters, silk or sequined tops and most outwear (such as jackets and coats) require dry cleaning. If going to the dry cleaners seems like a hassle, consider dry cleaning mobile delivery to expedite the process.
Lower the Temperature
Higher water temperatures tend to strain fabric. Even if a tag says it is OK to wash something on warm or hot, it’s best to err on the side of caution and keep the water cooler to ensure your clothes last longer.
Skip the Dryer
Perhaps the easiest way to protect your clothing is to keep it out of the dryer. It might feel comforting to take warm laundry straight out of the machine, but did you know that lint is actually pieces of fabric stripped away after each load? Instead, consider hanging your clothes outside. Sunlight is a natural bleaching agent and disinfectant and has the power to lift stains and freshen garments better than any chemical.
Don’t have a clothesline or drying rack? Stairwell banisters or clothespins attached to hangers do the trick just fine.
The majority of clothing is discarded well before necessary. That is why it is especially important to prolong the life and look of your favorite garments. After all, clothes are meant to be enjoyed as long as possible.