Here
are few ways you can take good care of your clothes:
1-
Wash less
Think
twice before washing your clothes. Washing garments too often can actually
cause damage to the fibres and hence decrease the lifespan. This is especially true with dry cleaning,
which uses harmful chemicals that flatten the natural fibre follicles in some
fabrics.
If
an item isn’t dirty but just needs freshening up, rather than slinging it in
the wash bin, try hanging it outside or in a steamy bathroom to breath first.
2-
Pay attention to care labels
Different
materials need different approaches to laundering. Wool, for instance, should
only be washed when absolutely needed, using a specific wool detergent on a
gentle cycle or handwash. It is
important to properly care for delicate fabrics such as cashmere and silk,
which are particularly vulnerable to damage by harsh chemicals and heat. . Pay
careful attention to the instructions on the label, which advise you on the maximum
recommended temperature an item should be washed at rather than the recommended
temperature. Unless, that is, the label
says dry clean only.
3-
Wash inside out
An
extra handy tip is to wash clothes inside out when machine washing, and to
avoid overfilling, as this can cause friction and damage the fibres.
4-
Air dry
There’s
nothing like that freshly laundered, air dried smell when you get your clean
clothes in from the washing line. And not only does it smell great, air drying
is also better for your clothes and the planet compared to tumble drying, which
uses a lot of energy to run and can also damage certain fibres.
Instead,
shake out your clothes and hang either outside on the washing line, drying rack
or on hangers to air dry. Again, pay
attention to clothing labels as some garments, such as woollen jumpers, might
be better dried flat.
5-
Store properly
Correct
storage can really prolong the lifespan of a garment, says Chris. Store all
clothes in a cool and dry space to protect them from damp, sunlight, and heat,
which can all cause damage. Make sure clothes are clean before storage, as dirt
and surface debris can attract clothes moths, which will damage your clothes.
Try storing your knitwear with lavender or moth balls for added protection
against clothes moths. It’s important to not overfill your wardrobe, as clothes
need breathing space – this will also prevent wrinkling and colour loss from
clothes rubbing together.
When
hanging clothes, use wooden or padded hangers to further protect garments from
becoming misshapen.
6-
Repair damage
Repair
any damage to a garment when you first notice it. This will not only keep them
item out of landfill and in a wearable state, but will increase the lifespan of
the item as the damage will likely get worse over time if left unresolved.
You
can also refresh and restore items to keep them looking their best, For
example, de-pilling that jumper you’ve worn every day, or rehydrating that old
leather jacket that’s become dry or cracked over time will preserve them and
keep them in wearable condition.
7-
Refresh the style
Many
people no longer wear their favourite item because it no longer fits them, or
because they no longer like the style. A simple alteration like taking in at
the waist or shortening a full-length dress into mid or short length can give
you what feels like a fresh new outfit, and also keep your old favourites
updated with the latest style.
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