Clothes can be expensive, and sometimes it feels like they simply don't last. Whether your new shirt has faded or your favourite sweater has shrunk, it can be very frustrating. However, by following the three tips below, you can ensure that your favourite clothes last longer and stay in good condition.
Be Careful With Home Washing
Washing your clothes in the right way goes a long way towards making them last as long as possible. Make sure you wash different coloured clothes separately, and stick to cold water if you can. Hot water is bad for clothes, sometimes making them shrink or lose their vivid colours. However, if something is stained or very dirty, a short cycle of hot water may be necessary. Try to avoid tumble drying your clothes, as it's terrible for your clothes – as The Spruce explains, there are many benefits to line drying, including that it causes fewer snags and less strain on your seams, buttons and hems, making your clothes last longer. Of course, there are other benefits, such as the fresh smell it'll give your clothes and the exercise you'll get while hanging!
Consider Using A Dry Cleaning Service
If you don't know how to take care of a particular item or are worried that you'll harm it, you should consider getting the item dry cleaned. This is also the case for items that are important or sentimental to you, such as wedding dresses, formal suits and special occasion dresses, which deserve the attention of a professional. Some people prefer to get all their clothing dry cleaned to take the stress out of laundry day, though this option isn't for everyone. Find a local dry cleaner with good reviews, and ask them some questions about their services. Typically, dry cleaning is not as hard on clothes, as they know how to treat each individual fabric. If dry cleaning sounds expensive, Business Insider has some tips on saving money, such as steaming garments at home and shopping around for good deals.
Learn To Repair Clothes
A lot of people don't know how to sew and simply stop wearing a garment if there is a small tear or frayed hem. However, you'll get more out of your clothes if you learn some simple repairs. Make sure you know – at the very least – how to sew on a button, how to repair a small tear and how to hem a pair of trousers. You can also learn online to fix more complex problems; for example, Lifehacker explains how to fix problems with zips, thereby extending the life of your jeans and trousers. If you want to learn more sewing, you might learn to take in and let out clothes to suit your changing body weight and shape, allowing you to wear dresses and blouses for longer.
Whether you wash your clothes in cold water, choose to enlist the help of a professional dry cleaner, or become more active in repairing your clothes, you can make your garments last longer with only a little effort.
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