Keeping your clothes longer allows you to better enjoy your favorite outfits. It helps limit your shopping budget and is also environmentally friendly.
Just because stores and advertisements tell you it’s time to redo your wardrobe doesn’t mean you have to get rid of all your clothes every season to get your eye on all the new products and sales!
Every piece in your garde-robe is a gift of love. We have all been there and we understand.
So take a minute, and read our 9 practical tips to make your favourite clothes last longer.
You might also like to know these Easy Tips To Look Elegant With Your Shoes
Down and winter coats
Proper care and storage of your winter coats are key to their conservation, comfort and warmth. « I advise washing them individually and not forgetting to empty the pockets, » says Jody Schwartz, president of the outdoor fashion brand Free Country.
« Winter and down coats can be put in the dryer, but follow the instructions on the label. « All fur trimmings should be removed to prevent damage or settling during drying. Don’t use softeners. These fabrics already have them, » she says.
Jody Schwartz’s trick is to add a tennis ball or two in the dryer, which preserves the original fleece appearance of the padded parts of the coats.
Then, when summer comes, clean the outside of your winter coat. Close all buttons and zippers to keep it in shape. And store it in a dry and dark place, with anti-moth cedar cubes.
Wash your jeans upside down
We’ve already explained to you everything you don’t know about your favorite jeans, including that your dark jeans must be washed upside down. And we hope you followed our advice!
Of course for some purists, you should never wash your jeans. We disagree.
Our advice: The simple fact of turning them over before throwing them into the machine will avoid finding them strewn with faded white streaks.
For very light jeans, however, there are no special instructions and even if you are advised to wash them regularly, avoid doing so every 4 mornings.
And don’t forget to close the zips before washing!
Nothing is worse than realizing that the zips left open in the machine have taken all the threads of your beloved top in their path! So to avoid getting angry when you take out your damaged clothes, remember to close all your zippers before washing.
Adjust the water temperature correctly.
The temperature at which you wash your clothes can discolour and damage them very quickly. And you may not realize how much this can be the case.
One day, my mother-in-law had wanted to do me a favour: She had washed the dirty clothes that my son had worn during the three days we stayed with her.
When I got the clothes (which were almost new before this last wash), I didn’t understand anything. The clothes had a faded color, the patterns had taken a hit and were less clear, not to mention the t-shirts and cotton pants that were almost bouncing!
The reason was very simple: I used to wash clothes more or less the same colour upside down, and at 30°C (86°F) whenever possible (i.e. for all clothes with little dirt, and when there is no stubborn stain).
On the other hand, she washes her clothes without sorting the colours, right upside down, and at 60°C (139°F).
Remember: Cold water is suitable for clothing made of natural fibres, bright colours and fine fabrics. Warm water is best for synthetic materials. We use hot water only for very dirty or stained clothing.
In any case, look carefully at the labels on the clothes, and if you are unsure, always try to choose the lowest temperature.
Maintenance instructions from the 1950s are still being followed, while modern detergents contain active ingredients that are now effective at low temperatures.
What to do? Consider that the temperature indicated on the care label is the maximum temperature, not the recommended temperature. In addition, by washing your clothes ten degrees less, you can save up to 60% of energy. You can even Save More Money! by Controlling electricity consumption (Click here)
Fine lingerie precaution
Don’t think for a second about putting your beautiful underwear in the washing machine, » says Patricia Brown, Yandy’s Vice President of Marketing, « You should always wash fine lingerie by hand, because the fabrics are very delicate.
We are talking about bras and everything that includes silk, lace, or any other fine adornment ».
Alternatively, they can also be placed in a special delicate cycle pouch. Just, avoid the dryer completely as it could deform the cups.
One more thing: Fold your bras and underwear that have dried on the clothesline, and store them in your drawers. Avoid hanging them on hangers as some department stores do, as this could compromise their fit.
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Pantyhose in the fridge!
Tired of pantyhose that keep tapering off? So follow this simple trick to stop spinning your tights. It’s incredibly effective!
Here’s how: simply immerse your pantyhose in water, wring them out and put them in the fridge overnight. The next morning, take them out and let them dry in the open air. You’ll see, your tights will be instantly more resistant.
Store your clothes carefully to protect them
There is nothing worse to damage a garment, than an overflowing closet or clothes rolled into a ball to force them onto a shelf … It does not do any good at the seams, and does not preserve the shape and fall of the garment.
Depending on the fabrics and styles, hang or fold your clothes to store them.
Another tip: Invest in quality hangers!
It is worth it.
This may seem like a detail, but an unprotected metal hanger can leave traces on light clothing.
Do you want to go further? The solution that is perhaps the best is to match your dressing room to the capsule collection, or according to the 333 system (33 clothes / accessories / shoes for 3 months).
This allows you to air your dressing room, and to have the space to store your belongings without squeezing them too tightly or wrinkling them. Anything not worn during the season is stored away from light and dust, which helps to better protect these items during periods when they are not worn.
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Ironing: Be Aware
Pay special attention to the settings. An excessive temperature of the iron can cause indelible yellow or brown marks. This is why it is essential to adapt the level of heat to the material of your garment. Most irons have different settings on their heat dial, but as a general rule:
Materials of plant origin such as linen, cotton, hemp, bamboo, or jute fabrics are textiles that can withstand heat well.
Linen is rigid, and very easily crumpled a lot. This is why you can iron it at high temperature. It will withstand up to 230° (446°F). Feel free to put a little steam on it.
Cotton can also be ironed at high temperatures, i.e. between 180 and 200° (356°F to 392°F).
Materials of animal origin such as wool, silk, cashmere, angora or mohair cannot withstand high temperatures.
Sensitive and not very wrinkleable, wools must be ironed with a damp cloth and an iron at a moderate temperature (150 °C or 302°F). This consists of placing a damp cloth between the garment and the iron to avoid polishing.
Resistant, the silk does not wrinkle much. However, silk marks quickly, so it will be preferable to do a vertical steam straightening. Also note that wild silk must be ironed dry.
For synthetic materials, they have the advantage of few wrinkles. Indeed, whether they are polyamide, acrylic, viscose or nylon, they do not require any ironing.
Finally, for clothes made of mixtures of several materials it will be better not to set the temperature too high, go with 110°C (230°F).
Don’t overdo dry cleaning
Not only it is expensive, but the chemical elements of the process can, after a while, damage your clothes. There is no point in dry cleaning a worn part once. The rule to follow is to do it about every 3 to 4 times to keep the parts in good shape.
Do you need to remove a fold from a shirt? Hang it in your bathroom when you shower to enjoy the natural steam.
Fill your shoes and bags
Maintain the shape of your favorite accessories by filling them with newsprint when you’re not using them.
Not only will this make it possible to preserve their structure, but it will also force us to store its contents, all these little things that we leave lying around as soon as we change bags. Yes yes yes, we know you all do.
Next: Discover 10 Easy Tips To Look Elegant With Your Shoes!
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