How to Properly Wash Your Clothes to Extend their Life

Are you tired of clothes that seem to wear out after just a few washes? If so, you’re not alone. I recently had several conversations on how to be content with older clothing especially if they wear out so quickly. Many people struggle to extend the lifespan of their favorite garments and accessories. But fear not, I’ve got you covered! In this guide, I share essential tips for caring and maintaining your clothes, helping you make them last longer and look fabulous.

My grandparents co-owned a clothing store, and the way clothes were treated back then was much different as well. While I am very happy, we have our fancy washing machines and dryers, I have been grateful for all the lessons my grandma and mom taught me on how to take care of my clothes properly.

From choosing the right detergent to handling delicate fabrics, I’ll walk you through the steps to keep your wardrobe in top shape. We’ll also explore the importance of proper storage and offer hacks for removing stubborn stains.

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Why is clothing care important?

Before we dive in, lets explore why clothing care is essential. Firstly, it helps to maintain the appearance and quality of your clothes, ensuring that they look good and last longer. By taking care of your garments, you can avoid pilling, fading, and other signs of wear and tear that can make your clothes look worn-out before their time.

Secondly, caring for your clothes can save you money in the long run. When you invest in high-quality garments, it’s important to protect that investment by extending their lifespan. By following proper care and maintenance practices, you can avoid the need for frequent replacements, ultimately reducing your overall clothing expenses.

Finally, caring for your clothes is also an eco-friendly choice. The fashion industry is a major contributor to environmental pollution, and by extending the lifespan of your garments, you can help reduce waste and the carbon footprint associated with clothing production. By embracing sustainable clothing care practices, you can contribute to a greener future.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Washing Your Clothes

When it comes to clothing care, there are several common mistakes that many people make. By avoiding these pitfalls, you can ensure that your clothes stay in great condition for longer. One of the most common mistakes is using too much detergent. Contrary to popular belief, more detergent does not necessarily mean cleaner clothes. In fact, using too much detergent can leave residue on your garments, leading to build-up and potential damage over time.

Another mistake to avoid is washing your clothes too frequently. While it’s important to keep your clothes clean, washing them after every single wear can cause unnecessary wear and tear. Sometimes, it is an automatic behavior that I put my clothes in the hamper. Does this happen to you? A hamper with a lid or even putting a note on the laundry hamper has helped. Instead of washing, I have started to spot clean or to air out my clothes to extend the time between washes.

Additionally, ignoring care labels can also lead to clothing care mistakes. Care labels provide valuable information about how to best care for your garments, including recommended washing temperatures, drying instructions, and more. By following these instructions, you can avoid damaging your clothes and help them last longer.

By being mindful of these common clothing care mistakes, you can ensure that you’re taking the best possible care of your garments.

Essential Tips on How to Wash your Clothes

Now that we’ve covered the importance of clothing care and the mistakes to avoid, let’s dive into some essential tips for caring and maintaining your clothes. These tips will help you keep your wardrobe in top shape, ensuring that your favorite garments last longer and continue to look fabulous.

1. Choose the Right Detergent

The first step in proper clothing care is choosing the right detergent. Opt for a mild, pH-neutral non-toxic detergent that is suitable for your specific garment type. Avoid using harsh detergents or bleach, as they can damage fabric fibers and cause colors to fade. If you’re unsure about which detergent to use, check the care label for recommendations or consult with a professional cleaner.

2. Sort Your Laundry Properly

I know this is a tough one. Let’s face it, in reality we don’t have time to wash everything separately nor is it good for the environment. However, at least some level of properly sorting your laundry is crucial for clothing care. Separate your clothes based on color, fabric type and level of dirtiness. This will prevent color bleeding, protect delicate fabrics, and ensure that heavily soiled items are treated appropriately. I usually sort darks from lights, and if there is a lot of red and darker pink, I wash those separately too. Additionally, I wash certain groups of items of the same fabric together. It helps not to rough up fabrics as they’re being washed. This is especially important to keep fibers from pilling. For example, wash delicates separately and never mix in towels or bedding with our clothes.

3. Handle Delicate Fabrics with Care

Delicate fabrics, such as silk, lace or wool require special care to avoid damage. When washing delicate items, use a gentle cycle or hand wash them to prevent stretching, tearing, or snagging. For further protection, I use mesh laundry bags for more sensitive items. I also put panties and socks in the bags. Makes hanging them to dry so much easier and they’re contained in the wash. It truly extends their life cycle. Also, avoid wringing out or twisting delicate garments, as this can cause them to lose their shape.

4. Get to know your washer settings

Utilize the settings on your washing machine to your advantage. Get to know which program washes at what temperature. Also know the spin cycle of the program. Can you manually alter the temperature and spin cycle for certain programs? This can allow you to wash your clothes on the lowest temperature you can get away with and have a low spin setting. I love that the newer machines also adjust the amount of water based on the amount of clothing you are washing. If yours doesn’t automatically, make use of the different load size settings.

Make use of the prewash setting when you are treating stains. This allows the stain treatment to work before they are washing the clothes in whichever cycle is selected. My most used cycle is the Delicates cycle. I wash almost all of our clothes on this cycle and combining it with the prewash cycle takes care of most stains.

5. Avoid Overloading the Washing Machine

Overloading the washing machine can put unnecessary strain on your clothes and reduce their lifespan. It’s important to leave enough space for the water and detergent to circulate freely. If your machine is too full, the clothes may not be cleaned properly, and the friction between garments can cause pilling and other damage. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for load capacity to ensure optimal cleaning results.

6. Choose the Right Drying Method

I air dry most of my clothes – the dryer is the enemy of a fabrics’ life. I have a great drying rack that accommodates almost all of our clothing for one load. Our blouses and shirts, nicer tops, jackets I hang right away on hangers. If your clothes rack doesn’t allow for hangers, hanging them on a shower rod can be a helpful trick. Or a special drying rack in your laundry room is a great option. You can air dry all your clothes even if you don’t have a fancy laundry room which allows for all of it. Simply find a good space in your home with good air flow. Careful not to subject your clothes to direct sunlight as that can fade the color on your clothes. Placing your drying rack in direct sunlight can be useful if you are trying to bleach white clothes.

For items that go in the dryer, always use the lowest heat setting and least amount of dry time necessary to dry your clothes. Additionally, I use wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets as dryer sheets are bad for both your dryer and your clothes. The coating on the drier sheets eliminating static and adding the scent, transfer to your clothes weakening the fabric. They are also bad for your dryer as the chemicals of the sheets can cause a film to coat the mesh inside the lint trap causing a buildup of heat as the trap stops working properly. Dryer balls are a great alternative to limit the static. To add some smell, you can always add essential oils to the dryer balls.

7. Store Your Clothes Properly

Once your clothes are washed, proper storage is essential for maintaining the quality of your clothes. Avoid using wire hangers, as they can stretch and distort the shape of your clothes. Instead, use padded or wooden hangers to support the garment’s structure. Fold delicate items such as sweaters or knits to prevent stretching, and store them in breathable garment bags and add cedarwood blocks or lavender satchels to protect them from dust and insects.

8. Iron or Steam Your Clothes Regularly

Ironing and steaming are essential for maintaining the appearance of your clothes. Follow the garment care instructions to determine the appropriate ironing temperature. If you’re unsure, start with a lower heat setting and gradually increase if needed. Alternatively, consider using a garment steamer, which is gentler on fabrics and can remove wrinkles effectively.

9. Remove Stains Promptly

Stains can be a nightmare to deal with, but prompt action can make all the difference. As soon as you notice a stain, treat it immediately. Blot the stain with a clean cloth or paper towel to absorb as much of the substance as possible. Avoid rubbing the stain, as this can push it deeper into the fabric. Use a stain remover or a mixture of mild detergent and water to treat the stain. Follow the care label instructions and wash the garment as usual.

10. Additional laundry insights to consider when you make a purchase

Before you buy new clothes, be realistic what you’re willing to do to properly care for your clothing. Before you purchase and item, or decide if you keep an online purchase, look at the label instructions and ask yourself “am I willing to wash this item as instructed by the label?”. If you can’t commit, I’d recommend not purchasing those garments.

Extending the lifespan of your clothes is not only about making them last longer, but also about embracing a more sustainable approach to fashion. By taking care of your garments and investing in proper maintenance, you can reduce waste, save money, and minimize your environmental impact.

By following these essential tips and making conscious choices when it comes to caring for your clothes, you can transform your wardrobe into a collection of long-lasting, well-maintained pieces that will continue to make you look and feel fabulous for years to come. Start implementing these practices today and enjoy the benefits of a well-cared-for wardrobe.