14 Tips to Make Your Clothes Last Longer

Anyone who buys a new garment certainly expects it to be worn more than once. Otherwise, the purchase, regardless of cost, would not be worth it.

And while there are different types of fabrics, pieces of more or less quality, the fact is that daily care with clothes makes all the difference in the durability. For example, if you wash very often, and even in the washing machine, a delicate shirt, it tends to last very few days.

So, if you expect your clothes to last longer, pay attention to the tips below, which range from the moment of purchase to the proper storage.


1. Read the tag and rate your purchase

If the idea is to buy parts with good durability,? Buy on impulse? There is no time! It is important to know exactly what you are buying and what special care the piece may require. Of course, she may, for example, be overdelicate, but still, you? Take the risk? and want to take her home. But the point is exactly to be aware of it!

Image consultant Roberta Carlucci explains that the composition of a piece weighs heavily in its durability: fabrics that contain more natural fibers, such as cotton, linen and silk, usually have longer durability; while synthetic compositions tend to create balls, fade, fray or wrinkle more easily. "White or light-colored pieces tend to need more washes, while darker or patterned pieces are more resistant to visible dirt," he says.

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And within the idea of ​​conscious buying, it is essential to read the parts label. "So there are no surprises when you wash them," says Roberta.

2. Respect the instructions

It is no use reading the part label at the time of purchase and then never seeing it again! "You have to follow the washing and ironing instructions that are on the label," recalls Roberta.

Therefore, those who have a habit of cutting labels must first make sure of all the care that a particular piece requires.


3. Store clothes properly

Roberta explains that it is essential to properly store clothes in the closet: stretching pieces? like knits, lurex and knitting? should be folded while flat fabric items? like tricoline and silk? can be placed on hangers.

4. Remove stains as soon as possible

• Never store parts that are stained and / or may contain dirt for long periods: stains may become permanent and dirty tend to attract moths or yellow over time. The ideal is to remove the stains as soon as they happen and keep the pieces always very clean and in dry places, protected from light ?, explains Roberta.

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Some proper product guidelines for removing stains: red wine goes well with white wine; Lipstick works well with toothpaste and I really like a stain remover pen, Tide? can it be bought abroad and go in the bag for any unforeseen events ?, adds the image consultant.

5. Do not wash as often

Do you have a habit of using a piece and then already put it to wash ?! This is not the most appropriate.

"Parts that have not been in direct contact with the skin or used for a short time can be hung on hangers or hangers for ventilation to be reused once or twice before washing," explains Roberta.

Heavier coats, capes and blazers can be worn up to 4 or 5 times before they need to go to the laundry. The more you wash and spend, the less time your piece will last ?, he adds.

6. Do not wash any type of parts in the machine.

As much as a great ally, the washing machine is not suitable for washing certain types of clothes. • Pieces of fine, delicate fabrics and parts with very intense prints or colors that may fade should not be machine-operated. The ideal is always to respect what is written on the label, both in terms of washing modes and temperatures ?, highlights Roberta.

Also read: 5 types of fabrics to keep away from fabric softener

7. Properly separate parts that will go to the machine

According to the consultant, the tip is to separate by color and type of washing: more delicate or normal. "I recommend washing all the garments in the delicate cycle of the machine and color parts always without temperature so as not to fade," he says.

8. Do not batch machine

“Avoid the overcrowded machine: the more the pieces rub, the more they can fade or stick with those famous balls,” says Roberta.

9Check parts before placing them in the machine.

Button, close the velcro, take the pieces inside out? Finally, make them suitable for machine washing, otherwise they will be more likely to spoil and / or damage other fabrics that will be part of the same wash.

10. Wear protective clothing bags

Protective clothing bags help protect delicate, machine-friendly clothing such as lingerie, socks and baby clothes.

11. Use appropriate products and do not overdo

If the idea is to ensure greater durability of the parts, according to Roberta, the tip is not to overdo the washing powder and fabric softener, which can leave the parts stained or whitish over time.

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Choosing good products also makes a difference. Roberta points out the liquid soaps for delicate clothes or the famous coconut soap, which are ideas for hand washing.

12. Carefully dry to dry

The expert teaches that both white and colored pieces should never be sun dried: this is because it yellow the light pieces and fades dark pieces. "Prefer ventilated and indirect light environments," he says.

• Avoiding the use of clothespins is also highly recommended as they create horrible marks on the clothes, which require more force and temperature when ironing out of the garment. Use them only for underwear and, if necessary, attach them to the back or parts that will not be visible on the body?

13. Pass with care

Roberta recommends using an iron protector to iron all parts. "This way you won't risk burning any tissue," he says.

• Arrange the stack in order of temperature, from the part that requires the lowest temperature to the highest. Start with the iron at the lowest temperature (usually silk) and increase as the pieces allow, keeping the iron preferably lower than recommended on the label ?, advises the consultant. • When in doubt, test the iron on a part of the wrong side to make sure it will not burn. And avoid pressing the iron on the pieces! ?, he adds.

14. Have some? Home stay parts?

You don't have to wear your best clothes to stay at home, right? Have some older parts that are naturally already "worn out" just for that.

Of course, no one should? Pity? and stop wearing a clothing you bought for fear of spoiling it! But, do certain cautions make a difference and ensure your piece? even though she is very dear and thus widely used? last exactly as long as it should last!

Clothing Care: How to Make Clothes Last Longer | Andrea Graye (March 2024)


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