Just like most things, clothes have an expiry date. At a certain point, clothes get too shabby and you’ll have to throw it out. It’s estimated that the average American family spends over $1800 a year on new clothes alone. Save money and keep your favorite pieces of clothing around for longer with these practical clothing care tips.
Clean your dryer vents regularly
Invest in regular dryer vent cleaning services to make sure your vents aren’t clogged. Clogged vents lead to dryer heat which ends up damaging the fiber in your clothes. This is due to the fact that drying takes much longer, which means you’ll have to keep clothes in the dryer for longer than recommended.
Wash clothes in cold water
Avoid washing your clothes in water that’s too hot. You can prolong the life of your clothes by soaking it in cold water with a mild bleach-free detergent instead.
Air dry your clothes
Leaving your clothes out to dry in the sun is much gentler on its fibers than having it dried in a dryer. Just be sure to dry colored clothing under the shade and not under direct sunlight to keep its colors from fading. It’s fine to dry white clothes out in direct sunlight though.
Unbutton buttons and zip up zippers
Zippers that aren’t zipped up can easily get caught on other clothing if you’re washing it in a washing machine. This will break it down quicker. Meanwhile, unbuttoning buttons ensures that the threads surrounding the button aren’t loosened.
Fold your clothes
Storing your clothes properly can extend its life by years. The best way to store them away is to fold them rather than hang them on hangers. This prevents clothing from losing their shape and stretching out.
Don’t wash clothes after wearing them only once
If it’s not dirty, don’t wash it. Stains and spots deserve a thorough cleansing, but you should otherwise keep used but still relatively clean clothes away from your hamper.
Pay attention to laundry tags
Clothing tags contain information regarding the proper washing instructions for specific pieces of clothing. Familiarize yourself with the laundry symbols you’ll find on them so that you can employ the correct washing method for whatever article of clothing you have.
Clean stains immediately
When it comes to stains, it pays to act fast. Don’t delay treating stains in order to prevent it from settling into the fabric of your clothing. There are stain treatment sprays and detergent pens which you can carry around with you if you tend to be clumsy with food. These tools can buy you some time until you can have it thoroughly washed.
Refrain from using bleach
If you can help it, try to avoid using bleach or bleach-based products when washing your clothes. There are tons of gentler alternatives to bleach that work just as well. One example is baking soda which can efficiently break down stains, grease, and food residue without the need for harsh chemicals.
Group similar items together
One of the most basic laundry rules that everyone should know is to wash like items together. For example, dark colors should not be placed in the same load as whites or light-colored pieces of clothing. Meanwhile, delicate clothing should not be placed with bulkier pieces of clothing because they’re prone to get damaged by these heavier items.
Get more wear out of your favorite pieces of clothing and save money in the long run by following these practical clothing care tips.
