10 Ways to Take Care of Your Clothes and Make Them Last Longer

1. Start With Quality

it’s always a good idea to purchase quality clothing. By spending more on quality pieces that never go out of
style, you create a solid base wardrobe with longevity in mind.

When clothes shopping, look for clues that an item is made to last – and remember, price isn’t the only
indicator. Instead, try to spot attention to detail, as well as tight seams and buttons. If the material is overly
thin, or you see loose threads, buttons, or snags, those are clues that an item may not be very well made.

2. Pay Attention to Laundering

That tag found on the neck or down the side seam of your shirt is not for decoration: It gives you a
garment’s laundering instructions, which are designed to ensure that it stays in great shape.

 Wash Metal Separately. Buttons and zippers often find their way into the wash, but can
become seriously hot in the dryer, which can lead to scorching and melting on your other
clothes. Wash clothing with metal components separately and never with delicate clothes,
such as silks or knits.

3. Practice Good Hygiene

It may sound simple, but practicing good hygiene – such as showering daily, wearing deodorant, and using
proper undergarments – can help keep your clothes cleaner and in better condition. Don’t forget that sweat
also causes stains. By insisting that your family members treat their clothing with cleanliness and care, you
should get some extra uses out of each piece.

It also pays to make sure you wear the right clothes for the right events. If you know things are going to get
messy at a birthday party, don’t send your daughter wearing an expensive lace dress. Or, if you’re going out
to a bar where people smoke, opt for your cheaper wardrobe items.

4. Learn Basic Repairs

Learning to complete basic repairs on your clothing – such

as replacing a loose thread or a missing button – can make
them last longer and save you a ton of money. Even if
you’re perfectly careful with your garments, fallen hems
and buttons that pop off can take shirts and pants out of
commission. You can always bring your clothes to a tailor
for a fee, but why spend the money if you can do the repair
on your own?

5. Iron With Care

When you iron, you’re using heat to loosen fabric fibers and press them flat. Unfortunately, there’s also a
good chance you can end up burning or yellowing the fabric if you’re not doing it properly. Using too much
heat on delicate fabrics can completely ruin them, so make sure you always use the right heat level for the
type of fabric you’re ironing.

Many irons have different levels for various fabrics on the heat dial, but here’s a general guide:
  Linen: 445° F  Silk: 300° F
 Cotton: 400° F  Acetate: 290° F
 Viscose/Rayon: 375° F  Lycra: 275° F
 Wool: 300° F  Nylon: 275° F
 Acrylic: 275° F
 Polyester: 300° F

7. Practice Good Storage Habits

Whether you have a walk-in closet or a couple of shelves, the way you store your clothes can make them
last for years or, alternatively, leave them looking misshapen and damaged in just a few months. Here’s how
to store your clothes to make sure they last as long as possible:

 Fold Heavy Sweaters on a Shelf. While you might think that hanging is best for your expensive
sweaters, heavier garments such as wool sweaters can actually stretch out when you hang
them in your closet. Your best bet is to stack them folded on a shelf so they keep their shape –
and save that precious hanger space.
 Button Buttons and Zip Zippers. I can’t count the number of times a wayward zipper on one
garment has snagged or scratched the fabric on another while hanging in my closet. Sharp
zipper teeth, studs, and even buttons can catch on clothes and result in damage, so make sure
they’re fastened when you hang them in your closet.
 Invest in Better Hangers. Sure, you can score wire hangers from your dry cleaner for free, but
they’re not made for long-term storage. Wire and plastic hangers can stretch out the shoulders
of your garments, which means they won’t lay nicely on your body. Consider investing in
better hangers with wood or plush arms, which help garments keep their shape.
 Give Clothes Some Breathing Room. Even if you’re short on space, resist the urge to pack your
closet full of clothes. Squishing a ton of items next to each other can result in wrinkling and
fading as the fabrics are constantly mashed together. If you’re having to squish hangers and
garments just to squeeze in another shirt, it may be time to look into other storage solutions.
For example, a standalone armoire can help reduce some of the pressure on a bulging closet.
 Think Cool and Dry. Excess moisture and heat can encourage mold growth – even on clothes.
The mantra for your closet should be “cool and dry.” Never store clothes in a humid bathroom
or moist basement closet.

8. Dye Faded Clothes

I have a pair of black skinny jeans that fit like a glove. Of course, after
near-constant wash and wear, those black jeans are beginning to look
gray and worn-out.

9. Dress After Your Hair and Makeup

Use cosmetics that can stain and fade garments.

3. Fold clothes along the seams,
to avoid unwanted creases and to maintain the shape of the item.
7. Empty your pockets.
Empty out pockets of tissues or other odds and ends which can make a mess of your laundry.
8. Close zippers and other fasteners to prevent snagging.
Also, loosely tie strings and sashes to prevent tangling.

9. Denim
To get rid of odors: hang jeans in the bathroom before a shower (the damp steam will keep them fresh between washes), or freeze them in a plastic bag for two days.
10. Avoid the dryer when you can.
Researchers found that repeatedly drying cotton garments led to cracks in the clothing, which reduced fabric strength by 25 percent or more and also caused pilling.