How To Make Your Clothes Last Longer

Everyone can probably agree that we have too much clothes in our wardrobes, but do we know how to look after them to ensure they last as long as possible? This post shares some tips to consider when it comes to caring for your clothes, such as reading care instructions, best ways to drying your clothes and how often you should wash your clothing.

BUY QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

One way to avoid the need to purchase more clothes is to look after the clothing you already own, and ensure they last as long as they can in their original state. One of the first choices you can make to ensure your clothes will last a long time is buying quality over quantity when purchasing a new garment. Buying a good quality garment will inevitably last longer than a mass produced fast fashion piece which lasts merely a couple months before tearing or need for mending is apparent. To add, if the fashion piece was purchased at a low price, these clothes are commonly thrown away to landfill as mending them may actually cost more than the garment itself.

READ CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Not someone who reads instructions and just hopes for the best whenever they buy something new? Well you may want to start a habit of reading care labels on your clothing, especially when it comes to looking after your clothes. Care instructions tend to include points on how to wash your items, consideration of temperature and the best way to dry, including its suitability for tumble drying. To note, washing your clothing on a cold temperature setting not only reduces the risk of shrinking your clothes, but it is also good for the environment as less energy is required. Checking these labels can also offer an indication on whether the garment is suitable for ironing or not. If you want to avoid ironing your garment, these tips below may be of interest to you:

Crease remover spray - available from a range of brands and a quick google search will present these

Steam clothes with shower on - hang your garment up in the bathroom whilst the shower is on to help remove creases in your clothes

Hairdryer - damp your clothes slightly with a spray bottle of water and use your hairdryer to dry. To note, don't leave heat on the clothing for too long

AIR DRY CLOTHES

Air drying your clothes will save both energy and money compared to tumble drying your clothing. Swapping to air-drying your clothes will reduce common wear and tear which may occur overtime whilst using a dryer. A tip to consider when it comes to knitwear is to air-dry flat. Hang drying your knitwear can cause the fibres to stretch and miss-shape your item of clothing. As well as this, try avoiding drying in direct sunlight, which can cause change of colour as it can break down any dyes used in the fibres.

AVOID WASHING TOO MUCH

Washing your clothes too much can shorten its length of life as the clothes will slowly miss-shape after every wash. Take a look at the guide below which offers an ideal timescale when it comes to washing certain items of your clothing. To note, if there is visible dirt and stains on your clothes, washing is advised.

Denim - every 5 wears if no visible dirt can be seen

Shirts/ Blouses - every 1-2 wears

Knitwear - every 1-2 wears and remember to air dry your knitwear flat to avoid altering its shape

Swimwear/ Undergarments - after every wear

Cotton Dress - 2 wears or 1 if stains/dirt is present

USE MESH BAGS FOR DELICATE ITEMS

Using mesh bags for your delicate items will ensure they are carefully washed, without risk of any embellishment breakage. Mesh bags are heat-resistant but allows water to enter the bag, ensuring your items are washed just as they would be when washed alone.

There are plenty more tips and tricks to looking after your clothes. I hope the ones listed above offer you some insightful ideas when caring for the clothes you already own.

Sabrina Cowper | Reform Your Fashion