Extend Your Wardrobe’s Life

Home & Family, Living Green
on August 8, 2004

Clothes can last longer and maintain that like-new look if theyre cared for properly. Here are some simple tips to lengthen your wardrobes life.

Washing and ironing

Wash all pieces of an outfit at the same time. If they fade, theyll do so evenly.

Turn knits wrong side out to avoid snags and pilling.

Dont overfill the washing machine. Clothes wont get as clean, and the extra agitation will cause them to pill and wear out faster.

Use the amount of detergent recommended by manufacturer. Too much detergent can weaken fibers; too little wont erase stains.

Use bleach only on white and colorfast washables; always read fabric and bleach labels.

Be careful using chlorine bleach if your household water supply has a high iron content; it can draw out the iron and deposit it on clothes.

Use the gentle cycle of your washing machine. It cleans just as well but without the intense agitation that can wear out clothes.

Dont overdry clothes. Too much heat can weaken fabrics.

If you iron clothes using steam, use only distilled water to avoid stains.

Never iron silks on the outside.

Avoid creating shine on wools and dark colors by ironing on the inside, or using a pressing cloth or ironing shield.

To avoid crushing a fabrics nap, place a thick towel underneath the garment and press the inside.

Wear and repair

Check the fabric content label before you buy. Synthetic fabrics, such as acrylic, tend to pill and look shabby after several washings. All-cotton garments last longer.

Avoid leaving sharp or staining objects (like nails and pens) in pockets.

Let antiperspirants, perfumes and lotions dry before you dress.

Brush suits with a natural-bristle clothes brush and then hang them out overnight to air. This will stretch time between dry cleanings. (Frequent dry cleaning weakens fibers.)

Repair tears promptly so they dont get worse and sew loose buttons before they fall off.

Hang clothing on wooden or plastic hangers instead of wire.