When you find clothes you love and add them to your wardrobe, you’ll inevitably want them to last! So, we’re here with some simple ways that you can prolong the life of your wardrobe, and these things will all also save you money, some in the short term and others in the long run.
From washing on lower temperatures to changing your washing detergent, all of these things can easily be implemented into your routine and will help the environment, too! We’re focusing on your washing routine here, as that’s the most simple and easy way to prolong the life of your wardrobe, as well as a few other tips to help out along the way.
Wash On Lower Temperatures
The first thing you can do to prolong the life of your wardrobe is to wash at lower temperatures. Washing your clothes at 30 degrees can save up to 60% energy per wash, so you are helping the environment and saving money, yet it also prolongs the life of your clothes. Washing at high temperatures has an impact, damaging materials, stitching and delicate details, and so when you’re doing this regularly, it’s normal for clothes to get misshapen and even damaged. Plus, washing at 30 degrees is highly effective thanks to the quality of washing detergents today. So, turn down the temperature on your washing machine, save money and protect your clothes!
Wash Less Often
Another good tip is to wash your clothes less often. Many people assume that you should wash things after every wear, and although that’s the case for some things like gymwear, tight fitting t-shirts or underwear, in many cases, it’s absolutely fine to wear things more than once. You’ll know when something needs a wash after all! Things like knitwear and jeans only really need to be washed when you’ve spilled something on them, as well as some of your more casual outfits you don’t wear out of the house, so just make sure they’re stored in an area that gets plenty of air and space so they don’t start to smell. Just think twice before throwing something out to wash and soon you’ll realise that you’re washing less often, and therefore your clothes are going through the strenuous process of a wash less often.
Avoid Tumble Drying
Something else that you should avoid doing to prolong the life of your wardrobe is to avoid tumble drying. The high heat and spinning used in tumble drying can cause fabrics to warp, as well as damage stitching and cause items to fade. Sometimes tumble drying is unavoidable, such as when it’s really cold and it takes days for clothes to dry. However, if you can aim to air dry your clothes whenever possible, then this can help to make a real difference.
Buy Better Quality, Less Often
To help your clothes last longer, it’s ideal if you can buy better quality items less often. Better quality clothes are made with more care and precision, as well as better materials, so they will be less damaged by the washing process. Try to shift your mindset so that instead of buying new outfits for every night out or occasion, invest more in better quality items that you’ll keep for years. Plus, better quality clothes just make you feel great as the materials are nicer and the tailoring is done to a better standard, so it will also give you a great confidence boost as well. Building a staple wardrobe should be a priority we all have, and luckily it’s definitely possible over time, even if you’re buying much better quality second hand.
Perhaps you choose a couple of great quality little black dresses that you can dress up or down for lots of different occasions, or spend more money on a good quality white shirt. You should also try to extend this to other areas of your life, for example buying solid gold earrings instead of multiple pairs of cheaper ones that don’t last, or better quality bedding that you’ll have for years instead of needing to replace every year or so. Aim for things that don’t follow trends but you know have been fashionable for a long time and will continue to be.
Hand Wash Delicate Items
Washing machines can be harsh on delicate clothes especially, so if you think this is the case with any of your items, then you should hand wash. To hand wash your clothes, simply gill your sink with lukewarm water and add a gentle detergent. Turn your clothes inside out and add them to the detergent mixture, then move your clothes around to make sure that they’ve been washed. Rinse very well, squeeze out and hang to dry outside! Start by reading the care label on your clothes, and if it says wash by hand, make sure you do so. Some clothes are more prone to damage or shrinkage than others, such as silk, wool, chiffon, lace or sparkly materials, so hand washing these would be worth it.
Use More Gentle Washing Detergents
Many of the mainstream washing detergents contain harmful chemicals that can not only irritate our skin, but cause damage to our clothes over time, too. When washing detergents contain more natural ingredients, they are more gentle on the fibres in our fabrics, so fading or damage over time is much less likely. Plus, they still clean very effectively, they’re eco-friendly and they’re safer for children and pets. So, this simple swap has a whole host of benefits, including helping to prolong the life of your wardrobe.
Learn To Sew
We know this one isn’t quite so simple as our other suggestions, however learning to sew is a fantastic way for you to prolong the life of your wardrobe. How often have you gotten rid of something because it’s slightly too big, it has a small tear or it doesn’t quite fit properly where you want it to. We’re guilty of it too, however when you can do even the most basic repairs, it can seriously help to transform your mindset.
So, get yourself a simple sewing kit and watch some YouTube videos to start practising. Go with things like replacing buttons or sewing small holes first, then you can gradually work your way up as you get more confident. Eventually, you could even start buying clothes you really like in charity shops but aren’t your size and getting them to fit perfectly, or adding your own style with things like embroidery. You could also make personalised gifts for friends which is a lovely thing to do. This is such a great skill to learn and once you know how to do it, the possibilities are endless!