Clothing simply isn’t made how it once was. With fast fashion creating poorly made clothing in huge numbers, all of your old clothing will result in a landfill. Many are looking at ways in which they can keep their old clothing and look after it so that they can wear them for longer. One way in which you can help to reduce landfill dumping is by following a more sustainable lifestyle and opting for more of a capsule wardrobe.
This contains quality clothing made from sustainable materials or quality materials that will last. Yes, you will have less clothing, but you will wear them more and they will last much longer. This can be daunting for some due to them worrying about having less clothing and the fact that their clothes will diminish faster due to wearing them more frequently, this isn’t the case if you look after them. In this article, we will go through some of the top tips for caring for your clothes.
Know Your Fabrics
To properly look after your clothes, you are going to need to understand a few basics when it comes to fabrics. Know your materials, how to clean them and also how to care for them properly. You can’t expect your clothes to remain in pristine condition if you haven’t even looked at how to care for materials. New and more sustainable materials are being created every year, from Organic cotton and plant-based leathers to TENCEL and Pinatex. With these new materials, many are damaging them before they can even wear them which is why checking how to care for these new materials is essential for lasting clothing.
To fully care for your clothing, it is important to grasp what materials you have, the types of detergent best for them and the method of washing them. For example, if you are buying a piece from a premium brand such as Gods Gift that is made from quality materials, you are not going to want this damaged any time soon, so by following the label, you will ensure that your clothes stay the same fit and colour for longer. If you get these right, you’re going to find it much easier to care for your clothes and help them last much longer.
Use Less Heat
Temperature is a huge contributor to how long your clothes last and how they look. Not only does washing your clothing on hot use up to 75% more energy than using cold water, but it also increases the chance of your clothes getting damaged or fading due to the dyes and fibres breaking down. So when you wash your clothes in cold, it is helping you to extend the life of your clothes as well as helping you to save energy. If you only use hot washes because you have to disinfect your clothing, opt for using white vinegar and tea tree oil can do the same job.
Another way that you can help to care for your clothes is by washing your clothes less often. A big contributor to your clothe’s damage is through washing them too much. Alternatively, you can use clothing fabric sprays that remove bad odours and help to keep your clothing fibres intact.
Pre-treat Stains
Stains can be the cause of the end life of your favourite item of clothing, so it is essential how to deal with stains. The first thing you should be doing is pre-treat your stains with a simple solution of warm water and 1 tsp of detergent. If you are hand washing, use powder, if using a machine, use the liquid. But apply the solution to the stain then rub it together and let it rest for up to 10 minutes. Once complete, wash your clothes as normal. If you are using the liquid, apply 3-4 drops of liquid, rub into the stain and soak for 45 minutes. Once you have soaked, wash as normal.
Dry Responsibly
Many people often forget the drying process and believe that it is okay to put everything in the tumble dryer. Newsflash, still produces heat, so it damages the fibres. This will damage your clothes, and pending on the material, it will often shrink your clothes. This in turn makes it very difficult to get back to the state it first was. To keep your clothes remaining fresh, dry your clothes on a rack as this will help to extend the life of your clothes also. If you have any delicate materials or coloured materials, hang them inside out so that the sun doesn’t damage them.
Fix Your Clothing
Fixing your clothing is a lost art and it needs to come back. More people than ever simply throw their damaged clothing in the bin once they are done with it, but the truth is there are many more years left in that piece, you simply need to fix it and restore it. By modifying your old pieces, you are not only saving money, but it allows you to have some creative flare with the item. There are many ways you can modify damaged clothing to restore them, you just need to find what is best for you. For example, if you have a rip in your jeans, make it larger for a pair of ripped jeans. Especially with Kanye and his whole clothing.
Store Your Clothing Correctly
Have you ever opened your wardrobe and smelt a funny smell, or have found damp or moth holes in your clothes? There is one reason for this. You are not storing your clothes properly. For your clothing to have the best life and last longer, you need to keep your clothing aerated by having space between your hangers. Your draws also need to be planned out and not stuffed to the brim. Another way that you can look after your clothes is by having a capsule wardrobe. Once the new season is here, clean and put away your old season clothes for the new season. Vacuum seal bags work great for this.
There is a growing concern about the increased use of fast fashion and how it is damaging our ecosystems. One way that you can help this is to look after your existing clothing and buy better materials, and more sustainable brands. Clean your clothes by label and hanging your clothes to dry for a fresher smell.
