Of course, some clothes are more likely than others to age poorly. However, unusual wear and tear on clothes can also be caused by poor maintenance or habits that damage them over time. This can then cause fabric distortion, color bleeding and other signs of damage. To keep your clothes in good condition for much longer, find out how to simply change your habits.
Mistake 1: Not looking at quality
When you want clothes to last, choosing them well is essential! We hear a lot that fast fashion offers low prices without the quality necessarily following. However, the most expensive clothes are not always of better quality. Also, whatever your budget, always take the time to carefully inspect the clothes before checking out. Gauge the quality of the fabric (transparent, easy to deform, etc.) and take a look at the finishes. If the seams don’t look strong, the threads are fraying, or the hem seems to be coming undone, move on.
Mistake 2: Using the wrong products
Even if perfume lasts better on clothes, it can tend to weaken the fibers of your clothes and fade over timein particular because of its alcohol composition. This is why it is better to put on perfume and apply your deodorant before getting dressed. When it comes to laundry, also make the right choices. If powder detergent will better preserve white fabrics, liquid detergent will be more suitable for colors and dark fabrics, especially since it works better at low temperatures. Gold, the less hot you wash, the better you protect your laundry from wear and tear. Let’s remember in passing that you must avoid using too much detergent, both to preserve your budget, your machine and your wardrobe.
Mistake 4: Filling your washing machine incorrectly
Above all, always consult the label of a garment before putting it in the wash. Some parts can only be washed by hand or at low temperature. Follow these instructions to keep your clothes lasting longer. Also remember to always sort the laundry well and if possible wash delicate laundry separately with a gentler wash cycle. This way, it will not be damaged by the rest of the laundry and too hot temperatures. Otherwise, you can protect it in a special net. In any case, for knitwear, underwear and other fragile items in your wardrobe, ban the dryer. Prefer to dry them gently in a towel before hanging them out.
Mistake 3: Overfilling your machine
Avoid overloading the washing machine even though it may be tempting to take advantage of each wash to wash as many things as possible. The linen may in fact be less well washed and wear out too much due to friction. Also, don’t fill the washing machine more than two-thirds full. How do you know if it’s good? Make sure to be able to pass a hand between the pile of laundry and the top of the drum.
Mistake 5: Improperly preparing your clothes for washing
Before putting a garment in the machine, always take care to apply any stain remover to stubborn stains, the ideal being to treat the stain as soon as it appears so that it does not have time to dry. To do this, white vinegar, baking soda, black soap, Marseille soap or even lemon juice can work wonders. If this stain removal and pre-washing is so important, it is because the heat from the machine may tend to set certain stains. They then become impossible to remove and the garment is ruined! And let’s not even talk about the dryer which will bake the stains on the spot.
Also think about:
–Put the laundry inside out to prevent colors from bleeding during washing and drying;
-Close the zippers to prevent the zippers from rubbing the rest of the laundry;
-And unbutton the buttons.
Mistake 6: Not distrusting the Sun and the Moon
The Sun whitens white linen, but fades the pigments of colored or black clothing. As for the Moon or more precisely the dew, there is a risk of seeing one’s clothes discolor! Indeed, a photochemical reaction naturally produces hydrogen peroxide (or hydrogen peroxide) which dissolves in the water of morning dew drops. Result: the Moon can help you whiten your laundry, but is not a friend of colored laundry.
Mistake 7: Storing clothes incorrectly
A tidy and organized wardrobe extends the life of your clothes. Certain clothes cannot in fact not be stored in any manner. It is therefore advisable to hang the pieces which must not be creased. This is the case for:
-Blouses. Fasten the first button to keep their shape and ensure that the collar will maintain a good fit.
-City pants to fold in half on a hanger to limit ironing.
-Globally, anything that cannot or should not be ironed too much : linen pieces, etc.
-Coats, jackets and blazers which will take up less space.
-Chic dresses to hang with the cords inside.
On the other hand, prefer to fold knitted fabrics. You can fold them in half towards the back to limit fold marks on the front. If you want to hang them, you must proceed as here to avoid deformation. In any case, ban iron hangers that distort laundry.
Mistake 8: Neglecting machine washing
Poorly maintained, the washing machine will less effective. In addition, over time it risks leave bad odors on the laundry. It will then be necessary to rewash the clothes which will then wear out more easily. So remember to run an empty cycle from time to time with a good dose of white vinegar to keep the machine clean and impeccable in use. Finally, don’t forget to leave the machine open as well as the detergent drawer after each wash to avoid odors and mold.
Mistake 9: Mistreating your swimsuit
Never wash it in the washing machine at the risk of seeing it wash out and become completely deformed. To keep it in good condition, you can possibly soak it in a bath of water containing bicarbonate. This will remove odors and traces of chlorine in the fibers. Then wash by hand with a few drops of detergent. To finish, do not wring it or hang it. Preferably blot it between two towels by dabbing to remove as much water as possible. You will then just have to dry it flat.
Mistake 10: Not washing your clothes out of season before putting them away
Be careful if you are in the habit of storing worn and scented clothes! There is sweat, dirt, alcohol and microbes which can attract various moths and mites, promote unpleasant odors, but also harm their durability. When the season changes, remember to give them a good cleaning. And that goes for shoes too!