In a world where fast fashion has made clothing disposable, it’s time to shift our focus. Here are some of my top clothing care tips.
Extending the life of your clothing is not just about saving money. It’s about embracing a more eco-conscious lifestyle. It’s also about respecting the resources that go into each item. There are numerous ways to ensure your favorite pieces stand the test of time. Start from the gentle art of washing. Then move to the mindful practice of mending. Join us as we explore practical clothing care tips and tricks. These tips will help you keep your wardrobe looking fresh and vibrant for years to come. Whether you’re a thrifty fashionista, or a sustainability advocate, these clothing care tips are your first step. Start your journey towards a more responsible and stylish future.
Table of contents
Washing and Drying Clothing Care Tips
Laundering is the roughest part of clothing care. Each cycle subjects the clothes to agitation and chemicals (your detergent, softener, stain remover, etc). This stresses the fibers, leading to fading, stretching, and general wear. The chemicals, along with hot water, can also cause colors to fade. This process is the easiest to alter. You can extend the life of your wardrobe by doing so. I have A LOT of suggestions…
Wash Less Often
Breaking News: You don’t have to wash your clothes after each wear. It depends on the item, obviously underwear and socks should be washed after every use. But everything else varies. Personally, I do about 2-4 wears. Jeans and sweaters are the easiest to extend wears. Some brands even suggest only spot cleaning your denim and sweaters.
Clothes Care Tip
For when you need to disinfect denim and sweaters, you can put them in the freezer. Another option is to put them out in the sun. Do not leave in the sun for too long. The sun acts as a natural bleach. It will fade color and can be tough on the fibers.
Really, if your clothes aren’t smelly or visibly dirty, it’s advisable to postpone washing them until necessary. This practice not only conserves electricity, water, and detergent but also benefits you. It’s a win-win situation!
Avoid temptation and don’t over fill the washer. Clothes need space to move to allow enough water and detergent to penetrate and clean the fibers. With more space, use less detergent.
Stain Removal
Remove stains immediately! This is an important step in clothing care. Some easy stain removal tips include:
- Don’t let the stain dry. Stains are harder to remove, the longer they sit.
- Use cold water, hot may cause stain to set in. Hot water can also cause the color to bleed or fade.
- Follow stain remover/stick instructions.
Always check the clothing care label on your fabric before attempting to remove the stain. Test any cleaning solution on a small, inconspicuous area first. This ensures it doesn’t damage the fabric. Now, some stains require more specialized techniques. They are:
10 Tips to How to Take Care of Clothes: Wine Stains
- Blot the Stain: Start by blotting the wine stain with a clean cloth. Use a paper towel to absorb as much of the wine as possible. Do not rub the stain, as this can cause it to spread.
- Salt: Cover the wine stain with a generous amount of table salt. The salt will help to absorb the wine and lift the stain from the fabric. Let it sit for a while before brushing or vacuuming off the salt.
- Club Soda: Pour club soda directly onto the wine stain and blot with a clean cloth. The carbonation in the club soda can help lift the stain from the fabric.
- White Vinegar and Dish Soap: Mix equal parts white vinegar and dish soap. Apply the solution to the wine stain. Let it sit for a few minutes, then blot with a clean cloth and rinse with cold water.
- Hydrogen Peroxide: For white or color-safe fabrics, you can try using hydrogen peroxide to remove wine stains. Apply the hydrogen peroxide to the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, and then rinse with cold water.
- Commercial Stain Removers: There are many commercial stain removers designed specifically for wine stains. Follow the instructions on the product carefully.
- Enzyme-based Cleaners: Enzyme-based cleaners can also be effective in breaking down the proteins in wine stains. Apply the cleaner according to the instructions and let it sit before washing.
Clothes Care Tips:
Act Fast: treat the stain as quickly as possible.
Clothes Care Tips:
Cold Water Rinse: Flush the stain with cold water.
Clothes Care Tips:
Air Dry: Avoid the dryer until stain is completely removed, the heat can set the stain.
10 Tips to How to Take Care of Clothes: Blood Stains
- Cold Water: If the blood stain is fresh, rinse the fabric under cold, running water as soon as possible. This can help to remove most of the stain before it sets.
- Hydrogen Peroxide: Apply hydrogen peroxide directly to the blood stain and let it sit for a few minutes. Blot the stain with a clean cloth, and then rinse with cold water.
- Salt Paste: Make a paste using salt and water and apply it to the blood stain. Let it sit for a while before rinsing with cold water.
- Ammonia: Mix one part of ammonia with two parts of water and apply it to the blood stain. Blot with a clean cloth and rinse thoroughly.
- Commercial Stain Removers: There are many commercial stain removers available that are specifically designed to remove blood stains. Follow the instructions on the product carefully.
- Enzyme-based Cleaners: Enzyme-based cleaners are effective for breaking down protein-based stains like blood. Apply the cleaner according to the instructions and let it sit for some time before washing.
- White Vinegar: Mix white vinegar with water and apply it to the blood stain. Let it sit for a while before rinsing with cold water.
Clothes Care Tips:
Act Fast: treat the stain as quickly as possible.
Clothes Care Tips:
Soak: Submerge stained fabric in cold water for 30 minutes.
Clothes Care Tips:
Air Dry: Avoid the dryer until stain is completely removed, the heat can set the stain.
5 Tips to How to Take Care of Clothes: Coffee Stains
- Blot the Stain: Use a clean, dry cloth to blot up as much of the coffee as possible.
- Pre-Treat the Stain: Mix a solution of 1-quart lukewarm water, 1/2 teaspoon liquid dishwashing detergent, and 1 tablespoon white vinegar. Soak the stained clothing in the solution for 15 minutes.
- Rinse and Assess: Rinse the stained area with cold water. If the stain persists, apply a sponge and rubbing alcohol to remove any remaining stain.
- Wash as Normal: Launder the clothing item according to the care label instructions. Air dry the garment to ensure the stain is completely removed before tumble drying.
- For set-in stains, you might need to use an enzyme presoak product or a specialized coffee stain remover.
Remember, it’s important not to dry the clothing in a machine. Wait until the stain is fully removed. Heat can set the stain permanently.
10 Tips to How to Take Care of Clothes: Grease Stains
- Dish Soap: Dish soap is effective in breaking down grease stains. Apply a small amount of dish soap directly to the grease stain. Gently rub it in. Let it sit for a few minutes. Then, rinse the fabric with warm water.
- Cornstarch or Talcum Powder: Sprinkle cornstarch or talcum powder onto the grease stain. Let it sit for a few hours or overnight. The powder will help absorb the grease. Brush off the powder and then wash the fabric as usual.
- Vinegar: Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water and apply the solution to the grease stain. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse with warm water.
- Baking Soda: Make a paste using baking soda and water and apply it to the grease stain. Gently rub the paste into the fabric and let it sit for a while before rinsing with warm water.
- WD-40: WD-40 can be effective in removing grease stains from fabrics. Spray a small amount of WD-40 onto the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes. Then wash the fabric as usual.
- Lemon Juice: Apply lemon juice directly to the grease stain and let it sit for a few minutes. Rinse with warm water and then wash the fabric.
- Commercial Stain Removers: There are many commercial stain removers available that are specifically designed to remove grease stains. Follow the instructions on the product for best results.
Clothes Care Tips:
Act Fast: treat the stain as quickly as possible.
Clothes Care Tips:
Blot Excess: Use a clean cloth or paper towel to absorb the excess grease, avoid rubbing!
Clothes Care Tips:
Chalk It Up: Rub white chalk on the stain to absorb the grease. Let it sit for a few hours, then brush off.
10 Tips to How to Take Care of Clothes: Tomato Stains
- Cold Water Rinse: For fresh tomato stains, immediately rinse the fabric under cold water. This helps flush out as much of the tomato juice as possible.
- Vinegar Solution: Mix one-part white vinegar with two parts water and apply the solution to the tomato stain. Let it sit for a few minutes, then blot with a clean cloth. Rinse with cold water.
- Liquid Dish Soap: Apply a small amount of the soap directly to the tomato stain. Gently rub it in. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse with cold water.
- Baking Soda Paste: Make a paste using baking soda and water and apply it to the tomato stain. Gently scrub the paste into the fabric and let it sit for a while before rinsing with cold water.
- Lemon Juice: Lemon juice can help break down tomato stains. Apply lemon juice directly to the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse with cold water.
- Enzyme-based Cleaner: Enzyme-based cleaners are effective for breaking down organic stains like tomato. Apply the cleaner according to the instructions and let it sit before washing.
- Commercial Stain Removers: There are commercial stain removers available that are specifically formulated to tackle food stains like tomato. Follow the instructions on the product for best results.
Clothes Care Tips:
Act Fast: treat the stain as quickly as possible.
Clothes Care Tips:
Scrape of Excess: Gently remove any solids with a spoon or dull knife.
Clothes Care Tips:
Air Dry: Avoid the dryer until stain is completely removed, the heat can set the stain.
Follow Clothing Care Instructions
Most clothes will have a little tab with care instructions somewhere along the seam of the collar, side or waist. Reading a clothing care tag is important to ensure that you properly care for your garments. Care tags typically provide information about how to wash, dry, iron, and bleach the clothing item.
Here’s How to Read that Label
Clothing care tags often use symbols to convey care instructions. These symbols are standardized and can typically be found on the tag. Common symbols include those for washing, drying, ironing, and bleaching.
Decipher the Washing Instructions
Machine wash: If the tag has a symbol of a tub with water, it means the item can be machine washed. The symbol of a tub with water indicates machine wash is allowed. If there are lines below the tub, that tells you if the washer needs to be on a special wash cycle. These cycles include permanent press or delicate. The number or dots inside the tub indicates the maximum water temperature to use.
Hand wash: If the tag has a symbol of a hand in a tub of water, it means the item should be hand washed. The symbol is a hand in a tub of water.
Do not wash: This means dry clean only.
Clothes Care Tip
Use a delicate laundry bag for bras, underwear, tights and other easily snagged items.
Understand Drying Instructions
Tumble dry: A symbol of a circle in a square indicates that the item can be tumble dried. Dots inside the circle represent the heat setting.
Line dry: A symbol of a curved line indicates that the item should be line dried
Check Ironing Instructions
Iron: A symbol of an iron indicates that the item can be ironed. The number of dots inside the iron indicates the heat setting. Most irons bought today also have settings marked by the type of material being ironed.
To iron effectively, use the recommended temperature settings for the best results, especially when the fabric is slightly damp. Keep in mind that some materials cannot be ironed, but those items can usually be steamed.
Bleaching Instructions
Bleach: A triangle symbol indicates whether bleach can be used on the item. If there are lines inside the triangle, it indicates the type of bleach to use. Bleach is hard on clothing fibers, so try to keep this to a minimum.
Other Instructions
Some care tags may have additional symbols or text for specific care instructions. These include dry cleaning, using fabric softeners, or not wringing the item.
This should cover washing with like colors, cashmere and wool fabrics need be washed using gentle cycle then air-dry flat. Same with silks and stains.
Drying
Air dry when possible. Just remember not to leave out longer than necessary. The sun can act like a natural bleach and weaken the material. Avoid leaving the clothes out when it is raining or snowing as it adds extra wear. Air drying is yet another way to reduce your electricity usage.
If hanging items outside, you can technically line dry year-round. Yes, even those of us who live in colder climates. It’s called freeze drying, I won’t get into how it works, just that there is a scientific explanation. Some clothes care tips for freeze drying are to hang the clothes as early as possible. Doing this allows for the longest time in the sun. Leave extra space between clothes to allow for air flow.
10 Tips to How to Take Care of Clothes: Store Your Clothes Properly
Proper storage is crucial for maintaining the integrity and appearance of your clothing. Store clothes in a clean, dry, cool place. This prevents fading, moths and mold. It ensures that they stay in good condition for a long time.
Clothing Storage Care
Each type of garment benefits from a specific storage method to prevent damage and extend its life. For instance, sweaters are best kept folded to preserve their shape. This prevents stretching or distortion that can occur from hanging. On the other hand, items that are prone to wrinkling should be hung up. Clothes that maintain their shape better on hangers, such as shirts and dresses, should also be hung up.
When hanging clothes, opt for wooden or velvet-covered hangers. Wooden hangers provide sturdy support for heavier items. The velvet covering on hangers prevents slipping. It also helps maintain the shape of delicate fabrics. By investing a little time and thought into how you store your clothing, you can maintain your wardrobe. It will stay in excellent condition for years to come.
Using canvas garment bags for storage is an excellent way to protect your special attire. Examples include evening dresses and suits. Canvas is a breathable material. It can prevent moisture buildup. This is crucial for maintaining the fabric’s integrity and preventing mold or mildew. These bags also shield your garments from dust, light, and pests, all of which can cause damage over time.
For items that are not frequently worn, such as formal wear or seasonal suits, use canvas garment bags. They offer a protective environment. They can help preserve the clothing’s pristine condition. Additionally, they are a more sustainable option compared to plastic garment bags, aligning with eco-friendly practices. Invest in quality garment storage. This way, you ensure that your cherished pieces remain in excellent shape. They will be ready for your next special occasion.
Shoe Storage Care
Storing your shoes properly is essential to maintain their condition and extend their lifespan. Begin by inserting shoe trees into your shoes right after wearing them. This helps retain their shape and absorb moisture. It is especially useful for short-term storage. For a more extended period, consider using wooden shoehorns.
Before storing your shoes, make sure they are clean to remove any dirt or residues that could cause long-term damage. For additional shape preservation, especially for softer shoes, stuff them with acid-free paper. This will also help to absorb any leftover moisture. If you’re storing boots, use acid-free cardboard inserts to keep them upright and prevent creasing. Store your shoes in their original boxes or clear plastic containers. This will protect them from dust and light. Dust and light can degrade the materials over time. By following these steps, your shoes will remain comfortable and presentable for many occasions to come.
Consider Tailoring
Tailoring is a powerful tool that can significantly extend the lifespan of your clothing. Tailors can restore your garments to a wearable condition. They do this by repairing wear and tear, such as mending tears or fixing zippers. Additionally, tailoring allows for adjustments in fit. This is particularly useful if your body size changes. It means you won’t need to purchase new items as frequently.
Tailors can also update the style of older pieces. They modernize older pieces by altering their cut or adding new details. This keeps them relevant and extends their life in your wardrobe. They can reinforce areas prone to stress, like seams and closures, to prevent future damage.
Moreover, tailored clothing tends to be more comfortable, encouraging you to wear it more often and keep it for longer. In essence, investing in tailoring services provides you with better-fitting clothes. Additionally, it promotes a sustainable fashion cycle by minimizing waste.
Community
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