When it comes to fast fashion and how we shop, we’re all trying to find ways to be more environmentally friendly. Many firms now use materials and innovative ethical manufacturing techniques to make the clothing we buy more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Making the clothes we currently own and love last longer, though, is one of the simplest and most affordable methods to shift your purchasing habits and build a sustainable wardrobe. We certainly won’t blame you if, like us, you theatrically lament the powerful garments that have perished when your favorite shirts begin to sag, your winter coats wobble under the sleeves, or they get that weird scent from being kept in storage for too long.
We occasionally need to show our quality clothes a little extra love, whether it’s through proper clothing washing, prompt stain removal, or shoddy storage practices (honestly, some days more clothes end up on the bedroom floor than on wooden hangers).
We can give our wardrobes new life without getting rid of our favorite cherished items, stay true to our eco-conscious selves, and do it all while saving money if we heed these helpful tips, which also include a few cheeky hacks to learn and share.
The Complete Laundry Tips for Extending The Life Of Your Clothes
Making garments live longer is the first step for Lux laundry customers toward an ethical and sustainable wardrobe. In addition to saving us time and money, it also lowers our consumption and lessens our carbon footprint.
We have so many options for maintaining the newness and beauty of our prized possessions. With our comprehensive guide on extending the life of your clothing, adopt these healthy behaviors.
Examine, Address, and Reinspect Stains
Stains do occur, therefore, before washing an item of clothing, it is a good idea to check for any stains that could need special attention. If you can’t treat the stain right away, mark the area with a large safety pin or clothespin so you’ll remember to do it before washing.
Laundry Stains A to Z provides detailed step-by-step directions for individual stain removal. Also, remember to examine the discolored area again after washing. Repeat the procedure if the problem persists. If the stain is cured at high temperatures, it will be considerably more difficult to remove.
Invest in a stain removal pen or wipe.
The first guideline for stain treatment is to act as fast as you can. The most recent developments in stain removal convenience are the stain removal pen and wipes. Pay close attention to the directions, and make sure you follow up after you get home. The stain removal pens are fantastic, but they’re not magic, always ensure you carry a stain removal pen along; you still need to wash the clothing to keep it from becoming ruined.
Think twice about washing
Only wash your clothes as required (many items can be worn multiple times before they need to be washed). The lifespan of a garment is shortened with each wash. Overwashing garments will result in reduced wear and tear.
Avoid using too much detergent and fabric conditioner
Almost everyone is guilty of adding too much fabric softener or detergent to a load of laundry. Not always using more detergent results in better cleaning. The surplus detergent returns to the fabric, dulling and stiffening the finish.
Use 1/2 cup baking soda as a detergent booster and half the regular quantity of detergent to start. Your clothes will come out just as clean, and you’ll save money, which will astound you. Add a little extra detergent the following time if you’re not happy.
Quality clothes can last longer when treated with commercial fabric conditioners or softeners. They function by lubricant-coating the fibers, which results in softer-feeling textiles. Additionally, the lubricants make fibers flow past one another more readily, softening the feel of the fabric and enhancing stain resistance, wear resistance, and static cling resistance. For the best results, abide by the recommendations and avoid overdosing.
laundry is always sorted
Your garments practically dance with each other as they move about in the laundry when you toss them in. Would you want your delicate nylon blouse to flutter so near a rough metal jacket zipper? Most likely not.
When you choose the proper drying temperature and properly separate your clothes, one kind of fabric won’t be “cooked” while others are still relatively moist when it’s time to use the dryer.
Examine the fabric care labels.
You must read the care labels on garments unless you are an expert launderer with plenty of expertise. Believe it if it says to wash in cold water. Believe the label if it says “dry clean only,” especially if the item is brand new.
You will discover with a practice that several things marked “hand wash” may be washed in a washer on a mild cycle. Alternatively, some unstructured clothing, such as knits and sweaters, can be hand-washed rather than dry-cleaned.
If unsure, however, follow the care label or see a professional.
Use bleach with caution
If chlorine bleach is applied excessively, it will harm any fabric, including white cotton. Learn how to use chlorine bleach safely and always dilute it.
When bleach drops from an automated dispenser, accidentally splash on clothes or come into contact with another item while in the wash, bleach stains can result. Exercise utmost caution to prevent these issues, especially if you share a laundry room with others.
Try not to wash regularly to make your clothes last.
You must routinely wash your clothing, right? Wrong! Although I understand that no one likes to smell, washing your clothes too frequently is unhealthy for them and will inevitably cause fading, stretch elasticized goods, and begin to break down the fabric’s fibers. In other words, don’t wash your clothing every day because doing so will wear them out and cause them to fade much more quickly. How many wears are permitted before cleaning your clothes? The good ol’ smell test is the most reliable. Wash it if it seems or smells filthy. You can probably wear something at least three times, except socks, underwear, and athletic attire. This can be significantly greater for clothing like jackets, sweaters, or pants.
Don’t Fill the Washer Too Much
Although it can seem like the quickest method to finish more laundry, packing the washer full of garments is bad for your clothes. First of all, they don’t get as clean, and secondly, they rub against one another so much that the finish of your garments suffers.
For delicates, use a mesh bag.
Mesh laundry bag containing delicate items and undergarments
Leticia Almeida’s “The Spruce”
When washing delicate clothing, such as lingerie, a mesh laundry bag might be your greatest friend. Socks and infant things that are so small they seem to vanish are also great candidates. You’ll always be able to locate the matching pairs if you put all the parts in little bit in a single bag.
Put away appropriately
Proper storage may significantly improve the lifespan of clothing. “To avoid damaging dampness, sunshine, and heat, store all of your clothing in a cool, air-dry place. Before storing your clothing, make sure it is clean since surface grit and filth might attract damaging clothes moths. To further protect your knitwear from clothing moths, try keeping it with lavender or mothballs. It’s crucial to keep your closet from becoming overstuffed since clothing needs breathing room. By doing so, you’ll also avoid color fading and wrinkles caused by clothing rubbing against one another.
Use wooden or wire hangers while hanging clothes to further prevent clothing from deforming.
What causes clothing to fade in the wash?
Clothing may fade over time, which is understandable when you think about the physics of the washing machine. Clothing is agitated for around 30 minutes when washing, rinsing and spinning in a standard wash cycle. This abrasion can cause fibers to break down and produce pilling which throughout the garment’s lifespan, makes it appear more faded. In addition, chlorine in the wash water can harm colors that are sensitive to it and cause colored clothing to fade over time.
Limit the use of dry cleaning
Due to the additional work required to clean the item, one in three buyers chooses not to purchase a garment that is labeled as “dry clean only.” However, the majority of sensitive products with this designation can be cleaned on moderate, cooler temperature cycles (unless the item has details that might become damaged in the washing machine). Cleaning service is a very chemically demanding technique that harms the environment, the fibers of textiles, and the skin of customers. If dry cleaning is the only method available for the item, check for green cleaners who provide non-toxic and “eco-friendly” cleaning services, like Lux laundry.
Five Guidelines to Avoid Clothing Fading
With each wash, your clothing may start to fade. Discover how to maintain the vibrancy of your clothes with these 5 easy steps.
- Obey instructions.
The optimum way to wash each item, including the water temperature, cycle speed (or hand-wash), and more, is specified on the care label. Learn more about how to interpret a care label from a manufacturer.
- Use cold water to wash garments.
Cold water is your best option for helping to preserve a garment’s color, even if the care label specifies warm or hot water. Warm water increases the likelihood that fibers may release dye into the wash water.
- Reverse the clothing
Let your clothing’s interiors suffer as a result of your eagerness to protect the hues you cherish.
- Use fabric conditioner
Your clothing’s fibers are lubricated by Downy Fabric Conditioner. This lessens abrasion, which in turn lessens color loss. For a brighter-looking you, Downy also aids in preventing pilling, which keeps your clothes’ natural hues and fresh appearance.
- Use the soft cycle.
The gentle cycle agitates and spins, well, softly, and is typically used for fragile things. Your clothing will experience substantially less abrasion if you use the soft cycle.
Symptoms that indicate insufficient washing of your clothes
Your clothing will look its best for the longest time possible if you wash them as soon as you are done wearing it. Even though you might wish to wear them again, it is preferable to wash them first. The fibers are preserved and can retain their strength for a considerably longer period when your clothing is kept clean.
Here are 5 indicators that you should wash your clothing more frequently:
OBNOXIOUS ODORS
If you don’t wash your clothing as frequently as you should, it could start to smell bad. This includes bodily scents or a powerful, musty stench that frequently develops when garments are stowed away while still moist or without being sufficiently cleaned.
YOU SUFFER FROM RASHES OR OTHER SKIN ISSUES
Skin problems can arise when oils and other pollutants start to accumulate in your clothing. You may get a rash or experience another type of response, depending on the chemicals present or how acidic the oils that collect in your garments are. Most of the time, keeping your clothes spotless will prevent this from happening. If you get a rash despite often washing your clothes, you may be allergic to the detergent or fabric softener.
YOUR BODY OILS START TO ACCUMULATE
Throughout the day, your body secretes several different oils. The oils might begin to build up on your clothes if you don’t wash them thoroughly or frequently enough. Under the arms or beneath the collar are the areas where most oils place a strong emphasis, therefore the more they build up, the more probable it is that your clothing will start to smell and that stains will start to form.
STAINS Transform AS PERMANENT
If you let stains linger for any amount of time, they may be challenging to get rid of. Your best chance of fully eliminating a stain is to treat it right away. If you decide not to wash the item right away, treat the stain right away and then treat it one more before putting it in the washing. You can minimize stains by routinely washing your clothing. If you mistakenly let a stain sit longer than you should, it will also lessen the likelihood that it will become an issue.
MICROBES AND GERMS DEVELOP ON YOUR CLOTHES
If you don’t wash your clothes frequently enough, germs and microorganisms can build up. You can pick up other people’s germs when you wear your clothing in public. These pathogens can adhere to your clothes. You will eventually pick up more germs as you interact with more people. If you don’t wash your clothes after each use, those germs will accumulate in your house as well.
Conclusion
Clothing items can last longer if they are properly cared for. This has significant effects on the environment. By reducing our use of new apparel, we lower our global landfill waste and carbon footprint associated with the fashion industry. But whether a fashion item is brand-new, used, frequently used, or a particular heirloom, all clothing lasts far longer with some easy, fundamental upkeep. Additionally, it saves money over time as a bonus!
By extending the active life of a piece of clothing by just nine months, you can significantly reduce its environmental impact, and by doubling its useful life from one to two years, you can reduce the emissions of a piece of clothing by 24% over a year. This can help you keep your clothes for longer.
Contact Lux laundry Services in Allentown, Whitehall, Bethlehem, or Northampton, Pennsylvania if you need help caring for your clothing or would simply prefer that someone else handle it. Your clothing will be looked after and each piece will be treated with care. Call us at 4840-523-8906 right away to find out more.
