One of the largest expenses for living for most people besides a roof over your head and food on your table is clothing. If you have kids, this can be even more of an expense. You can make your clothing last longer by taking care of it properly. Here are some tips for doing just that.
Tips for Making Your Clothing Last Longer
Store them properly. This means not just tossing them on the floor or throwing them haphazardly in a drawer. In most cases, hanging is the best way to make sure your clothing stays in good shape.
Rotate them for seasons and stow them away for next time properly. Using space-saving bags is a great way to make sure they stay in fresh conditions. It will protect them from mold and mildew as well as keep them from bugs.
When it comes to hanging, don’t shove the hangers into the neckline. Instead, bring them up through the bottom of the shirt. This keeps you from stretching out the neckline. For pants, buy hangers that are made for them. They will help your pants hold shape and stay on better. Additionally, don’t use wire hangers. Wooden ones are much better quality and keep your clothes in good shape. If you can’t afford wooden hangers, buy well made plastic hangers.
Fix them to proper lengths. If you are shorter in stature, for instance, you know that your pants can get pretty beaten up on the bottoms if they are constantly dragging on the ground. Either shop in the petite section of the store or have them hemmed as soon as you get them.
Treat stains right away. The longer a stain has to set in, the harder it will be to remove. It only takes a little bit of cool water and mild hand soap to remove most stains if treated as soon as they happen.
Avoid dry cleaning. No matter what place you go to get your clothing dry-cleaned, it is harsh on clothing and breaks down the fibers faster. If it truly does not need to be dry-cleaned, skip it.
Hand wash your delicates. There are all sorts of contraptions you can places bras and other delicates in for the washing machine, but the truth is, washing them by hand will not only make the fabric last longer, but will also keep the clasps in perfect shape.
Line dry when you can. Using the high heat of the dryer may dry clothes fast, but it is very harsh on them as well, especially certain fabrics. If the weather is nice, hang your clothes out to dry. If it isn’t at least do smaller loads on the lower setting.
Use vinegar in your washer. It is wonderful for removing odors, stains and for keeping clothing bright and colorfast. The best part is it’s cheap and not one more chemical you add to them. Using a ½ cup per load is usually all that is needed.
Invest in some really nice pieces. You will save more money in the long run if you pick out a couple of high quality articles of clothing for your wardrobe. For instance, if you wear jeans all the time, buying better quality jeans, even if they are a little more expensive, will be the best for your budget because they will hold their shape and be less likely to wear out as fast.
Speaking of jeans, do you feel like you toss them in the garbage all the time once they are won out in the inner thigh area or when your kids blow out the knees of theirs? Stop throwing them away! Jeans can be fixed at a textiles place for about 5-7 dollars a pair. You will get twice the life out of them for this price!
Amee says
great tips!
Carrie Loper says
I’m going to have to try the vinegar for my laundry… especially the boys clothes. 🙂
Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living says
Thanks for the tip – I am guilty of ruining clothes in the dryer!
Jennie says
I guess this means that I better get to folding all the clothes laying all over my bedroom, huh? 🙂 Great tips!
Heather Hernandez says
The more laundry I do – the more of my clothes get categorized as “Delicates” which I wash separately on Gentle and line dry. I really think the dryer causes most of my shrinkage and fading issues with my clothes!