Over the years I’ve tried many things to keep my clothes looking new as long as possible and there are a few tips and tricks I’ve learned that have saved many a pair of jeans and sweaters over the past few years. Now, I’m sharing those tips with you.
- Stop washing your jeans. When a pair of jeans is made, they’re expertly washed and treated to have that exact look and feel that made you fall in love with them and buy them in the first place, so don’t try and wash all of that away. Your best friend for taking care of your jeans is your freezer. I know that sounds totally weird, but trust me, it’s the best thing you can do to keep them look their best. Wear them several times, and instead of washing, place them in a zip top bag, suck the air out and place them in the freezer overnight. The cold kills any bacteria or odor and you keep the color of your denim. You should still wash them normally in your washing machine but do this sparingly (the pair I wear the most sees the washer machine maybe every 10-12 wears or when they’ve stretched out too much.) Turn your jeans inside out and wash on the delicate or hand wash cycle. I only ever use the dryer if they’re really stretched out and will put them in for 10-15 minutes and then let them air dry the rest of the way.
- Get a steamer. A lot of my silk blouses might only be worn for a few hours at a dinner, but often times when I come home the sleeves are wrinkled or if I don’t hang it up right away, the entire garment is wrinkled. Give it a refresh with a steamer, it will feel as though it just got back from the dry cleaner without the expense and harsh chemicals. My blouses really only see the dry cleaner when there’s a stain I can’t get out myself or it’s been worn a few times.
- Wash more at home. Some garments say dry clean only but can really be washed at home if you know how. Check the fabric content and do a quick web search to see best practices. For example, many of my silky blouses get a hand wash at home with gentle detergent in cold water. From here they’re hung to dry (or sometimes I use a white towel, lay the garment on top and hold the towel on top of the garment once to pat out some of the water before hanging it dry.)
- Air dry is your best friend. Our dryer is used really just for sheets and towels, my clothes rarely see inside of it and instead I turn our apartment into a drying rack. Eric always jokes that I’m afraid of the dryer, but after many ruined and shrunk Rag and Bone t-shirts, I never take the risk. Dryers are harsh and the fluctuating temperatures mean that they can change the fibers on your clothes and often beyond repair. They eat away at the life of your clothes. Everything from undergarments to jeans to workout clothes and blouses are all hung to dry.
- Don’t be afraid to wear pieces a few times before washing them. Most of us shower and then dress, maybe wear something for a few hours in the evening and then change out of it. Instead of tossing it into the laundry bin ask yourself if the garment is actually dirty or if it is good to be worn a few more times. The exception here is gym clothes, once it’s sweaty and gross, WASH! Make sure you have a good detergent for gym clothes so you truly get all of the stink out in one wash.
Treat your clothes with care and they will thank you for it later. Invest in good pieces that are well made instead of flushing your money down when a piece falls apart. Any questions? Email me using the contact form in the menu bar.
