The fast-fashion industry has increased the accessibility of cheap pieces of clothing, but it also plays a significant role in global pollution levels. Although buying sustainably produced clothes is a more eco-friendly alternative, why not preserve what you already have by knowing how to make clothes last longer?
Buying new clothes every time you find a tear or stain may seem like an easy out, but there are simple actions that you can take to revive your wardrobe. And prolonging the life of your wardrobe is one of the most ethical and sustainable ways to avoid overconsumption – plus it’s great for saving money, too.
Here are 20 top tips and tricks to help you preserve your closet and live a more sustainable and financially-conscious life.
1. Invest in High-Quality Clothes
Purchasing clothes that can bear the wear and tear of everyday life is the first step in building a long-lasting wardrobe. While high-quality clothes can be pricier, they are a worthwhile investment if you’re looking to keep them for the long haul.
We recommend Levi’s and Reformation, both of which prioritize both fashion and sustainability.
2. Wear a Sweat-Proof Undershirt
The best way to beat sweat stains is to stop them before they happen.
A sweat proof undershirt prevents armpit sweat and deodorant stains from appearing on the underarm area of your garments, so you won’t necessarily have to wash or dry clean your shirt after every single wear. Also, yellow stains are notorious for appearing on white shirts quickly, so try wearing a sweat proof shirt any time you wear white shirts or blouses.
Thompson Tee’s patented sweat proof undershirts come highly recommended. They prevent pesky stains and even odor from ruining your clothes. Available in styles for men and women, Thompson Tee undershirts can pair seamlessly with almost any shirt in your wardrobe to help you extend the lifespan of your clothes.
3. Sort Your Laundry
There’s nothing like pulling a clothing item out of the washer only to find that it was stained in the washing process. Separating darks from whites and heavy fabrics from light fabrics is an excellent way to avoid color mixing, extending the lifespan of your clothes.
Pro tip: Washing new clothes on their own before mixing them in with older clothes is a great way to avoid stains – especially if your new clothes are brightly colored.
4. Know Your Materials
Before you launder your clothes, it’s important to know which materials you can (and can’t) wash on specific settings.
You should NOT wash these materials in hot water:
- Polyester
- Cotton
- Nylon
- Vinyl
- Wool
- Silk
Pro tip: Always check care labels to determine whether you should hand wash a piece of clothing before putting it in the washer. If you don’t have the care instructions handy, it’s a good rule of thumb to wash clothes in cold water to avoid fabric damage and fading colors.
5. Buy A Stain Removal Pen
The sooner you address a stain, the easier it will be to remove it. Carrying a stain removal pen when you’re on the go is a surefire way for treating stains before they set. We recommend the Tide To Go Instant Stain Remover.
6. Treat Stains Before You Launder Clothing
If you couldn’t spot-treat a stain when it occurred, a good next step is to treat stains before washing and drying.
There are many pre-wash stain removers on the market, but you can even use common household ingredients like baking soda and white vinegar in a pinch.
Check out our article How to Get Sweat Stains Out of Shirts: Tips and Tricks
7. Use a Mesh Bag for Delicates
Placing your delicate clothing items in a mesh bag before tossing them into the washer protects them from damage. Mesh laundry bags prevent clothes from snagging or rubbing against one another in the wash and preserve delicate fabrics like silk and lace. They’re also great for small items like socks or baby clothes that tend to get lost in the mix.
8. Use Detergent Sparingly
Although the instructions on your detergent may indicate otherwise, it’s a good idea to reduce the amount of detergent you use per wash. Not only is using excessive amounts of detergent harmful to the environment, but it can make your clothes dull and stiff over time.
9. Beware of Bleach
Chlorine bleach can damage any clothing item – even white fabrics – when used in a high concentration. However, diluting chlorine bleach and using it little by little prevents bleach stains and preserves the initial feel of the material.
10. Steer Clear of Fabric Softener
While softer clothes sound enticing, fabric softener can actually damage your clothes and washing machine. It can leave blue-gray stains on your clothes, coat them with a chemical layer and leave harmful residue inside washing machines.
11. Don’t Overfill the Washer
Although it’s tempting to fill the washer to the brim to save time, doing so prevents a thorough wash and increases the chance of fabric damage. The maximum fill for one load of laundry should not exceed the three-quarters mark in your washer.
12. Wash Jeans Inside-Out
To prevent jeans from fading, wash them inside-out. You can also use this as a general practice to preserve the color of dark clothes.
13. Learn What to Dry and What Not to Dry
Many types of clothing should avoid the dryer. Here’s a list of clothing items that should be air-dried instead of machine dried:
- Bras
- Silk, lace, and other delicate fabrics
- Activewear
- Swimwear
- Sweaters
- Beaded clothing
Pro tip: When air-drying clothes, be sure to keep them out of direct sunlight to avoid fading. Use a drying rack for clothes that should be dried flat to speed drying time.
14. Avoid High Heat Settings When Drying
When using the dryer, opt for low heat settings to ensure your clothing doesn’t shrink in the drying process.
15. Steam Instead of Iron
Like washers and dryers, irons have settings for multiple purposes. However, irons can shrink or burn clothes if misused. Foregoing ironing for steaming will remove wrinkles from your clothes in a much gentler manner.
Pro tip: If you don’t have a steamer, hang your clothes in your bathroom and run a hot shower.
16. Avoid Stuffing Your Drawers
The more clothes you cram in your drawers, the more often you’ll have to iron them and subject them to heat damage. Instead, store seasonal clothes away until you need them to free up space and let your drawers breathe.
17. Buy the Right Hangers
Toss your plastic and wire hangers (yes, especially those you saved from the dry cleaner) and invest in the right hangers that will keep the shape of your clothes intact. We recommend heavy-duty wooden hangers for items like heavy items and velvet hangers for delicates.
18. Use Natural Methods to Keep Moths Away
Keep lavender and cedarwood in your drawers and closet to keep moths and bugs out of your space. Plus, they smell nice, too!
19. Launder Less Frequently
Washing your clothes properly is essential – but washing them after every wear can damage the material and warp their shape. In addition, washing your garments too frequently can result in a loss of color and elasticity.
Unless your clothes are visibly dirty or have a noticeable odor, refrain from washing them until they have been worn at least three times (except for undergarments).
Pro tip: Wearing a sweat proof undershirt (see tip #2) is a great way to help you launder less often, too.
20. Store Your Clothes in Cool, Dry Places
Keeping your clothes in a cool, dry environment is essential to prolonging the life of your wardrobe. Give clothes room to breathe and avoid storing them in any areas that subject them to mold or dust.
Clothes Last Longer With Thompson Tee
Learning how to make clothes last longer is one of the best ways to save money and align with an eco-friendly lifestyle.
Wearing a Thompson Tee sweat proof undershirt protects your garments from pesky underarm stains, giving you the freedom to wear your clothes confidently.
Thompson Tee’s patented sweat proof technology prolongs the life of your wardrobe by stopping sweat stains and odor from ruining your clothes. Available in styles for men and women, Thompson Tee undershirts pair seamlessly with a wide variety of fits and materials.
Try a Thompson Tee risk-free today!
