Clothing like most other necessities can get costly overtime. This is even more so if you have to replace items of clothing not long after purchasing them.
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Clothes have a habit of changing into dull, faded, wrinkled, and sometimes even torn after just a few trips to the washing machine. The following are a few simple tips on how you can extend the life of your clothing.
1. Read the tag. It is found either on the neck or down the seam. This tag gives clear instructions such as how to wash, dry, and iron the garment. Following the instructions will help keep your garment looking great.
2. Pre-treat stains immediately. All you need is some cold water. Run the stain under cold water and then rub gently with a damp cloth. Put aside until ready to launder.
3. Pre-treat grimy neck collars. Mix a paste of baking soda and vinegar. Apply the paste to the collar prior to adding the shirt to the wash.
4. Choose the right detergent. Most detergents are full of harmful chemicals which are unhealthy for us. These same detergents can also be unhealthy for clothing. They strip the dyes in fabrics resulting in colors fading much faster.
5. Place delicate items in a mesh bag. Include items such as socks and undergarments to keep them from getting stretched or tangled into knots.
6. Wash clothes inside out. Yes you read that right. I always get asked by people who see my clothes hanging out on the line as to why I don't turn my clothes right side out. I actually do this so that colors do not get faded from the bright sun. I have also noticed an improvement in the wear of the clothes when machine washing them inside out.
7. Don't overload the washer. Stuffing as much clothes inside per wash may be saving you some time however can result in clothes not lasting as long as they should. Your clothes can become misshapen and damaged. Fill up your washing machine around three quarters of the way to allow clothes to have enough water and space to be well cleaned and less wrinkled.
8. Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. The reason is that warm and hot water can break down fibres and cause clothes to fade whereas cold water actually prevents colors from bleeding.
9. Wash on gentle cycle. Washing your clothes can actually cause more wear and tear than when you are wearing them. Using the gentle cycle helps keep clothes from losing its shape and fibre quality.
10. Hang clothes outside to air dry. Heat will damage fabrics over time. Electric dryers can cause colors to fade, shrinkage, and weaken fibres. If you cannot hang your clothes outside on a line you can use a drying rack inside your home.
What steps do you follow to keep your clothes looking new?
1. Read the tag. It is found either on the neck or down the seam. This tag gives clear instructions such as how to wash, dry, and iron the garment. Following the instructions will help keep your garment looking great.
2. Pre-treat stains immediately. All you need is some cold water. Run the stain under cold water and then rub gently with a damp cloth. Put aside until ready to launder.
3. Pre-treat grimy neck collars. Mix a paste of baking soda and vinegar. Apply the paste to the collar prior to adding the shirt to the wash.
4. Choose the right detergent. Most detergents are full of harmful chemicals which are unhealthy for us. These same detergents can also be unhealthy for clothing. They strip the dyes in fabrics resulting in colors fading much faster.
5. Place delicate items in a mesh bag. Include items such as socks and undergarments to keep them from getting stretched or tangled into knots.
7. Don't overload the washer. Stuffing as much clothes inside per wash may be saving you some time however can result in clothes not lasting as long as they should. Your clothes can become misshapen and damaged. Fill up your washing machine around three quarters of the way to allow clothes to have enough water and space to be well cleaned and less wrinkled.
8. Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. The reason is that warm and hot water can break down fibres and cause clothes to fade whereas cold water actually prevents colors from bleeding.
9. Wash on gentle cycle. Washing your clothes can actually cause more wear and tear than when you are wearing them. Using the gentle cycle helps keep clothes from losing its shape and fibre quality.
10. Hang clothes outside to air dry. Heat will damage fabrics over time. Electric dryers can cause colors to fade, shrinkage, and weaken fibres. If you cannot hang your clothes outside on a line you can use a drying rack inside your home.
1 Comments
I only wash my own clothes when they either look or smell dirty. Fewer washes keeps it looking new longer. You can always spritz them with fabric freshener if you want a fresh from the line smell.
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