The average American household spends upwards of $2000 a year on clothes alone. When you add that up over the years, it’s safe to say that it’s a big expense. Since it’s such a big expense, it’s important that you take care of your clothing. Making it last wont just make your investment more worthwhile but it’s also less wasteful for the planet.
Tons and tons of clothes are thrown away every year as a result of simple carelessness. If we can manage to take better care of our clothes we can make them last longer and do our part to produce less waste. Here are some of the best tips for extending the life of your garments.
Store Your Clothes Properly
Throwing your clothes on the floor, or stuffing them into drawers is not the way that you take care of your clothes. Hang your clothes up in your wardrobe, or fold them before you store them on shelves or drawers. Not only does it make your clothing last longer, but it also makes them a lot easier to find. Stuffing clothing into drawers haphazardly is careless and can damage your clothes over time, so, do yourself a favor and put them away where they belong.
Buy Quality Clothes
Even though fast fashion may come with an appealing price tag, those are the types of clothes that aren’t made to stand the test of time. Buy clothes that are made with high quality materials, and won’t be full of holes after a few wears.
Even though it may cost a little extra to buy quality brands, you end up saving more money over time. Instead of having to buy the same item of clothing several times a year, you buy it once and it can last as long as a decade depending on the brand.
Wash On Cold Cycle
Washing your clothes at a cold temperature can significantly extend the life of your clothing. Blasting clothes on hot can start to wear down colors in no time, not to mention it can affect fabrics elasticity. In addition to extending the life of your clothes, washing them on a cold cycle can save you money on your electric bill— and who doesn’t want that?
Air Dry
Even though throwing your clothes in the dryer is fast and convenient, it will destroy your clothes. Air dry whenever possible, and only dry clean when absolutely necessary.
Use Detergent Sparingly
Even though it can be tempting to put in extra detergent assuming that that will clean your clothes more thoroughly, this can actually have a negative impact. Your clothes will become quite stiff, and it’s also rough on the environment. Cut back on your detergent, and you’ll find your clothes are noticeably softer, not to mention you’ll spend less on detergent every month.
