5 Useful Tips To Make Your Clothes Last Longer
Sustainability does not only mean consciously buying clothes but also knowing how to make the most of your clothes for as long as possible, wearing them for several seasons, and fixing them when there was a defect.
Especially in fast fashion, fabrics and seams tend to be of lower quality, so you have to pay even more attention to how we treat them to ensure that they are not thrown away after six months.
Indeed, there are garments and accessories built to withstand time and use better, but in general, there are many things we can do to make the garments and accessories we like best last longer.
1. Always Buy Quality Items
Think of your clothes as an investment. You have to put the expense into account in advance to have a high-level garment that will surely save you money over a long period. By spending more on quality pieces that never go out of style, you create a solid base wardrobe.
The garment quality is fundamental: before choosing according to our tastes, we must check the label that indicates the fabric's composition. Also, make sure that the selected garment is not defective to prevent nasty surprises when you get home.
2. Iron Clothes Damp
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Using a protective fabric to iron is a good idea to avoid burning your clothes. Do not use the iron at maximum power; the best thing you can do is follow the label's instructions. Also, do a small iron test on the garment's back to make sure it doesn't get damaged when ironing.
Preferably, iron when the clothing is still damp. For a thoroughly dried outfit, opt for ironing with steam or sprinkling water on the cloth to make it moist before ironing. Ironing damp clothes saves you time as the wrinkles are yet to set in. The more time we save on these essential tasks, the more time we spend doing the things we love.
3. Read The Label
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It's not a good idea to buy things impulsively if you want to have clothes that last. You have to pay attention to the garment you purchase to know the care it needs, sometimes it doesn't matter if the garment is very delicate, but you have to be aware of the quality of the garment you are buying.
The composition of an item of clothing defines its durability. For this reason, fabrics that contain more natural fibers such as cotton, linen, silk, etc., last much longer, while synthetic materials are damaged more quickly. All these aspects should be taken into consideration when buying a garment.
4. Store Them Appropriately
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When storing your clothes, remember that not everything needs to be hung. Fold heavy items of clothes and place them on the shelf. Doing this will help you save hanger space for other things.
Invest in better and sturdier hangers, and don't pack your wardrobe full. A full closet will lead to more wrinkles on clothes as they tend to squeeze against one another. It would be best if you let the clothes breathe.
5. Rotate Your Clothes
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Don't overwear one particular item in your wardrobe as this is the quickest way to make it give in to wear and tear. Be sure to rotate the way you wear your clothes. To do this effectively, you have to create a system where fresh laundry goes to the back and is the last to be worn.
Even if it is your favorite outfit, try to wear it at a maximum of up to two days a week and remember to leave it to hang to breathe for at least 24 hours between each time. This way, the outfit recovers from the previous wear.