To make your clothes last as long as possible, it’s important to take care of them the right way and know the ins and outs of fabric care.
Extending the Lifespan of Your Clothes
In this article, you’ll find a handful of useful tips for making your clothes last longer. From cotton care to helpful buying tips, this list has everything you need to make the most of your closet.
While it may be tempting to go for fast fashion, investing in clothes of higher quality will benefit the earth, your wallet, and your style in the long run. High quality clothes stand the test of time in respect to the materials they’re made from.
Figure out the staples of your personal style and look for high quality versions. If you’re into cotton t-shirts, invest in a handful of Perk’s tees and look up cotton care instructions once you do. Knowing cotton care (or any fabric care) will only help you out.
A big part of fabric care is knowing how to protect your clothes from damage and stains. For some, this might involve wearing an apron while preparing food for a dinner party. For others, it may involve resting a napkin on your lap when eating a particularly saucy meal.
If you do happen to spill something, good fabric care entails taking care of the stain as quickly as possible with either a stain remover pen or a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. Remember, the longer you let the stain sit, the harder it is to remove.
We know that fabric wash is refreshing, but overdoing it can lead to long-term damage to your clothes. While an essential part of cotton care for a t-shirt is washing it after every wear (since it rests so close to your skin), it’s perfectly fine to hang your sweaters back up and refold your jeans after wearing them once.
The washing machine can be tough on your clothes. Unless the cotton care instructions tell you to wash after every wear, or if the garment is smelly or visibly dirty, feel free to put it back in the closet.
A huge part of cotton care and fabric care in general is reading the care labels - they’re there for a reason! If you wash your shirts at too high of a temperature, shrinkage can occur. Other garments may become discolored if you wash them with anything but like colors. Washing instructions for 100% cotton differs from washing instructions for silk, so it’s always key to take a peek at the labels.
If you find care labels to be itchy and uncomfortable and feel the need to cut them off, take a picture of them for future reference. You’ll thank yourself later.
If you use the dryer too often, it could cause fabrics to shrink and elastics to break down. Hanging your clothes on a line is a much gentler alternative, and it also prevents static cling!
The last thing you want to do for quality fabric care is store your clothing in the basement or in the bathroom, as those two rooms are bacteria magnets. Instead, find places that are clean, dry, and cool - and remember to keep your clothes out of direct sunlight to prevent fading.
To extend the lifespan of your clothes further, try to:
- Fold your heavy sweaters to prevent the stretch that occurs when you hang them.
- Use wooden hangers, as plastic ones stretch the shoulders and necklines of garments.
Because fast fashion is so cheap, the number of people willing to do repairs and alterations on their clothes has gone down dramatically. But you don’t have to fall victim to this! There are tons of YouTube tutorials that can teach you the right way to stitch, hem, and darn your clothes. And if you’re really unsure about your skills, try out the nearest tailor - or your mother!
In order to get the most out of your closet, you have to love it. For example, if you love pima cotton, you can concentrate on learning up on pima cotton care. You’ll become an expert, and fabric care will no longer be a chore.
Beyond that, if you love your clothes, you’ll find yourself wanting to wear them and find new ways to style them, which only expands your wardrobe further.
Making Clothes Last
At Perk, we care about clothes and the environment, which is why we make such high-quality products. Our tee shirts, chinos, and other garments are made of long-lasting materials that add value to your closet.
To learn more about men’s fashion and sustainability, visit our blog.
