Clothing Care Tips: Making Your Wardrobe Last

Smart shoppers know that a good deal on clothing doesn't end at the store. If you really want to get the most of what you paid for your clothes, ensure that they last a long time by properly caring for them with some of these tips. And start off with the first tip of avoiding excessive washing. Clean freaks who wash something they've hardly gotten a full-on wear out of may be doing more damage than good.

Read the Label: It's common sense, but with fabrics that you are unfamiliar with, don't wing it. Just read the care label before washing. It could save you money in the end.

In the Wash: Before placing your clothes in the washing machine turn clothes inside out and zip up anything with a zipper. It will ensure that the zipper does not snag other materials that are being washed as well. Also, make sure hooded sweatshirt cords are knotted so that they aren't lost in the wash. Make sure the knots are still in before you place hoodies in the dryer too. It will ensure that the cord doesn't come completely out of the lining.

Additionally, overloading the washing machine with too much clothing causes the machine to have to work more, and that means the machine is tougher on your clothes.

Vinegar: Adding vinegar along with detergent helps combat fading, and the smell of the vinegar is gone by the time the wash cycle is up.

Unmentionables: Underwear, bras and socks should be placed in cloth bags before you put these items in the washer or dryer. First off, it reduces the wear and tear of the washing machine's equipment on the fabric or the heat of the dryer. Secondly, it ensures that items such as socks are kept together and don't get lost, which means you can keep your pairs of socks for a longer amount of time instead of throwing out mismatched socks.

Dark Color Fabrics: Black jeans, pants and other dark-color fabrics fade. If you want to retain the color as much as possible, don't wash these types of clothes as often. If possible, wash every other wear. If there is a stain in the clothing, don't rub the stain because it will cause excessive wear that will result in damage to the color treatment.

When you do wash this type of clothing, use cold water and air dry if possible. Using the dryer will also cause the dye to fade. Therefore, those at-home dry cleaning bags that are at the stores, won't do much to reduce the fading.

Also, I've noticed that ironing dark fabrics can also cause damage. Therefore, if you need to iron something that is dark, turn it inside out. And for delicate fabrics, make sure to put an interface between the fabric and the iron, it will reduce damage.

The Dryer: And to add to the last point about the dryer, the dryer in general adds additional wear to your clothing - similar to the type of wear and tear you do to your clothing when you wear it. If possible, make sure to line dry delicates - especially clothing with notions, such as buttons or snaps on them. Anything with lace should be line dried. Clothing with spandex, tends not to hold up in the dryer.

If you do have to use the dryer, try this: don't completely dry your clothes, or turn the dryer to its lowest setting (usually "knits low") or turn the dryer dial to half the cycle (so, instead of "permanent press" something like "more dry" would reduce the amount of time your clothing spends in the dryer).

Dry Cleaning: A lot of people think that taking their clothes to the dry cleaner is better than washing their clothes themselves and will lead to a longer shelf-life for their clothing. However, if you over dry clean, it will cause excessive rubbing to your fabrics that ultimately means the thinning of your clothing.

Ironing: As with what was stated in the "Dark Color Fabrics" point, most clothes in general, should be ironed inside out. Satins and other delicate fabrics should have a cloth placed between the fabric and the iron. If you don't do this, you can sometimes leave a permanent mark on your clothing - in the shape of the iron.

Stuff in the Car: You should not leave clothing in the car for long periods of time, especially during the winter or summer, or any time during the year when there are extreme temperatures. Excessive heat or cold can damage your clothing leading to sun stains or the compromising of the elasticity of your fabric. I've seen perfectly new white shirts that were left in a car during a heat wave, come out yellowed and worn.

Driving: If you wear heels, don't drive with them on. The styles with the pointed toe often get rubbed very quickly as a result of the repetitive contact with the gas and brake peddles. Also, the heels and Achilles heel area of the shoe's exterior also tend to get rubbed with the constant contact with your car's floor.