Clothes are often one of the most critical aspects of our lives. They can make us feel good about ourselves and help us look our best. However, it’s important to remember that we need to take care of our clothes to maintain their quality.
With countless ways to keep our clothes in their optimal condition, it can be challenging to decide what’s best. Many myths surround the perfect way to preserve the integrity of our clothes, but new information has come out that dispels these old ways of thinking. Here are five secrets for keeping our clothes of their highest quality.
Always Read the Care Instructions
It may seem like a no-brainer to put in the extra effort and do our best to follow the care instructions. However, it’s easy for busy people to get caught up in their everyday lives and not consider what needs to be done before putting clothes away.
It can help to keep a list in your dresser that reminds you of what to do for each item of clothing. It’s also ideal to have separate laundry bags, so it’s easy to differentiate clothes that require thorough washing versus the ones you need to bring to the dry cleaners.
Improper care can lead to costly repairs and the unfortunate result of tossing out clothes that were otherwise still in excellent condition.
Wash with the Optimal Temperature
The reason why your clothes shrink or expand in the dryer is that they’re washed with the wrong water temperature. Many people have a problem because of the common misconception that all clothes are washable in warm water. However, certain materials do better if washed in low temperatures or even hand-washed at home.
To save yourself the hassle of having to figure out the best temperature for your clothes in each load, consider buying a machine that has a built-in fabric detection system. It can help you save money by washing your clothes at the ideal water temperature without worrying about damaging them. If that’s not an option, perhaps consider washing clothes at moderate temperature.
Avoid Using Too Much Detergent
Washing your clothes with too much detergent can cause them to lose their color. It’s a problem that many people face because they think they need to use more soap than what it requires for the load.
It’s important to remember that you only need one tablespoon of detergent per wash cycle. If you find yourself constantly having stained clothes, it could be because you’re using too much soap or the wrong kind. Try to use high-quality detergents free of dyes and perfumes.
Prevent Overexposure to Sunlight
The best way to avoid unnecessary wear and tear on your clothes is to keep them out of full sunlight. It’s common for people to take their clothes outside while they’re still wet only to find that the water spots are near impossible to get rid of.
It can be tempting to hang up our laundry because it looks fresh after being washed. However, it would help if you always were careful about how it’s being displayed. Clothes need to be hung up in indirect sunlight to preserve the colors for as long as possible.
Limit Ironing Only When Necessary
It’s common for people to iron their clothes right after being washed. However, it can be a big mistake because that extra heat from the iron can cause damage. Therefore, it’s ideal only to iron your clothes if you notice that they have become wrinkled throughout the day.
If you feel like you need to spend time using an iron, it’s best to invest in a steamer that can get rid of any creases without causing damage. More and more people are choosing steamers because they have many benefits compared to irons.
It’s common for fashion enthusiasts to spend money on clothes constantly, so they feel good about themselves. However, it can be a big problem if you continuously lose money because your clothes slowly break down.
Having a closet full of clothing that looks great on you isn’t the only thing that matters — it’s also vital to have clothing that can last a long time. It doesn’t matter how much money or thought goes into picking out the perfect outfit if it doesn’t fit well after a few wears.
Therefore, it’s essential to consider the quality of your clothes instead of just how they look because you might have to spend even more money on tailoring them down the line. With that being said, it’s best to keep the above things in mind if you want to get your money’s worth for years to come.
