One of the best ways to keep your clothes looking fresh and new is to launder them properly. Here are a couple of my favorite tips:
Washing:
- Wash your clothes LESS. The more you wash your clothes the faster they fall apart. The washing machine isn’t great for the integrity of the fibers in your clothing.
- Always wash your clothes in cold water. It works just as well as hot water, and in cases of blood and sweat, it works better. Plus, using cold water is MUCH better for the environment.
- Turn your clothes inside out before washing them. It preserves the colors and keeps clothing from getting snagged on each other.
- Another way to be a little more eco-friendly while washing is to use distilled white vinegar in place of traditional laundry detergent, just use half a cup. Using a cup of baking soda is also great for clothes, it helps to get some of the smells out.
- Consider a microfiber filter when you wash your clothes in the machine. They may not be 100% but they go a long way in ensuring all those microplastics coming off of your clothes don't end up in the ocean. Here’s a link to one I know of, but I’m sure there are others out there:
https://planetcare.org/products/microfiber-filter
Drying:
Your dryer is what is ruining your clothes, no matter what it's made from, cotton, polyester, etc. You just shouldn't be drying your clothes in a dryer (yes it can be inconvenient). Not using the dryer also saves money on fuel bills. Here are some non-machine drying tips:
- Hang-drying your clothes prevents static cling.
- Gently squeeze the excess water from the garment after washing. Do not twist or wring the item as it could stretch the fibers and ruin the fabric.
- Lay your hand-washed clothes on a clean, dry white towel spread over a flat surface that is moisture-resistant. Flip the garment over periodically, and replace the damp towel with a dry one as needed.
- Use a drying rack for delicate pieces like lingerie
- Hang or fold your clothes as soon as they’re dry to prevent wrinkles (I know this one is the hardest)
I found some good “how to dry” resources here:
https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/laundry-linens/dry-clothes/
