We share these 9 tricks that will help you keep your wardrobe always looking impeccable and shiny as new.
1.- Follow the washing instructions
The first thing we must do, in addition to what I consider to be the most important thing, what keeps the garments looking new for longer is: follow the washing instructions for each garment. All the garments we purchase have a label with a symbol and some specifically include the legend “dry clean”, “machine wash”, etc. If we are not familiar with the symbols we can search for them on Google, it is the 21st century, we no longer have excuses for not knowing.
2.- Use the washing machine wisely
If we do not use it conscientiously we can ruin our clothes. Separating our clothes according to colors helps protect light garments and avoid surprises such as dyeing clothes in another color. It is also important to separate clothes by needs. It is true that you can put delicate clothes in the washing machine by setting the delicate clothes program in the washing machine and in a special washing bag or a pillowcase if we do not have the special bag. But what I recommend is washing them by hand, it is more work, but I assure you it is worth it. It is important to remember that jeans must be turned inside out so that they fade less, and printed t-shirts so that they do not lose their design.
Also read: What is the aesthetic clothing style? The fashion that everyone talks about
3. -Don’t wash so often
Once we take off a garment such as coat, it is better to hang it in an airy place to remove any smell that we have picked up and not leave it impregnated, this way we can save a trip to the dry cleaners and preserve it better. In addition, items such as dress pants can be worn a few times until we take them to the dry cleaners or wash them at home, depending on the care instructions. Just like jeans, we can wear them multiple times until we consider it is time to wash them.
T-shirts: after each use
Socks: after each use
Underwear: after each use
Tights: hand wash after each use
Swimsuits: after each use Sportswear
: after each use if you sweat
White and silk clothing: after each use
Shirts: 1-2 use before washing
Blouses: 1-2 use before washing
Bras: hand wash after 2-3 uses
Shorts: after 2-3 uses
Dresses: 1-3 uses, if it is formal, wash after each use
Pajamas: after 3-4 uses
Suits: 3-4 uses if it is wool; 4-5 for synthetics
Skirts: 5-7 uses
Sweatshirt: 6-7 uses
Formal pants: after a few uses
Jeans: when they smell bad
Sweaters: 2-3 for cotton; more than 5 for wool
Winter scarves, hats and gloves: 3-5 times per season, hand wash fabrics, dry clean furs.
Shoes: when they are dirty or when they smell bad, it depends on the type of shoe and what occasion we use them for.
Coats: 2 times per season for parkas, chalets and wool coats; 1 time per season for leathers and suedes.
4.- Store each garment accordingly
Not all the clothes in our closet should be hung on hangers. Knitted clothing should not be hung as it can lose its shape when stretched as it gives way and the stitch opens. If you have a very thin knit item, you can fold it with paper so that it doesn’t slip under others. In addition, it is recommended that delicate garments such as dresses or shirts be hung on padded hangers so that they respect the shape of the shoulders. We should also try to hang our coats on thicker hangers such as wooden ones, just like our formal coats.
Also read: How to combine Neutral Colors with Other Colors in clothes?
5.- Learn to tend
Yes, it is very convenient to put the entire load of clothes in the dryer but we must avoid it as much as we can, we must prioritize the clothesline over the dryer. Heat damages clothing greatly, especially our less resistant garments. When hanging the clothes we must look for the folds of the clothes to put the clips, in the part of the t-shirts they are the armpits and in the pants, it is the crotch.
Another tip is not to hang the clothes at a time when there is full sun since the sun makes the clothes stiff and steals their color. It is recommended to hang them at a time when the sun does not hit directly. It is ideal to hang the shirts on a hanger so that they do not lose their shape.
6.- The silk trick
Silk is a very noble and resistant fabric despite its appearance. A trick to clean it when it has been used but is not dirty and that leaves it like new is to clean it with steam. It consists of placing the garment on its hanger and when you go to shower, hanging it inside the bathroom. The water vapor that is released in the shower is responsible for cleaning the garment. And it is ready for a new use.
7.- Leather
When winter ends it is important to store the garment in a garment bag, avoiding folding it, as this could cause it to become deformed. Leather should not be put in the washing machine, but should always be cleaned dry, with a product intended for this purpose and a dry sponge. When saving it for the spring equinox wardrobe change, a good habit is to spread moisturizer on it. Leather is skin, and like yours, it appreciates hydration.
Also read: Habits that make your black clothes lose color
8.- Wash by hand
Always hand wash knitwear and delicate garments. The idea is to wait until you have several to avoid wasting water and use cold water to prevent color fading or shrinkage. We recommend washing the clothes in a specific order: from the lightest to the darkest, with the idea of making better use of the water and so that the dark clothes do not contaminate lighter ones with their dye. To do it well, you would have to use a special detergent for delicate garments (and without overdoing it – read the measurements recommended by the manufacturer on the bottle), pour it into the water and mix it with it before putting the garment in. Once washed, the garment must be drained well, do not mix them all in the same bucket while they are wet, and let them dry in an airy place, on a hanger or in a way that prevents them from becoming deformed, as knitted garments are.
9. – Detergents
The detergents that we decide to buy to clean clothes are very important in our daily health and hygiene, and they also have an impact on the environment. Conventional products may contain artificial chemicals that damage the garment or leave toxins in the fabric or water. Something that does not happen with natural ingredients. Many “whitening” products include an “optical brightener,” a chemical that reflects light and makes fabric look whiter but has nothing to do with removing dirt. Additionally, these products are not biodegradable. We recommend that you explore the range of products from organic brands that use natural ingredients. Highly recommended for people who have very sensitive skin.
