As much as we love our clothes, the sad truth is that many of them undergo the usual wear and tear. Threads can get loose, holes may happen, and stains can become permanent. These things happen from the main garments down to the delicates and even our cutie, teensy socks. 

However, we can actively do something in order to even prolong the lifespan of your clothes. Before they end up being reused as home clothes or converted into something else useful, it’s better that you get the most out of your beloved wardrobe pieces. Why not read on to see why and what steps you need to maximize your clothes for a longer fashion life?

The importance of caring for your clothes

This may seem like a daunting task, but providing the utmost care to your beloved wardrobe essentials is beneficial not only to you, but to the environment as well. When you extend the life of your clothes, you will not replace them often, and then it can reduce waste generated from old clothes. Also, since you will shop new clothes less often, you also save the resources that go into making those. Plus, you’ll save some bucks too.

And don’t you like when you get your money’s worth on those fashion items you bought? In addition, if you plan to in the future, you can still resell them and get a higher resale value, especially if your dress still looks in good condition.

How to prolong the lifespan of your clothes

Here are some of the things that you can do in order to make wearing your favorite clothes last longer.

Invest in high-quality fabrics

One of the first things to consider when purchasing clothes is their build quality. Are you buying one because of the trend, or because of the quality? Durable and well-made clothes may be more expensive upfront, especially when compared to other brands. But when they don’t easily break, you don’t have to replace them that often and you save some bucks in the longer run.

Or here’s a tip: look out for amazing sales from these brands when they roll out huge discounts, like during holidays. You can score top deals at a low price point. But not all quality fabrics are from top brands, you just have to learn how to look for several indications of good quality. You can still find a good deal even in small shops. For example, check out for the garment’s durability, if their threads are well-sewn together.

Classic items can last

Invest in classic pieces as well, as they are much simpler to maintain. You can still look stylish with classic items like a well-made sweater or denim pants, which don’t require special handling. You can easily take care of them, and they are easy to store in closets and pack in overnight bags, too.

Always check the labels

Before you proceed in doing any further care with any of your clothes, it’s best to read the label first and check out the care instructions. Check the materials, some are 100% made in cotton, or wool, and they may differ in cleaning procedures.

Some clothes may be better off as hand washed, and others may not react to bleach or strong detergent that well. Some may not do well in hot temperature water, and some may not be suited for irons. There’s even recommended cycle settings for many garments. That’s why it pays to read first those mini-labels included.

Don’t wash your clothes too often

Especially for those machine washing, we do not recommend you wash your clothes too often. The laundry cycles can actually damage your clothes when subjected to them regularly, such as causing the thread to pull out. And when you do, you should know the cycle settings of your machine. While you’re at it, try using the gentlest cycle available and never overload. If possible, try re-wearing some of your favorite items several times before adding them to your laundry pile. This includes denims and some dresses, which do not get dirty or stained easily.

Wash at colder temperatures

And if you are going to proceed with your laundry, why not just opt for colder water? They are as effective as hot water, plus, you’ll also be saving energy (and money, too). Lower temperature helps you maintain the quality of your clothes, as they prevent the fiber from breaking down. Higher temperatures are more harmful to your garments, as they can cause them to shrink or allow fading of colors of the fabrics. Don’t also forget to turn your clothes inside out before loading them in!

Use bags for delicates

When washing your delicates and smaller undergarments, it is recommended that you use a mesh bag or similar cloth bags. This technique helps keep these smaller pieces of clothing intact by preventing their stretching due to spinning. They also won’t get wrapped up in other larger items. This means not losing apart your pairs of socks!

Carefully store your clothes

Arranging your wardrobe does not only mean redecorating, but also storing your items properly. It’s advisable that you fold them neatly, from jeans to shirts, to most kinds of clothing. Pile like clothes, so they don’t topple easily (and it’s neat to look at). Do not overstuff them, though, and give your closet a space to breathe. Use hangers appropriately, we recommend wooden ones. Keep your clothes in a cool, dry place and make sure that after doing the laundry, the clothes are completely dried prior to shelving them.

Dry your clothes by hanging

You may be tempted to always take advantage of the easy drying of your clothes. But do you really have to? Using a clothesline to air dry your laundry may be a classic thing of the past, but it’s way cheaper in the bills, and way friendlier to your clothes as they avoid another spinning motion after the washing cycles. The good old Sun along with the fresh wind can still get the job done, and could even further disinfect your clothes naturally.

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Caring for your clothes can allow you to extend their lifetime, for more fun-filled fashion days with them in the sun. You may think of these as like a lot of extra steps, but these mini-efforts would be well worth it in the end, both economically and environmentally.

And if the inevitable day still comes, don’t throw away old clothes. You can repurpose them into other stuff, like an arts and crafts shopping bag, or pencil cases. Remove usable parts like buttons so that you have spare for your other clothes.