1. Only hang clothes that are completely dry. Avoid hanging damp clothing in your closet or folding it into drawers, because this can attract insects and even damage the fibers. Run the clothing through the dryer if needed or leave it hanging on a door knob until it’s ready to be stowed away.
2. Wash your jeans inside out. Most jeans fade over time in the wash, and some will hold stains from your laundry detergent. The best way to avoid both of these issues is to wash your jeans inside out. This allows you to clean them thoroughly without compromising the color and texture of your favorite denim.
3. Don’t use wire hangers. Wire hangers can cause indentations in the fabric and stretch out delicate fibers. Use only high-quality plastic or wooden hangers for all of your blouses, suits, dresses and other essential items.
4. Don’t spritz perfume after putting on the dress. Many women have the habit of spritzing on perfume after they’re dressed, but this can create unwanted stains. Whether you’re wearing a silk blouse or a chiffon dress, make sure you’re not putting product on top of the fabric in any way.
5. Get your clothes to the dry cleaner. Any suits, dresses or tailored clothing in your wardrobe should go to the drycleaners where they can take care of delicate garments in the right environment. All of your special occasion dresses and ensembles should go to the drycleaners at least once or twice per season; just don’t overdo it or you risk damaging the fabric over time.
6. Reduce the drying cycle on cotton clothing. High-powered dryers are great for speeding up the drying cycle for most types of clothing, but if you’re washing an all-cotton load, you’ll need to reduce the drying time and let the garments air-dry for about an hour or two to protect them. Over-drying cotton clothing can make the fibers more fragile, and leave your garments feeling stiff and brittle.
7. Wash whites and colors separately. Washing white clothing with bright-colored clothing can easily lead to color runs and ruined items. Make sure you’re washing your whites with bleach in a separate load than colored clothing with regular detergent. Sorting your laundry is essential for making all of your clothes last just a little bit longer!
8. Learn how to repair your own clothes. From hemming the bottom of pants and skirts, to restoring a button or zipper, spend a few hours learning how to fix minor problems with your clothing yourself. This can save you time and money at the tailor, and also reduce the need to purchase new clothes.
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