The less you buy, the more you save the environment from pollution, emissions, and energy consumption. In short, it makes your carbon footprint smaller. So how can you buy less? If the clothes you already have will last longer. We’re here with simple tips and tricks that will make sure you can use your stylish wardrobe lasts for a while.
Use Your Detergent Wisely
Using lots of detergent doesn’t mean it will make your clothes super clean, the extra amount will just settle on your fabric, making it feel stiff and look dull. But let’s not negate the negative environmental impact it causes. Detergents contain sulphates, which are often not biodegradable and end up polluting waterways and disturbing aquatic life. So make sure you add detergent to your water first, this will ensure your detergent is dissolved in the water and will prevent the breakdown of fibres. You can also reduce the detergent amount to half and add half a cup of baking soda to your laundry. The baking soda boosts the detergent and makes sure your clothes are as clean as they would be with just the detergent.
Wash Less Often
This tip is super simple. Don’t wash your clothes too often, this will make sure your clothes don’t wear out as quickly, but retain their quality for longer. So the next time you’ve worn your clothes just for a few hours, try to air them out instead of tossing them in the laundry.
Beware Of Bleeding Colours
This is common in clothes that are hand block printed, naturally dyed, or even with certain bright colours. Make sure you wash bright and dark coloured clothes separately to ensure the colour doesn’t bleed onto other clothes, ruining them. Clothes that bleed should especially be washed in cold water and be dried in shade so as to make sure they don’t lose their colour and vibrancy quickly.
Wash Your Delicates Carefully
Smaller, more delicate clothes like undergarments and socks should not be tossed in the washing machine with everything else. Since they’re smaller and more delicate they could get damaged if you do this too often. Instead, you can place them in a washable laundry bag before tossing them in the washer, or simply opt to hand wash your delicates.
Wash Dark Clothes Inside Out
Darker clothes, especially denims, often lose colour with every wash. Washing them inside out will ensure your clothes don’t lose as much colour, and retain its quality and look, making sure they don’t appear washed out or old.
Opt For Better Hangers
Thin plastic or metal hangers tend to wear your clothes often at the shoulders, making them lose their shape and fit. Instead, use better quality wooden hangers as they are thicker and don’t dig into the weave of your fabric.
Wash Your Washing Machine
Make sure you give your washing machine a wash too. Most washers come with a setting to do so. This will make sure any dirt or grime deposited inside the washer doesn’t get deposited back on your clothes when they are cleaned. Depending on how often you are using the washer, you can do this once a week or bi-weekly.
Make sure you follow these tips to make your clothes last longer.
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