Is it just me, or are your clothes falling apart?
Written By: Isabelle Drury
Are you finding that your clothes are wearing out faster than desired? Whether you're aiming for a more 'sustainable' wardrobe or simply aiming to maximise the lifespan of your favourite pieces, we've got you covered! In this guide, we'll provide you with tips and tricks on how to make your clothes withstand the test of time.
/ Buy the right kind of clothes for you
Having a 'sustainable' wardrobe is all about making your clothes work for you. This is where you really need to think about the kind of lifestyle you live, and how your clothes fit into this.
Let’s take natural fibres in clothing, with Merino wool as a prime example. This sought-after material, known for its sustainable attributes, requires infrequent washing and holds the ability to naturally biodegrade at the end of its lifetime. This sounds great, but if you are a busy person who cannot hand wash and line dry your clothing, your wool items may become misshapen or shrunk. Instead, a fabric that is machine washable and dryable, such as Cotton, might be a more suitable choice for your lifestyle. Opting for this type of material can contribute to prolonging the longevity of your clothing items.
This advice applies to dry-clean-only items, too. Do you really want to go to the dry cleaners every time you want to wear that outfit? We didn’t think so.
/ Wear your clothes your way
Now you’re only wearing the kind of clothes that fit your lifestyle, we’re going to let you in on a little secret: you’re probably washing your clothes too much. That’s right, you can often wear your clothes way longer than you might expect.
Let’s start with jeans, if they’re made out of actual denim (not that stretchy, jegging fabric) some experts say you can go up to six entire weeks without washing them. Bras, you can get four wears out of ‘em before you need to chuck them in the wash. T-shirts, you should probably stick to every one or two wears. And sweatshirt or jumpers can last up to five or six wears.
In between these wears, if you get any stains or splatters on your clothes, you can use an on-the-go stain remover to get them in tip-top condition. Our top pick comes from the renowned laundry brand called Dirt, a favourite among environmentally conscious consumers in Australia.
/ When you wash them, wash them right
When it comes to washing your clothes, the easiest way to extend the life of your items is to wash them correctly. Yes, those symbols on the care label actually do mean something. Carefully following the instructions is essential, but there are some general guidelines you can follow to ensure both the longevity and sustainability of your wardrobe.
Wash your clothes cold where possible, a 30°C / 86°F wash works just as well as a hot wash in most cases, and it helps preserve fabric colours and elasticity. Air drying your clothes is another important way to extend the lifetime of your clothing, it not only saves energy but also prevents shrinkage and damage from high heat.
Where possible, opt for eco-friendly detergent. These options not only treat your clothes with greater kindness but also spare the environment from the harmful impacts of chemicals flowing into rivers and seas. We'd also recommend for you to sort your clothes by colour to prevent colour bleeding!
This may sound obvious but, do you know how to use best your washing machine? Lots of people never read the manual or discover which modes are the most efficient! Modern washing machines can even calculate the ideal amount of detergent and water based on the load size, taking efficiency to a new level.
Taking proper care of your clothes is a straightforward yet remarkably powerful method to prolong their lifespan in your wardrobe. Take it one step at a time, and you'll notice the difference!
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Step into the world of mindful shopping, where each decision resonates with purpose. Here at We The Earth, we craft collections with these ideals, aiming for each piece to be an investment in lasting style and comfort, resonating with your values and contributing to a better tomorrow.