Care for your clothing, so that it lasts longer!

Care for your clothing, so that it lasts longer!

Clothing is worn an average of 7 to 10 times before it is discarded, according to the Ellen Macarthur Foundation. We were shocked when we read that and then we discovered that 30% of clothing that is donated, still ends up in the landfills. We are in the business of selling clothes, but we know that we can do better. The following tips will help to ensure your clothing will stay in the best shape so that you can wear it for longer!

  1. Wash Less: Only wash your clothes when visibly dirty or smelling; the less you wash your clothing the better. We recommend that you spot clean anywhere there are any stains or marks, but otherwise try hanging the garment to air, and then wearing it again.
  2. Wash on Low Temperatures:  When the time to wash does come, wash at the lowest  temperature that will still clean your clothing. For the average shirt over a year, 80% of wear that occurs, happens in the wash and not on your body! Low temperatures, gentle detergents and washing inside out will help lower that number, so you can wear it for longer.
  3. Store Properly:  Correct storage will add to the lifespan of a garment. When hanging clothes, use wooden or padded hangers to further protect garments from becoming misshapen. Fold all sweaters on a shelf. If you’re hanging heavy sweaters, the fabric will start to stretch and you’ll be left with a misshapen sweater that you won’t want to wear. A cool, dark space with airflow will keep clothing fresh and colorfast. We like to add some lavender or cedar to our clothing storage to smell nice and pest free. 
  4. Learn Some Basic Mending: Using a steamer, de-pilling your sweaters, sewing on missing buttons or shortening straps are all things that can be done quickly to keep your garments looking like new. Find a local tailor that can help with any alterations in fit or refresh the styles.