How to Get the Most Life Out Of Your Clothing
Buying new clothes can be expensive and time consuming. Learn how to extend the life of your wardrobe to save you the hassle and keep you looking your best. A good first step is to buy clothing that is made of quality, durable fabric. Beyond that, here are some tips and tricks to help your clothing last.
Wearing Your Clothing/Usage
Rotate each item
Rotating your shoes and other apparel can prevent them from prematurely wearing out from constant use and stress. Your dress pants take twice the amount of wear and tear than blazers or sportcoats. The best way to preserve your suits is to build up your wardrobe to the point where they can rest and still have a new suit for each work day. This will help them last longer while adding variety to your work attire.
Don't work in your work clothes
Be aware of the tasks you perform in your clothes. It might be tempting to get house chores done as soon as you get home from work, but food stains and cleaning chemicals can ruin your work clothes. Try to change into your casual clothes or wear an apron to protect your professional attire. This will prevent you from having to wash items unnecessarily.
Prompt cleanup
If you do spill something on your clothes, treat the stain quickly and correctly by blotting with a stain-removing solution. Inspect the garment before placing in the dryer to ensure the stain in completely gone. If not, repeat the process until. A stain removal pen is another good option if you are away from the home to prevent a stain from setting in and ruining your favorite dress shirt. The Traveler Tailored Fit suit is made with stain and water resistant material that can help you maintain a polished and professional look throughout your day.
Cleaning Your Clothing/Laundering
You do not need to wash your garments after every use. Unstained jeans can be washed after every third wear. Black pants can also be worn several times before being washed. Dry cleaning suits, blazers or dress pants three to four times a year is usually sufficient; over dry-cleaning your garments can damage and fade fabrics over time. Sometimes, steaming or pressing your "dry-clean only" garments is a good alternative to use between trips to the cleaners. White clothing, on the other hand, should be washed after every wear. Body oils, perspiration, and cologne can damage your brightest of whites and leave an unsightly yellow stain.
Before laundering, read all care labels. Failure to follow these instructions is the top reason items get ruined or damaged. Separate your clothing by color and type of fabric; separate lights from darks and jeans from delicate pieces. For pants and jackets, make sure all zippers are zipped before adding them to the washing machine. Turning clothes inside out and washing them with cold water can prevent them from fading. High heat can also fade and shrink your fabric. Try to line dry your clothes when possible to keep them looking their best.
Caring for Your Clothing
All clothes should be kept in a cool, dry, dark environment free of insects. Dress shirts, trousers and jackets should be placed on a hanger immediately after washing or ironing. Iron clothing inside-out to prevent fading or shine marks. Fold and neatly stack all clothes that don't require a hanger. A garment that is missing a button, has a ripped seam or is showing other signs of damage should be fixed immediately. Find a skilled tailor to fix the issue or learn a few simple sewing techniques to make small repairs at home. Every time you purchase a new item, keep the extra buttons and put them in a safe place for a quick repair.
