Many clothing pieces lose their shape, color and structure sooner than they should. Proper clothing storage and their care play a role in preserving the fabric quality, maintaining the fit and extending the life of every item in your closet. Here are some tips on how to store and care for your clothes, so they look new for longer.
Different Fabric Types And Their Needs
Different fabrics need different care. Cotton and linen both handle regular machine washing and warm drying, but they can shrink or fade if you use high heat on them.
Wool and cashmere clothing needs more gentle care, using cold water or a wool cycle and lay them flat to dry. Avoid hanging heavy knitwear, and it will stretch, and using a mild detergent made for wool, helps to protect the fibers.
Silk and other delicate fabrics need the most gentle care. Hand washing or a delicate cycle is best, and skip your tumble dryer completely. Dry them flat, or hang in the shade, to prevent any potential sun damage and a loss of sheen.
Synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon and spandex resist shrinking and they dry quickly. Wash them inside out on a warm or cold setting, and avoid high heat drying.
Leather and suede are not machine wash items. You can wipe leather with a damp cloth, and use a leather conditioner occasionally to keep the leather supple. For suede, brush it gently, and use a protective spray to repel stains and water.
Why Proper Storage Matters More Than You Think
Poor clothing storage lets moisture, pests and sunlight slowly harm the fabric fibers and fade colors.
Choose the right hangers for your closet, using wooden hangers for coats, and suit hangers for jackets to keep shoulders shaped. Use some padded hangers for your delicate blouses and knitwear, so the straps don’t stretch.
Small tools can help to save your clothing over time, like a sewing kit to fix loose seams quickly. Use a lint roller to remove dust and pills, before storing them in your closet.
For long-term storage, wrap any delicate or special items in acid-free tissue paper, to prevent creases and chemical reactions that yellows fabrics over the years.
Choosing The Right Detergent For Long Lasting Fabrics
Pick a detergent that matches the fabric care labels on your clothes. Labels will tell you whether a material needs gentle formulas, cold water or special handling.
Use milder detergents for delicate fabrics like silk, wool or embellished items. These types of cleaners will protect your fibers and reduce the fading, so your clothes keep their shape and color.
Avoid using fabric softener on towels, activewear and some synthetic fabrics, as softener can build-up on fibers, reducing how absorbent they are, and harming moisture-wicking finishes.
For mixed loads or brighter colors, was the items inside out and use a mesh laundry bag for small or fragile items, reducing friction and stopping your delicate pieces from rubbing against rougher fabrics.
Treat any stains before you wash them, with a small amount of detergent, or a stain remover suited for the fabric. Using the gentlest washing technique that will still remove the stain, to protect the fibers.
Best Way To Dry Clothes To Prevent Wear And Tear
Always try to air-dry whenever you can, skipping the dryer for delicate fabrics, knitwear and anything with a print.
Use a drying rack placed in a well-ventilated spot, laying heavy items flat on the rack to keep shape, and hanger lighter pieces to drain and dry faster. This will prevent stretching and reduce stress on the seams.
Shake or gently reshape your garments before you dry them. Smooth the fabric with your hands, and fasten buttons or zippers, lowering wrinkles and making ironing or steaming easier.
You can use a steamer for quick touch-ups, and to relax any creases without using direct heat. Fabric shavers can remove lint and pilled surfaces after drying, to make your garments look newer.
Avoid overloading your washing machine or drying rack, as crowing traps moisture and slows down the moisture, weakening fibers and cause mildew. Make sure you give each item enough space to dry evenly.
