Look after your clothes and save $$$

• Store all clothes in a cool and dry space to protect them from damp, sunlight, and heat, which can all cause damage.
• Make sure clothes are clean before you store them; dirt can attract clothes moths, which will damage your clothes.
• Have a declutter every year or so. This will create space for the clothes you love and prevent wrinkling and colour loss from clothes rubbing together. (And an organised wardrobe will also save time getting ready in a morning – bonus!).
• Avoid the urge to throw your clothes on a chair at the end of the day!
• Most plastic and wire hangers will stretch out the shoulders of your garments and leave you with saggy clothing. Wooden hangers will last longer and will protect your clothes from becoming misshapen.
• Fold sweaters and jumpers and store them on a shelf. If you hang them, you’ll be left with sad, droopy jumpers that might stretch down to your knees!
• Try storing your knitwear with lavender or moth balls for added protection against clothes moths.
• Store expensive items in cotton suit bags to prevent moth damage.
• How to store your summer clothes

Repair

• If you notice any damage, get it repaired straight away. This will stop it from getting worse and having to be thrown away.
• Buy one of those nifty de-pilling gadgets and run it over your jumpers each time you wear them. Then they won’t get bobbly and weird looking!

Washing

Use the ‘sniff test’! The more you wash your clothes, the faster they will wear out. If they don’t smell or have stains, hang them up or air on the washing line to freshen them up. You can also hang them in the bathroom while you shower to give them a steam.

• When you do have to wash your clothes (hopefully after at least three wears), pay attention to proper washing techniques – don’t just shove everything into the washing machine together!
• For items made of good-quality wool or delicate fabrics, use a low heat setting and place delicate fabrics in a laundry bag to reduce tearing.
• Items worn close to your skin, such as underwear and socks, should be washed at a higher temperature. Avoid mixing them with other items that require a lower temperature.
• Keep a stain removal pen in your handbag to tackle stains as they happen. This way, red wine or coffee stains are less likely to ruin your favourite garment. 6 pesky clothes stains and how to remove them
• Reduce the amount of detergent you use. A large amount can make your clothes dull and stiff. Use half the recommended amount and add half a cup of bicarb soda, which acts as a detergent booster. Ditch the fabric softener and save
• Wash dark clothing inside out to preserve their colour. The same goes for t-shirts – turning them inside out will prevent the print from cracking and/or fading.
• How to wash and dry woollens in winter.

Drying

If it’s not raining outside or you have a covered area, the sun does a much better job drying your clothes than your energy-consuming tumble dryer. By using a clothesline or drying rack you’ll avoid potential shrinking. This is particularly good for underwear and active wear, because heat breaks down elasticity, causing stretching.

Ironing

Lots of ironing isn’t always good for your clothes (which is great news for some!). This is mainly because most people don’t use the right temperature for specific garments. This can lead to shrinkage or burning that favourite shirt. A good rule of thumb is that you’ll get most light creases out by setting the iron one or two notches below what’s recommended. Also, make sure your iron is clean, so it doesn’t mark your clothes.

And when your clothes do reach the end of their life and aren’t good enough to donate, here’s what you can do with them, to avoid sending them to landfill.

You can also organise your shoes to keep them in good condition.

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