We all want our clothes to look newer for longer, but few of us realise that the way we handle, store, and clean them make a huge difference to how they look. Washing your clothes too often, for example, can make the colours fade; while washing them in water that’s too hot for the fabric can completely ruin their shape. In other words, there is an art to handling your clothes, and it starts by avoiding these three common mistakes.
#1. Using Wire Hangers: Buying proper hangers can sometimes feel like an extra expense; and if you have a bunch of those wire hangers that you get from the drycleaners, you may be tempted to just stick to those. Sadly, however, wire hangers offer practically no support to your clothes, especially as their surface area is so small. So do yourself a favour and buy proper wooden hangers. They last for a long time and help your clothes retain their shape.
#2. Stuffing Your Shoes: When you’re not wearing your shoes, it makes sense to use a shoe tree or else stuffing them with clean paper. This will help them retain their shape. Moreover, shoes should not be left out when not in use. They collect dust, which can be quite difficult to clean off.
#3. Hanging Up Knitwear: Some people like to hang up their woolen sweaters on hangers, but the reality is that wool cannot handle the strain: gravity pulls the fabric down, leaving them with indentations in the shoulders and a misshapen collar. Knitwear, in other words, should always be placed on a shelf or in a drawer. Moreover, remember to always place wet/washed knitwear on a flat surface and leave it to dry naturally.
Are there any other tips and tricks you swear by? Let us know in the comments and help our readers keep their clothes for longer!
