Laundry 101: How to clean your clothes so they last longer & don't get damaged
Many people notice that their clothes often develop small holes, lose their shape, or feel different over time. Clothes may also shrink during washing, and stretchy jeans can become baggy with frequent wear. Additionally, there is growing concern about the sustainability of clothing choices. It's common to wash clothes after just a few wears.
Do your clothes shrink in the wash?
If yes, you’re washing clothes incorrectly and way too often.
There’s one super simple rule when it comes to washing your clothing.
If it doesn’t smell or have a stain, don’t wash it.
It’s that simple, and it isn’t that gross. Science says we can’t avoid the germs transferred in clothing even when we wash them.
Washing clothes is more about managing body odor.
If you bathe daily and don’t slop through the mud to get to work, you’re likely in the clear to avoid washing items “because you wore them a bunch of times”.
Below is my Stylist’s Guide to How to Do Laundry Care Right: keep clothes lasting longer, looking great, and a smart investment
Choose the coolest water possible
Unless removing icky, gross things (you know what I mean) that require bleaching and more intense cleaning cycles, avoid hot water use.
Use the delicate cycle for pretty much everything
Nothing else to say here.
Best for bras, lace, thin fabrics, soft cottons, textured or appliquéd pieces, drape-y tops, or items that could easily be misshaped if pulled on, etc. Mesh bags prevent the agitation to cause holes and other damage. They work wonders in protecting cheaper, fast fashion garments.
The dryer is the devil
Stop using it. The dryer causes clothes to shrink, pill, or deteriorate quicker over time. Hang dry everything or lay flat. If you have to use a dryer sometimes (short on time, a slight softer touch, etc), use the lowest setting and only dry until slightly damp to prevent the most damage.
Read the care labels, please
Some items may inconspicuously require professional cleaning. A quick glance will tell you if you’re about to murder your favorite shirt.
When in doubt, send it out
Some items are not actually labeled dry clean only, but if you are scared you could destroy something, send it to the pros. Is dry cleaning more expensive and worse for the environment? NO. If you’re following my simple rule, you’re not sending it out often!
Get a steamer
A lot of people use the dryer or send items to the dry cleaner to remove wrinkles and get something looking fresh again. A handheld or large standing steamer can do that for you. It’s also faster and doesn’t destroy your clothes.
Full transparency: I am so serious about this I do my own laundry. In NYC, it’s incredibly easy to pay someone else to do this annoying chore, but I worry others won’t keep the same standards as me and ruin items.
If I can do it, you can too!
One more thing before we go…
a common q: What if something (like jeans) stretches out? Doesn’t the dryer shrink it back to a better fit?
It is not necessary to use a dryer to shrink denim or another elastic item back to its original shape. With proper care and buying the right size, you won’t need to. The more you use it, the more a dryer breaks down the elasticity and material composition of clothes. Then after another wear, items relax to the stretched-out version. Hence, repeating the cycle.
Pssst…if an item has no stretch, the dryer still eats away at the material and stitching.
Remember: if it doesn’t smell or have a stain, don’t wash it.
Simply avoid washing and hang dry when you do. Treat your things with gentility and they will last longer!
How to clean cashmere
Hand wash is preferred
Dry cleaning is a viable alternative
Machine wash in a laundry bag on delicate is a last resort
The dryer will destroy it (holes, shrinking, etc)
You only need to wash it once or twice a season, if that
I love this wash. I use it. You don't need much. It's expensive. The bottle will last forever.
This stain remover will save your favorite clothes from having to be tossed or damaged.
Follow these hand washing instructions.
Remember:
If it doesn't smell or have a stain DO NOT wash it.
Consider spot cleaning as well.
Cashmere, in particular, does not need a lot of washing. It's a natural fiber and the high-quality cashmere I recommend will last better than being cleaned once or twice a season at most.
Add'tl tip:
Separate your hand wash items from your main laundry bin.
For ex: keep it in a laundry bag or bin divider.
This will help whoever does the laundry from accidentally tossing something into the dryer and they can clean the delicates all at once. Save time micro-managing laundry!
Want more outfits and less stuff?
Replace frazzled moments in front of your closet, wondering what to wear, with extra time to drink your tea, binge a show, or add moneymakers to your presentation.
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