Much of the wear on clothing happens off the body. It happens in the washer, in the dryer, on the hanger and in a crowded closet. A few steady habits can add years to the things you like most.
Clean less often, but promptly when soiled
Every wash or cleaning causes some wear. Fibers rub against each other, colors fade a little and the fabric loosens. Many garments can be worn more than once before cleaning, especially layers that do not sit against the skin, such as jackets, trousers and sweaters worn over a shirt.
Air garments out after wearing. Hang them somewhere with good airflow overnight before putting them back in the closet. Brush wool suits and coats with a soft clothes brush to remove surface dust.
The other half of the rule matters just as much. When a garment is actually soiled, with a stain, sweat or an odor, clean it soon. Soil and sweat left in fabric can set, discolor and weaken fibers over time. A stain that sits through several more wears, or through a hot dryer, is much harder to remove.
Use the right hangers
Hangers shape clothes over time, for better or worse.
- Wire hangers are thin. They can leave bumps in the shoulders, bend under weight and rust. They are fine for getting a garment home, not for a closet.
- Wide, shaped wooden or sturdy plastic hangers support the shoulders of jackets, coats and suits.
- Padded hangers suit delicate blouses and lightweight dresses.
- Clip hangers or bar hangers keep trousers and skirts from creasing. Hang trousers by the hem or folded over a bar.
- Knits should be folded instead of hung, since their own weight stretches them on a hanger.
Choose a hanger that matches the shoulder width of the garment. Too narrow and the shoulders sag. Too wide and the ends poke into the sleeves.
Leave some space in the closet, too. Garments crushed together wrinkle, and they cannot air out.
Give garments rest
Clothes benefit from rest between wears, wool most of all. Wool fibers are resilient and will recover from wrinkles and stretching when given time. A day off also lets moisture from the body evaporate.
If you wear suits often, rotating between two or more lets each one rest. The same goes for leather shoes, which need time to dry out inside.
Treat stains early
The sooner a stain is treated, the better the chance of removing it.
- Blot instead of rubbing. Rubbing spreads the stain and can damage the surface of the fabric.
- Work from the outside edge of the stain toward the center so it does not spread.
- Use cool water on most fresh stains. Hot water can set some stains, such as blood and egg.
- Test any stain remover on a hidden spot first.
- Keep a stained garment out of the dryer. Heat can set the stain.
- Skip home treatment on silk, acetate and dry clean only items. Water and rubbing can leave rings or damage the finish.
When you drop clothes off for cleaning, point out every stain and say what caused it if you know. Different stains need different treatment.
Prepare clothes before washing
A minute of preparation before a load goes in prevents a lot of damage.
- Empty every pocket. Pens, lipstick and tissues cause stains and messes.
- Close zippers and fasten hooks and hook and loop tabs. Open zipper teeth and hooks snag and tear other garments.
- Think about buttons by garment. Many care guides suggest unbuttoning dress shirts, including the cuffs and collar points, so the wash does not pull on buttonholes and threads. On a loose knit cardigan, buttoning the front can help it keep its shape.
- Turn dark colors and printed garments inside out. This reduces fading and protects prints and surface finishes from rubbing.
- Turn knits and fabrics that tend to pill inside out as well.
- Use mesh laundry bags for delicates, lingerie and items with straps that can tangle.
- Sort by color and by weight. Heavy jeans and towels rub against lighter fabrics and wear them down.
- Do not overload the machine. Clothes need room to move to get clean, and a packed drum means more friction.
Avoid over drying
The dryer is hard on clothes. Heat and tumbling cause shrinking, fading and wear. The lint in the trap is fiber that came off your clothes.
- Use the lowest heat that gets the job done.
- Take clothes out as soon as they are dry, or just before.
- Hang items or lay them flat to finish drying when you can.
- Keep high heat away from anything with elastic or spandex. Heat breaks down stretch fibers, and they lose their snap.
- Air dry delicates, knits and anything the label says to keep out of the dryer.
Cotton that is dried too long feels rough and stiff, and repeated over drying shortens its life.
Handle deodorant and perfume with care
What goes on your skin ends up on your clothes.
Antiperspirants and deodorants can leave white marks on dark clothes and can build up into yellow stains on light ones, especially at the underarms. That buildup can stiffen fabric and, over time, weaken it.
Perfume, cologne and body sprays often contain alcohol and oils. Sprayed directly onto fabric, they can leave marks and can discolor delicate fibers such as silk.
The habit that prevents this is simple. Apply deodorant, perfume, lotion and hairspray first. Let them dry fully. Then get dressed. Be especially patient before putting on silk or other delicate garments.
Mend small problems early
Small problems grow. A loose button falls off and gets lost. A seam with a few broken stitches splits open the next time you sit down or reach. A small hole in a knit spreads.
- Tighten or sew on loose buttons as soon as you notice them. Keep the spare buttons that come with new clothes.
- Stitch small seam openings closed before they spread.
- Fix a falling hem before a heel catches it.
- Ease a snag in a knit back to the inside with a needle or small crochet hook instead of cutting it.
If a repair is beyond what you can do at home, have it taken care of before the garment is worn or cleaned again, so the damage does not get worse.
Choose garment bags that breathe
The thin plastic bag that comes over clothes from a cleaner protects them on the way home. It is not meant for storage. Plastic traps moisture, which can lead to yellowing, mildew or odors over time.
For storing suits, dresses and coats, use garment bags made of breathable fabric such as cotton or canvas. They keep out dust and light while letting air move. Take garments out of the plastic when you get home and hang them in breathable bags or in the open closet.
Read the care label
Every garment has its own needs. The care label tells you how the maker expects it to be cleaned. When a label says dry clean only, there is usually a reason, such as the fabric, the dye, the lining or the way the garment is built.
Questions about your clothes
If you have questions about a specific garment, call (281) 357-8600 or stop by the counter at 28145 State Highway 249 in Tomball.