How To Take Care of Your Clothes

How To Take Care of Your Clothes

Keeping your clothes looking good for longer doesn’t have to be a burden just a few simple steps can lengthen the life of your items and increase the resell value.

Here are a few ways you can do this from The Turn team.

•  Wash Less
  Think twice before washing your clothes. Washing garments too often can cause damage to fibres and decrease the lifespan. This is especially true with dry cleaning which uses harmful chemicals that flatten the natural fibre follicles in some fabric.

•  Wash at low temperatures
  Wash your clothes at a low temperature with a gentle, natural laundry detergent. This will keep the fabric clean and soft, and help prevent colour fading. For an average shirt over a year, 80% of the emissions produced during the ‘in-use’ stage of its life cycle are from washing and tumble drying – washing at 30 degrees or less helps to reduce those emissions, while also protecting your clothes

•  Pay attention to care labels
  Different materials need different approaches to laundering. Wool should only be washed when absolutely needed, using a specific wool detergent on a gentle cycle or handwash. It is important to properly care for delicate fabrics such as cashmere and silk, which are particularly vulnerable to damage by harsh chemicals and heat.
  Pay careful attention to the instructions on the label, which advise you on the maximum recommended temperature an item should be washed at.

•  Avoid dry cleaning where possible
  Most delicate items labelled as “dry clean only” can be washed on gentle lower temperature cycles unless the item has trims or details that might become damaged in the washing machine. Dry cleaning is a highly chemical intensive process that has negative environmental impacts and can have a negative effect on textiles fibres and consumers skin. Where dry cleaning is the only option for the garment, look for environmentally friendly cleaners offering non-toxic and “eco” cleaning services.

•  Wash inside out
  It might seem odd but washing clothes inside out when machine washing protects the lustre of the item. And always avoid overfilling your washing machine as this can cause friction and damage the fibres.

•  Air Dry
  Air Dry your clothes where ever possible. This will help maintain the lustre of the textiles and help your items keep their original shape and structure. Avoid tumble drying your clothes this quickly damages fibres and uses more energy.

•  Store Properly
  Correct storage can really prolong the lifespan of a garment. Store all clothes in a cool and dry space. Protect them from damp, sunlight and heat. Make sure clothes are clean before storage as dirt and surface debris can attract clothes moths which will damage your clothes. Lastly it is important to not overfill your wardrobe (a challenge for the team at The Turn). Your clothes need breathing space, this will prevent wrinkling and colour loss from clothes rubbing together.

•  Repair
  Repair pills in knits, loose hems, or loose buttons as soon as you notice them. This will not only stop the issues getting worse it will also extend the lifespan of your garment.