Proper clothing maintenance goes beyond regular washing. The way you handle, store, and care for your clothes between washes can significantly impact their lifespan and appearance.
To help you get the most out of your wardrobe, this article discusses some pro-level laundry tips to keep your clothes fresh and in top shape for a longer time.
8 Tips to Maintain Your Clothes Between Washes
These tips will help you smell fresh and look smart each time you step out without having to wash your clothes too often:
1. Let Clothes Air Out After Wearing
Worn clothes often accumulate sweat, odors, and body oils, especially after a long day. Instead of tossing them directly into the laundry basket or to the sofa, let them air out.
The reason is stacking up clothes that are still damp from sweat and body oils allows unpleasant odors to set in and might even affect the fabric’s durability.
Therefore, once you undress, the first thing you should do is hang your clothes on a breathable hanger and keep them in a well-ventilated area for a few hours. The only exception here is if you’re washing the clothes immediately after you remove them.
2. Spot Clean Minor Stains
A tiny spill doesn’t mean you have to wash the entire cloth. People make this mistake a lot, and it affects the fabric’s lifespan negatively.
The way to handle a tiny stain on your cloth without having to wash it entirely is to spot-clean the stained area. You simply have to use a damp cloth or a small amount of stain remover to dab the stained area gently.
Make sure to avoid scrubbing, as it can spread the stain or damage the fabric.
3. Rotate Your Wardrobe
We all know what it feels like to have a favorite dress, especially if it offers great comfort while enhancing our looks in a special way. This makes you want to wear the clothes over and over again, attending both formal and informal activities.
However, you know wearing the same clothes repeatedly without giving them time to rest can wear them out faster. Therefore, to ensure those favorite clothes last longer, rotate them frequently with other items in your wardrobe.
A good way to ensure effective rotation is to have a variety of clothes such as jeans and jackets, suits and corporate, and other casual wear. This ensures you have a few more clothes for each occasion.
4. Invest in Proper Storage
One of the first laundry care tips you can get from a professional is to invest in a proper storage system. This is because how you store your clothes and fabrics has a significant impact on their appearance and durability.
When you store clothes in a hot area, they’re prone to wrinkles and discoloration. Also, storing clothes in a damp environment exposes them to mold and mildew, which eventually damages them.
A pro tip on this is to keep your closet cool and dry to avoid moisture-related issues. Also, to avoid wrinkles and fabric damage, use padded hangers to hang your delicate fabrics, wooden hangers for structured garments, and then fold your heavy sweaters to prevent stretching.
5. Avoid Overwashing
How often you wash your clothes and fabrics determines how long they last. Washing clothes too often can lead to faded colors, weakened fibers, and premature wear.
The point is, you don’t have to wash your clothes after every wear. While many factors determine how often you wash your clothes, the ideal thing is to wash your everyday wear like underwear and t-shirts after every wear and other items like jeans after three to five uses. Clothes like outer jackets, blazers, and suits should be washed once every 3-4 months.
Also, you should learn to spot clean or air out items like jeans, jackets, and sweaters instead of washing them after every wear. Reserve full washes for when clothes are visibly soiled or emit odors.
6. Learn to Properly Fold Your Clothes
Improper folding can create creases or stretch fabrics. This is one of the fastest ways to damage your clothes or fabrics.
The best way to avoid creases and fabric damage from folding is to fold them along seams. For delicate fabrics, you may want to roll them tightly instead of folding them. Also, make sure to use dividers or organizers to prevent stacking too many clothes in one place.
7. Use Fabric Refreshers
If your clothes aren’t dirty but still need a little freshening up, you can use fabric sprays or homemade refreshers to have them maintain that “just-washed” scent. This is a pro tip most people in the hospitality industry use quite often.
To make your homemade fabric refresher, mix equal parts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. This works effectively to neutralize odors on clothes. Make sure to spray it lightly to avoid giving the clothes a choking scent.
8. Keep Clothes Away from Strong Odors
Your clothes can absorb strong smells from the environment, such as food, smoke, or perfumes. That’s why you should only keep them in a closet with pleasant, refreshing scents.
For example, if you keep your clothes in a well-ventilated closet with sachets of cedar and lavender, you’ll find them smelling pleasant and fresh all the time.
Conclusion
Maintaining your clothes between washes doesn’t have to be complicated. The goal is to keep them looking fresh, extend their lifespan, and reduce the need for frequent washing.
When you follow the tips discussed here, you’ll find it easier to maintain the beauty of your clothes for a longer time.
But when you want a more thorough wash and care for your clothes, ROAVentures has you covered. Our professional laundry services ensure your clothes are treated with care and returned to you in pristine condition. Schedule your next laundry pickup today and experience the difference.