HOW TO EXTEND THE LIFESPAN OF YOUR CLOTHING? 

As a fashion consumer, the motivation to be more sustainable begins with your wardrobe. Each piece you choose and how you use them changes both fashion and your habits. 

We often talk about how fast production and consumption, fast fashion, degrade the planet, ruthlessly deplete resources, and how the linear economy needs to become more circular. Therefore, a fashion consumer’s need to buy only what they need and to use their pieces for a long time plays a key role in transforming these destructive processes. 

So, how can you extend the lifespan of your clothes? 

Here are our suggestions for wearing your favorite pieces for longer: 

Buy Quality Pieces 

The first rule is to buy quality garments that you can use for a long time without quickly wearing out, rather than pieces that you can only wear for one season and quickly need a replacement for. Allocating a bit more budget to purchase a quality, timeless piece that you can use for many years will always be a more environmentally friendly and conscious choice. 

Wash Clothes Less Often 

Another critical issue is to avoid washing your clothes frequently. This warning now appears even in the usage instructions of many products because frequent washing leads to clothes wearing out and aging faster. 

Follow Washing Instructions as Written 

In addition to washing less often, if you want to use your clothes for a longer time, it’s essential to follow the washing instructions to the letter. Remember that different fabrics have different strengths, so different pieces need to be washed at different temperatures. 

Reduce the Amount of Detergent 

Large amounts of detergent can be harmful to the environment due to micro-particles, and they can also fade and harden clothes. To prevent this, reduce the amount of detergent and add a little baking soda, which is known to enhance the detergent’s effect. 

Wash Dark Colors Inside Out 

To prevent the color of dark-colored clothes from fading, you should wash them inside out. The same applies to printed t-shirts; washing them inside out will prevent the prints from cracking and peeling. 

Tackle Stains Immediately 

One of your biggest helpers in trying not to wash your laundry often will be a stain pen. With a stain pen that you can throw in your bag and have with you at all times, you can quickly get rid of stains without waiting, and you won’t have to wash your clothes to clean them. 

Air Dry Your Laundry 

We all know how drying machines wear out clothes. Therefore, after washing your clothes, you should try to air dry them on a line as much as possible. Drying machines with high heat damage the elasticity of pieces, especially items like swimsuits and sportswear, remember. 

Fold Heavy Pieces Instead of Hanging Them 

It may sound strange at first; however, hanging heavy items such as sweaters, pants, and cardigans stretches the fabric and distorts the shape of the garment. As a result, clothes take on a shape that you would never want to wear. Therefore, instead of hanging them, folding them and keeping them on shelves will prevent your clothes from wearing out and help you use them for a longer time. 

Learn Simple Repair Techniques 

Think about it: How many pieces have you given up on due to a small tear, a missing button, or a broken zipper? Taking your clothes to the local tailor to repair damage in garments that have not yet reached the end of their lifespan is always an option. However, learning a few simple techniques and getting a small sewing kit to be able to fix small problems yourself is all you need! Repairing and continuing to use your clothes instead of throwing them away will be a great step for sustainable fashion!