As much as you want to wear your favorite clothes forever, constant wash and wear can damage clothes, dull their color, and make them unwearable. They may not last a lifetime, but there are a few things you can do to make your favorite clothes last longer.
Proper laundering can go a long way to ensure the good condition of your clothes. Read these tips to learn how to wash your favorite clothes properly. 
Understand the Fabric Care Labels
No, they’re not hieroglyphics or an ancient writing system. The symbols you see on fabric care labels are instructions for washing, drying, and ironing the clothes.
There are five basic symbols with variations to indicate the method of washing, the ideal water temperature to use, the bleaching guidelines, the proper way to dry the clothes, and the ironing instructions. Just remember what the basic symbols stand for, and it’ll be easier to understand all the variations.
If you want your favorite pieces to last, start paying attention to that little tag.
Sort Your Clothes
Separate your clothes based on the color and the fabric. White, cream, and light pastel clothes should be washed together while bright- and dark-colored clothes go together. The dye from bright- or dark-colored clothes can run and stain the light-colored ones if you don’t separate them when washing.
You also have to separate by the material. Delicate silk pieces need to be hand washed or washed in a gentle cycle so you don’t ruin the cloth. On the other hand, clothes made of thick and heavy materials, like denim, need a stronger cycle to be thoroughly cleaned.
Turn Clothes Inside Out
The color of your clothes can dull or fade over time, but you can make it last longer with proper laundering. Washing and drying can be harsh on your clothes. When your clothes rub against other garments, it creates pilling which affects the color of your clothes. If you want your black jeans to stay dark, turn your clothes inside out before loading them in the wash.
Use Cold Water
For dark clothes, wash them in cold water to preserve their colors. Dyes don’t run as much in cold water. Washing in cold water also lessens the chance of shrinking, and you save a lot of energy if you don’t use the heater. Most laundry detergents work well in cold water too.
Add Vinegar
Yes, vinegar has a strong smell. No, it won’t make your clothes smell funky. White vinegar can do a lot of wonders to your clothes. It removes most stains—ink, food, mildew, coffee, tea, sweat, and grass stains, you name it. Vinegar also preserves the color of your clothes and acts as fabric softener. The strong smell goes away in the wash.
Whiten Clothes with Baking Soda
Restore the brightness of your favorite white shirts with baking soda. Dissolve one cup of baking soda in four liters of water. Soak your white clothes in the solution for a few minutes, and you’re done. Alternatively, you can add one cup of baking soda per load. Throw it directly with the clothes not in the detergent dispenser. You can also use other solutions, like vinegar, citrus, and aspiring, to whiten your whites.
Line Dry Clothes
There are several reasons to line dry clothes. UV rays can disinfect your laundry, as well as brighten white clothes. However, it can also harm the color of dark clothes, so minimize their exposure to direct sunlight. Line drying treats you clothes better. Lots of things can happen in the dryer (e.g., snagged zippers, loose fibers, shrinking, and stretching). You can avoid this by hanging your clothes outside. In addition, you can save energy and money when you don’t use the dryer.
Get Rid of Used Clothes
Time will come when you can no longer wear your favorite clothes. No matter how much care you put in washing them, clothes inevitably get too old or too small for you to wear. If they’re still in good condition, consider selling your clothes online and earn some extra cash. You can use the money to buy yourself a new favorite shirt.
For clothes that are too old, you can repurpose them into usable, everyday objects, like quilts, scarves, pillows, and many more.
Final Word
Make your favorite clothes last longer by practicing proper laundering. Read and follow the fabric care labels. Separate your light-colored clothes from dark-colored ones. Turn them inside out to avoid pilling and use cold water to preserve the color. Bleach can be harsh to your clothes so look for other ways to clean and brighten your whites.
It’s easy to buy new clothes, but you may never find anything like your favorite pieces. Save yourself the heartbreak and take good care of your clothes
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Happy Laundering!
What are your tips for laundering your clothes so they stay brighter, fresher, and last longer too? Let me know in the comments! I love hearing from you!