CONTRIBUTING EDITOR ~ JORDAN
Regardless
of whether you are a fashion diva or if you just stick to the basics, you have
likely made a significant investment in your wardrobe.
Everyday
wear and tear is hard on your clothes. Knowing how to care for and store your
clothing correctly can prolong the life of your favorite items.
The tag
found on the neck or down the side seam of your shirt provides your garment’s laundering instructions. Follow the directions to get the best from your clothing.
Also get to
know the settings on your washing machine. Delicate settings, for example, help
to preserve clothes and aren’t just for lingerie!
Overwashing
means you’re shortening the lifespan of your clothing, but stains can break
down the fabric just as quickly. Don’t let your dirty clothes linger in the
laundry hamper.
Avoid the
dryer if possible. High heat shrinks and fades material. Heat breaks down the
elastic fibers in clothes causing the garment to stretch. Did you know the lint you remove from yourdryer is fibers from your clothes?
Also, avoid
dry cleaning. It is costly, and the harsh chemicals used in dry cleaning can
harm fabrics.
Here are
some basic closet care tips for specific fabrics to help extend the lifespan of
your wardrobe.
1. Denim
Denim is the
staple of just about every wardrobe, and although denim is famed for its
durability, wearing it and making it last requires some care.
When
washing, turn it inside out and wash it in cold water, and on the gentle or delicate
cycle or even by hand, to prevent the color from fading.
Drying your
jeans or any other denim products at high heat can wear out the fabric and
shrink them. Hang-dry denim by laying it flat or hanging it upside down.
To fold your
jeans, lay them on a flat surface and fold in half from left to right. Take the
legs and fold them in half, so the hem of the legs is in alignment with the
waistband. Fold them in half one more time before storing.
2. Cotton
Cotton is a
universal favorite when it comes to comfortable, conforming clothing. It is a
natural fiber and can be found in everything from cheap t shirts to elegant gowns.
Because
cotton is super-durable, it can be washed in a washing machine with any
detergent, and bleach can be used if necessary. Wash cotton in warm water on a
normal cycle.
When drying,
tumble dry on a low setting. Heat from the dryer tends to take the natural
moisture out of the cotton. If your dryer does not have moisture sensors,
remove the item while it is still slightly damp and allow it to air dry.
Cotton
wrinkles easily. You can add a liquid starch to the final rinse cycle or iron
it on the highest iron setting.
To store
your cotton article, fold it
and stack or hang it on a hanger in your closet.
3. Moisture-Wicking
Just like
your denim and cotton, your moisture-wicking clothing, office uniform and gym
gear also need some TLC when it comes to laundering. Garment performance and
the life of the clothing depend on how you care for them.
Wicking
fabrics are state-of-the-art technical fabrics which draw moisture away from
the body, so they need a little more care than cotton. Moisture-wicking
clothing, such as shirts, is made from high-tech polyester and is designed to
absorb very little moisture, allowing the wearer to stay cool and dry.
Moisture-wicking
fabrics also include synthetically made fibers such as polyester, nylon or any
other fabric that has been treated with a solution that prevents water
absorption. Throwing this type of apparel in with the rest of our household
laundry and 100 percent cotton polyblends can break down its fabric, clog up
the fibers and wreck the material’s antimicrobial properties.
Don’t put
them in a hamper. Performance fabrics can be high maintenance, whether they are
sweat-wicking, compression, polyblends or UPF fabrics. The garment will
deteriorate quickly if it is left in an enclosed space. If you can’t
immediately wash your items, let them air dry before you put them in the
laundry bag or the hamper.
The best way
to wash wicking shirts is to either machine wash them in cold water or hand wash
them. Check the tag. If it states to hand wash, this means the fabric is
delicate or has been treated in a specific way.
Never use a
fabric softener. It leaves behind a layer that makes it hard for water and any
other cleaning aid to penetrate the fibers.
The best way
to dry this type of garment is to let it air dry. When air drying, dry them on
a rack to avoid any wrinkles.
Hang on a
hanger in your closet to prevent any wrinkling.
4. Cashmere
Soft,
luxurious and very high maintenance, cashmere is a tricky item to care for.
This exceptionally soft wool is a winter-time staple. The delicate, natural
fiber is eight times warmer than sheep’s wool, offering maximum warmth with
minimal bulkiness.
Cashmere is
one of the longest-lasting fibers around, and garments made from this material
can last longer than 25 years if cared for properly.
Contrary to
popular belief, you do not have to dry clean your cashmere. Regardless of what
the tag says, it is best to hand wash it with baby shampoo or Woolite and only
two times in a season.
Never hold
it by the shoulders, as this will stretch it out. In fact, when washing, leave it in a ball when you pick it up.
To dry, lay
it flat, pressing it gently with a towel. If the item is small enough, you can
use a salad spinner to get most of the water out. Then lay it flat to dry.
Try not to
wear cashmere against your bare skin. This prevents oils from your skin,
lotions or perfumes from affecting the fibers, resulting in less washing. Wear
a layer in between, such as a comfortable cotton t-shirt.
Fold your
cashmere in thirds to avoid a line running down the front of the sweater.
Store
vertically in a dresser, wrapped in tissue paper, and use cedar balls or blocks
to help protect it from moths.
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