Clothes are a considered purchase, whether they are fashionable or practical they are valuable to you. Following the simple instructions outlined below for storing your clothing in the correct way will ensure you keep your garments looking their best for longer and get the most out of them.
If you have any clothing care solutions or hints and tips you would like added to these pages please use the contact and enquiries box to the right of the page.
- Any wardrobe or storage area must be cool, clean, dark and dry to protect your clothing from mould, fading, soiling or perishing.
- Before storing clothing away for any length of time ensure all outfits are thoroughly cleaned. Any residue left on the clothing may cause staining if left to set in over a period of time. Clean clothes are also less appealing to any bugs or insects that may wish to set up residence.
- Avoid using plastic bags and boxes to store clothing as any moisture will be trapped and may cause mould and mildew to form. Individually wrapping your garments in acid free tissue paper and storing them in suitcases will keep them protected and well also save you some space.
- Avoid hanging your knitted garments for a prolonged period of time as this may cause them to become misshapen. Instead where possible store knitted items folded or if hanging them for a short amount of time utilize the hanging loops inside to increase the weight distribution.
- Hair spray can be damaging to your clothing as it can contain alcohol which may cause colour loss in some garments. I you are using hair spray either use it before getting dressed or wrap a towel around your clothes to protect them while using it.
- Before washing close all zips, undo buttons, flatten out collars and cuffs and check all pockets are empty. This will minimize any damage to hardware on your garment.
- To avoid excessive abrasion and color loss turn all garments inside out before washing.
- Use good quality detergent and never more than is required. Follow the recommended guidelines on the packaging.
- Never overload a washing machine.
- Try to rest woolen garments in between wares to help maintain its original shape.
- Use shaped or padded hangers where possible as these are much kinder to your garments than wire hangers.
- When hanging clothing always make sure that the zips and buttons are fastened, belts are removed and pockets are empty.
- Do not over crowd your wardrobe or drawers as this can cause excessive wear and creasing to your clothing.
- Dryers can wear out your clothes and are also bad for the environment so where possible hang your clothing to dry.
- Do not over wash your clothing, for example if you have worn an item once and it still appears clean, hang it up until you need to wear it again. Over washing will cause the garment to wear prematurely and is also bad for the environment. If you stain an item of clothing spot cleaning the stained area immediately will avoid the mark settling into the cloth.
- Make sure you wear an apron when cooking, cleaning or gardening to protect your clothing, they are cheap to buy and even cheaper to make – see our video tutorials page for instructions.
- ‘A stitch in time saves nine’ mending small tears immediately will avoids larger mending jobs later – see our Refashionable or video tutorial pages for tips on mending.
- Throwing away clothing because of a lost button or small tear is such a waste, instead learn a few basic sewing techniques from our video tutorials page so you can make small repairs to your clothing as needed.
Wash Care labels:
Each fabric has its own qualities and so it is always best to follow wash care labels set by the manufacturer to maintain your clothing. This will help to avoid any washing disasters such as burning, colour run or shrinkage and ensure you get the best use out of your garments.
Below are a list of common wash care label symbols and their meaning:
Glad to be grey: Rachel Weisz walks onto the set of The Tonight Show With Jay Leno at Burbank Studios in Los Angeles
Dress rehearsal: Rachel first wore the frock to the premiere of her movie The Brothers Bloom in 2008
Couch cutie: Rachel chats to Jay Leno on The Tonight Show
Sports equipment
Until recently, many clothing companies were focusing only on the final product, and the profits that it would produce. Like many other industries, cost reduction was a high priority. Production was often outsourced to sweat shops with unethical business practices, fabrics were often treated with high levels of pesticides and other chemicals, and the creation of green house gases during the processing were rarely given second thought.
