Stop washing!

6 tips to extend the lifespan of your clothes

Cleaning experts claim that people who wash their clothes too often actually degrade their quality - and this is not the only mistake we all make

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06/04/2022

Wednesday, 06 April 2022, 23:42 Updated: 23:45

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This is what happens when you put a GOPRO camera into a washing machine (YOUTUBE)

You may not have known it, but your washing routine goes hand in hand with the lifespan of your clothes.

If you too have noticed that your clothes lose their quality after a number of washes, it may not be the fault of the clothes - but the fault of the person who washes them.

Luckily for you, Chatelaine experts have shared some tips to help extend the life of your clothes - and here are their recommendations:

Wash clothes less often

Simply put, if the garment is not dirty - do not wash it.

You should not throw away any clothes for laundry just because you wore them once when you went out to the neighborhood supermarket.

Wash it only after several wipes and only if it is dirty or smells bad.

For example, a thin sweater you wore over a shirt would be just fine for re-wearing, as well as jeans that can be completely worn several times before it is meant to be washed.

Only if the laundry stinks - wash (Photo: ShutterStock)

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Use less washing powder

Another common washing mistake is using too much washing powder.

According to our expert, Patrick Richardson, the powder "crystallizes on clothes over time and shortens their lifespan without leading to a cleaner result."

According to him all you need is just 2 tablespoons of washing powder for a full machine.

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Richardson also recommends using regular washing powder for commonly used items like sportswear and work shirts, and something more delicate for the rest of your clothes.

Do not overdo it with the powder (Photo: ShutterStock)

Wash carefully

Clothing items adorned with sequins, embroidery or lace should be carefully handled by reading the instructions on the label.

If in doubt, it is best to wash by hand gently and dry in the open air rather than a dryer.

Richardson also recommends using mesh bags that prevent clothes from getting tangled in the washing machine.

Avoid unnecessary heat

Using heat on clothes, whether it is hot water in the washing machine or using a dryer, will wear out the fibers of your clothes over time.

You can extend the lifespan of your clothes by rinsing with cold water and hanging the clothes to dry.

In addition, Richard advised: "If you are going to put items in the dryer, open the door every few minutes and pull out what is already dry. There is no need to leave them in the machine until all the items are dry."

You should not always use a dryer, especially not in summer (Photo: ShutterStock)

Use dryer balls

Not only do dry balls help your clothes dry faster, they also help preserve them.

Dryer sheets, on the other hand, will eventually destroy the breathability and odor of your clothes.

Skip the hangers

Hanging wet clothes is a sure way to shorten their lifespan, so try adding a fast cycle / rotation to the machine to squeeze out the excess fluid.

If you choose to go with hangers, use wooden or padded ones instead of the metal ones so that your clothes do not change their shape on them.

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