How to Keep Your Clothes Looking Brand New

Are you hard on your clothes? Do you give away alot of stuff through out the year because its faded or thinned? Has something been ruined from colors bleeding?

I don't. I take certain steps in laundering my clothing to keep it looking brand new and lasting for years! Here are a few of my secrets!


Don't automatically wear and wash.

If I only wear a top/dress/skirt for 2 to 3 hours, didn't sweat or get any stains on it. I hang it back up. Washing/Drying is hard on fabric. I usually get 2 wears out of a piece then wash it.


Throw in a color trapping agent!

I use Shout Color Catchers in every load of laundry that I do.

I swear by these! Since I started using them about 4 years ago I haven't had any laundry mishaps. NO BLEEDING! Woolite also has a similar product called "Dye Magnet" I've never used it, so I can't vouch for its use. Even if you don't separate your laundry, these are a MUST! After pulling bright colored clothes out of the washer, the color catcher is sometimes completely red from absorbing the bleeding color! *Disclosure: I buy this product!*

photo via Mama Cheaps

Separate, Separate, Separate.

This means more loads, but if you've ever had colors bleed you learned your lesson, I'm sure! We have four laundry baskets at our house. Yes, four.

1) Regular-any athletic clothes, bathing suits, undies, tee shirts, and around the house clothes.

2) White-for only white/light colored clothing!

3) Brights-any rainbow color

4) Darks-Blacks, Browns, Greys, Jeans, and Dark Shades

Even with all the loads, I still use Color Catchers to catch any bleeding dye!


Give your dryer a break!

Of the 4 different laundry baskets we have, only the regular load gets put in the dryer. I hang dry 80% of our clothing. We have a clothesline in the laundry room and a drying rack stashed in the closet. I personally believe that allowing most of my clothes to air dry has saved them. Plus, air drying is a little more environmentally friendly!

photo via Urban Clothesline
That's how my clothes stay looking new for so long. Do you have any more tips? How do you take care of your clothes?


Michelle, The Fierce Glamour
www.thefierceglamourblog.com

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