Try washing your jeans less often and give up ironing.
1. Stop washing your jeans too often
Rare washing prolongs their life. This has even been confirmed by studies. Participants in one experiment wore jeans for 60 days. One group washed them every 2 days, and the other – every 20. It turned out that frequent washing makes the fabric less durable, and the color less vibrant.
Try to throw your jeans in the washing machine less often or wash them at least after the third or fourth wear in a row.
2. Use hot-melt patches
If you find a hole in your favorite jeans, do not rush to panic and run to the store for a new pair. A stylish patch will help solve the problem. It should be chosen much larger than the hole and the same color as the jeans, and when gluing, strictly follow the manufacturer’s advice.
This same life hack is also suitable for updating the appearance and adding a twist to old or boring things.
3. Give white sneakers a second chance
If you have tried all the methods to clean white sneakers or trainers, but nothing helps, try using dishwashing liquid. It creates a light foam that copes well with stubborn stains. It is enough to mix no more than one teaspoon of the product with a glass of water and shake until foam appears, and then gently rub the mixture into the material with a clean damp sponge or toothbrush and blot with a dry cloth or paper towel.
In the case when dishwashing liquid does not help, you can use special tie-dye dyes for clothes. They will not only mask stains, but also transform things.
4. Reshape shrunken cotton clothes
Fill a sink with warm water, add a tablespoon of fabric softener, laundry detergent, or shampoo, and stir thoroughly until the product is completely dissolved. Soak the shrunken cotton item for 30 minutes. When the time is up, gently and evenly stretch it, then rinse in cold water and dry as usual.
5. Trim fluffy items
If your favorite cardigan or sweater has developed a lot of pills after wearing it for a long time, don’t throw it away. Carefully remove the imperfections with a special machine or razor, and the item will be a joy to wear again.
6. Pay attention to hangers
Wire hangers can ruin clothes, in particular, they can distort the shoulder line. It is best to choose wooden hangers or hangers with a fabric cover. The first ones are great for heavy autumn and winter items like jackets, and the second ones are great for clothes made of delicate fabrics, such as velvet or satin.
7. Replace your iron with a steamer
The steaming process is much less traumatic for clothes than ironing, and steamers are great at removing creases even on the thinnest and most delicate fabrics, as well as on clothes with ruffles, lace and other embellishments. More powerful models can smooth out complex items with lining, such as jackets, raincoats or coats.
However, the device is unlikely to cope perfectly with very dense fabrics like denim or linen – here you will have to return to the iron.
8. Spot remove stains
Remember the point that it is better to wash jeans as rarely as possible? This principle should also be followed when caring for the rest of your wardrobe. If you put a stain on your sweater, don’t put it in the washing machine, but spot clean it. The result will be the same, but the clothes will avoid another wash cycle and thus will retain a decent appearance longer.
9. Use lavender
Put a few sprigs of fresh lavender or a sachet of dried lavender flowers in your closet. This will not only give your clothes a pleasant smell, but also protect them from moths. If you decide to use fresh lavender, do not forget to check it regularly so that it does not crumble or turn into small debris when drying.
10. Store clothes correctly
Fur coats and sheepskin coats should be kept in voluminous covers made of breathable non-woven material. It will not let in moisture, dust, or insects.
It is better to carefully fold jeans along the seams, smoothing out creases, and store them on a shelf, not on a hanger. Then you won’t have to iron them before wearing them. Knitted items should also be put away in the closet folded or rolled up so that they don’t stretch or deform.
For dresses, shirts, blouses and other items made of lightweight fabrics, use soft hangers with a velvety textile covering. This way, the clothes won’t slip off or wrinkle.