How to Make Your Clothes Last Longer

I'll let you all in on a little secret: I haven't bought a new piece of clothing in over two years. Don't get me wrong, I love fashion and putting together a great look for a given occasion. But if you collect timeless pieces and take good care of them, you don't really need to buy as much — which, as an added bonus, also reduces your impact on the environment. Read on to learn how I keep my favorites looking fab for 10 years or more and how you can make your clothes last longer, too.

Look at the care tag before you purchase 

Laundering your clothes according to the instructions on the care tag is the best way to ensure they stay looking sharp as long as possible. But if you wait until you get your new outfit home to see what the tags say, you can easily set yourself up for a commitment you can't keep up with long term.

Check out the tags in the store, and be real with yourself: If you know you can't be bothered to take something to the dry cleaners, hand wash it or use the gentle cycle, don't buy it. Thinking you can simply toss it in the regular cycle with your gym shorts will not end well (I speak from experience). 

Use laundry bags to make clothes last longer

Many associate laundry bags with undergarments and other delicates, but they're super useful for making all kinds of clothes last longer. They keep dress shirts, dresses, sweaters, and tank tops from pilling or stretching out, and they protect the screen printing on graphic tees and sweatshirts from peeling. A set of laundry bags will last you for years while keeping your favorite outfits on rotation far longer.

Be mindful on the first washes

While color bleeding isn't super common, it can happen, and the last thing you want to see is an entire load of laundry turned pink by a new red T-shirt.

For the first few washes of a new garment, pay more attention to laundering with like colors, and use cool or cold water to minimize color bleeding. Color-catcher sheets, which you'll find in the laundry aisle at most retailers, can also capture bleeding dyes from the wash water before they can stain other fabrics. 

If you don't have many clothes of the same color, you can also consider laundering a new item on its own for the first few washes using the small load or auto-fill setting on your washing machine. This may sound like a waste of water and energy, but it's ultimately less wasteful than having to prematurely toss a basket full of clothes. If you do run into a color-bleed situation, taking action quickly can still save your stained clothes. This rundown from Fabricare can help.

Zip and flip

When left open, zipper closures can rub up against other garments during the wash cycle and lead to early wear. Extend the life of all your clothes by zipping up your pants and sweatshirts before tossing them in the washing machine. While you're at it, turn items you aren't washing in laundry bags, such as pants or jeans, inside out to minimize visible fading and help clothes last longer.

Use cold water and hang to dry

Laundering in warm or hot water makes your clothes fade and wear out much faster, and with modern washing machines and soaps, it's no longer necessary to use a hot water cycle in order to get clothes clean. While it's your choice if you'd like to hang dry everything — I personally tumble dry things like hoodies and towels to avoid that stiff and scratchy feel — skipping the dryer more often is generally best for most clothing, too.

Bleach with caution

I don't use bleach in the laundry myself, but if you do, proceed with caution. Bleach can wear away at clothing fibers over time, and if used incorrectly, it can even turn your bright whites to a pale yellow. Spandex in particular tends to yellow in a bleach wash, and even a small amount blended into a stretch fabric can cause a problem. Read the wash instructions on the bleach bottle closely, and avoid fabrics such as Spandex, silk or mohair. Bleaching whites less frequently, such as every few washes, can also avoid premature wear to the fabric and make clothes last longer. 

Practice those mending skills 

Even if you don't know how to darn a sock or use a sewing machine, basic mending is within reach for most people. When you see a seam begin to loosen or a small hole start to form, the sooner you take action, the better off you'll be.

At the first signs of wear-and-tear, it's generally pretty easy to see how the affected area should look and what's starting to go wrong. Often a few hand-stitches with a matching thread is all that's needed to correct it. This rundown on repairing a ripped seam and this video tutorial for invisibly closing a small hole can help, but once you get the hang of it, you won't need the instructions to get it right. 

Find a good tailor

Of course, if you wait too long, the tear can start to spread, and then things start getting much more difficult. If you've got a more complex situation on your hands — or mending simply isn't for you — then you may prefer to seek out a professional.

Finding a tailor or seamstress you trust changes the game when it comes to your wardrobe. Not only are their services great for mending, but they can also alter clothes to your measurements — taking an off-the-rack outfit from okay to excellent and letting you thrift shop to your heart's content while being less concerned about finding a perfect fit. 

Likewise, good shoes can last forever if they're re-soled, so try the shoe repair shop rather than the trash the next time your favorites look like they've seen better days. 

What are some of the ways you look to make your clothes last longer? Tell us about it at editorial@3blmedia.com to be featured in a future story on TriplePundit. 

This story is part of Shopping Month in TriplePundit's Sustainable Living Challenge, where we explore simple ways to buy less, keep things longer and shop sustainably as needed. Learn more and take the challenge here.