How to care for your clothes

Clothes are a part of everyone's life.  It is important to properly care for your clothes so that they will be sufficiently clean and remain in good condition for as long as possible.  Clothes that aren't properly cared for soon end up ruined or discarded because they just don't look as good as they used to. 

This article will talk about how to separate your clothes before cleaning, proper cleaning, drying tips, preventative care, repair tips, storage issues and more

Read on to learn about how to care for your clothes in the most effective manner.

How to separate laundry

Many people choose to separate their clothes into four categories: whites, lights, darks, and delicates. Each of these categories is then washed separately. If you choose to mix these up, you'll find that your whites become an unattractive, faded "off-white" color or worse--colors will run and your whites take on the color of other items in the wash. While you can get away with washing these groups together (except delicates), it's recommended you don't.

Whatever you do, do not mix brand-new garments with whites--colors on brand-new garments are most likely to run.

Whites
This category is easy--anything that is white except for delicates. Socks, t-shirts, pillowcases, underwear, etc.

Lights
Lights fit in the category between lights and darks. Pastel colors, patterned or striped white items, yellows, pinks, etc.

Darks
Anything items that are black or brown, or deep or bright colors, plus bluejeans

Delicates
Delicates include wool items, sweaters, satin, and any other luxury garments.

How to clean clothes

After they become dirty, wash your clothes in water with laundry detergent, unless care instructions printed on their tags indicate otherwise. Some types of clothing require special care. 

Use care not to pour an excessive amount of detergent; it may not rinse out sufficiently, causing your clothing to stain or smell too much like soap. It is best to wash very dirty items separately from the others.

Always remember to check the pockets of your clothes before washing them, as these may contain forgotten tissues, notes, money, etc. For stains that are difficult to clean, like grease or oil, use a spray stain remover before washing. Stains can "set" if they are allowed to dry; you might want to carry stain removal wipes for immediate cleaning after a stain first appears.

Bleach

Bleach is useful for eliminating stains and reducing discoloration, but should only be applied to white garments. If you were to directly apply bleach to articles of any color, you would severely weaken or destroy the fabric. Mix the amount recommended on the bleach label into the water after the washing machine is full of water, and then add the clothing. It is not safe to use chlorine bleach on some materials; check your clothing's care labels first.

Water temperature

Compared to warm or cold water, water at the hottest setting eliminates more dirt and germs. However, it uses more energy and can have an undesirable effect on some kinds of clothes, including types which are non-white, permanent press, or require delicate care.

Laundromats

If you use coin-operated washing machines and dryers, remember to check that they are empty and clean before putting anything in them. You never know what others may have left behind.  You can save money by bringing dryer sheets and detergent, rather than purchasing small boxes at the laundromat.

Don't leave your clothes alone in the laundromat!  Many people trust that others wouldn't steal their clothes--this is a mistake.  Leave anything unattended and you're inviting trouble.

Drying tips

Your clothes can be dried by using wooden racks, a clothesline, or an electric (or gas) dryer. Avoid drying them manually if the air temperature is low or humidity is high; they can mildew when drying too slowly.

For faster drying, occasionally re-position your outdoor racks for the best sunlight exposure. Don't dry clothing above any electrical appliance or wood stove, and use care to keep fabric items a minimum of 36 inches away from electric heaters.

Fabric softener dryer sheets considerably reduce static cling, especially in the winter when humidity is low. When ironing, use spray starch to make sharp creases and eliminate wrinkles if the clothes are only somewhat wrinkled beforehand.

Drying machines--Make sure your dryer is properly vented, and its lint tray has been cleaned out. To save electricity, consider partially drying clothes in a machine, then putting them on a rack or line to fully dry. Placing fewer garments in a dryer enables them to dry more rapidly.

Preventative care

In situations where staining or other damage is likely, remember to wear an outfit that fits poorly or is already in bad condition. Use a sharp scissors to cut off any loose strings, and sew holes before they worsen. If a button falls off, use care not to lose it before sewing it back on.

Repair tips

To fix garments which have been torn or had buttons fall off, you will at least want to have a needle, scissors, and thread of the appropriate color. You can buy thicker threads for longer lasting repairs and re-attaching buttons. More comprehensive sewing kits are available at Walgreens or Target stores for about $5-30 dollars, depending upon the items included. Some cities have shops which repair clothes and/or footwear.

Storage

When your clothes require storage for a long period of time, use care not to keep them in areas where they might be affected by insects, moisture, or rodents. Store them in air-tight plastic bins or bags with zippers. Cedar wood keeps moths away from wool and cotton clothing. You can use a cedar box, or buy pieces of finished cedar wood to place in storage bins and bags.

Following these recommendations on how to care for your clothes should help make them last longer and prevent them from being damaged. When possible, always remember to read any directions provided on individual articles of clothing, drying/washing machines, and supplies.