How to make clothes last longer (20 easy tips)

Winner, would you like to learn how to make clothes last longer?

Great! Because in this post, I’m about to share with you 20 easy tips that will ensure your clothes last you years (yes, YEARS!)

Now that you’ve built a minimalist wardrobe and are looking forward to dressing well on your tight budget,

you want to ensure that your quality clothes last you for as long as possible before you have to replace them.

Well, guess what? With these tips, you finally can!

Now you’ll look great. AND save TONS of money at the same time.

20 tips to make clothes last longer

Tip #1: Buy ONLY high quality

This step surpasses all the other steps.

Because as long as your clothes are of high quality, the rest of the tips on this list stand a chance.

Let’s face it: it’s harder to make a shoddy piece of fabric last you months, let alone years.

But don’t get intimidated, Winner. Because quality does NOT necessarily have to mean expensive.

You can find high quality items for a much reasonable price.

Just know your fabrics. As well as your stores. And you’re good to go.

Tip #2: Make sure clothes are of a proper fit

Have you ever owned a pair of jeans that ended up wearing away inside your thigh area while the rest of the fabric remains intact? (I know I have!)

I’ve also torn jeans at their seams because they were way too tight.

Brace yourself still: I’ve also literally ripped my shirts underarms just by raising my arm.

Solution? Make sure your clothes are of a proper fit by allowing for some wiggle room.

Tip #3: Do laundry less often

Winner, you don’t need to do your laundry as often as you probably do.

If you learn how to work your capsule wardrobe, you can put together different outfits every day,

to last you a long time before you have to do your laundry.

And if you do your laundry less frequently, you’ll preserve your fabrics.

Tip #4: Wash clothes inside out

Doing this helps you preserve the color.

As well as cause less wear and tear on the fabric.

Because you’re doing most of the work on the inside of the fabric versus the outside.

Tip #5: Have a suitable home for every item of clothing

That might be a closet, a bag, some boxes, or a rack.

Whatever storage you have at hand.

And whatever your tight budget can afford.

The point is to have a suitable home for each and every item of clothing.

This saves you a lot of time too. Because you always know where to look each time you put an outfit together.

Important to note: you can still store your clothes properly without a closet.

For example:

Tip #6: Keep clothes out of direct sunlight

Beyond drying your clothes, take them out of the sunlight.

And that’s because the sun can fade the color, especially the darks.

Here’s a great tip for preserving clothes when you hand wash laundry: hang them in the shade to dry.

Tip #7: Replace any lost buttons

Nothing looks more unattractive on a piece of quality clothing like missing or broken buttons.

So, learn how to sew a button by hand, so you can keep your clothes looking expensive.

And save on tailor costs too!

Tip #8: Patch any tears

If you think a tear on the wrong area of your blouse renders it fit for the trash can, then think again.

Because you can still patch the tear without making the patch obvious.

That goes for burst seams too.

Remember to do everything tastefully. No shoddy work.

Tip #9: Hand wash laundry

Your hands are much gentler on your fabrics than a washing machine.

So then, use your hands.

BONUS: you’ll save on costs like buying a washing machine in the first place. And on your electricity bill!

Tip #10: Skip the soap, if you can

You’ll find that skipping the soap on darker items like jeans helps keep the color intact.

Without compromising on the cleanliness of the jeans, of course.

But for items than need soap, like shirts (to make sure those underarms are odor free), use less abrasive soap.

Tip #11: Soak clothes before washing

You’re probably overlooking this tip when it comes to how to make clothes last longer.

But it’s a very important tip.

Because soaking your clothes before washing them ensures that you get the dirt off your clothes at minimal elbow grease.

And thus preserving the fabric for much longer.

Tip #12: Have specific clothes for specific purposes

Don’t clean your house and/or yard in your work outfit.

Don’t jog in your jeans, either.

Instead, if you assign each piece of clothing to a to specific purpose, then you’ll definitely keep your clothes for longer.

Wondering about your shoes? Well, the same thing applies to them.

The whole purpose of these 7 must have shoes for women is to dedicate a shoe to a specific purpose.

So that your shoes last you a long time.

Tip #13: Read label specifications carefully

The specifications are there to teach you to how to handle each material appropriately.

In order to make the fabric last longer.

So, don’t skip reading them.

Tip #14: Do less dry cleaning

Besides costing more money, dry cleaning can be a lot harder on your clothes than hand washing. (2 cons you want to avoid.)

So, if your item can either be dry cleaned or washed at home, then choose to wash it at home.

And whenever you shop for new clothes, lean more towards the ones that can be hand-washed.

Tip #15: Recycle & upcycle clothes

Hold up, Winner!

Just because something is torn beyond repair doesn’t mean it’s fit for the trash can.

You can actually turn it into something else. Perhaps even better!

For example, you can make scarves, head wraps, purses out of torn dresses.

Also, before you through away those old shirts, why not harvest its buttons and zippers?

Before you throw away those old jeans, why not collect the thread so you’re not rushing to the store to buy thread?

Tip #16: Wash clothes with vinegar

Vinegar is that one versatile household product with a myriad of uses.

Including preserving the color on your clothes.

And you and I both know that keeping your colors intact helps make clothes last longer.

Tip #17: Keep clothes wrinkle free

If you keep wrinkles at bay in the first place, that means you’ll iron your clothes less often.

And less ironing means you can preserve your fabric for much longer.

Tip#18: Store dirty clothes separately

Odor is transferrable.

Just as much as one perfumed shirt can make all your other clothes smell amazing, one dirty shirt can make your entire closet stink.

But if you keep your dirty clothes away from your clean clothes,

you can get away with less frequent washing.

And that will definitely help preserve your clothes.

Tip #19: Exercise caution when ironing

The wrong setting can fade the colors of your fabric.

Not to mention burn your clothes.

Solution: test your iron lightly on the small of your fabric before going forward with the ironing.

And invest in an ironing cloth too.

Tip #20: Store clothes inside-out

And that’s esepcially important if you keep your clothes on a rack versus a closed closet.

You want to make sure that whenever sun comes in through your windows, it hits the inside of the clothes instead of the outside.

This way, you’re able to preserve both the color and the strength of the fabric.

The same thing goes for keeping whatever dust away from the outside of your clothes.

Summary

You definitely can learn to make clothes last longer by following the tips on this post, so you can dress well on a budget on your very own capsule wardrobe.

I hope these tips have been helpful to you.

In that case, please share your feedback by commenting: what are your own tips for making clothes last longer?