When you buy new clothes, you feel good wearing something new and trendy. However, once the same garment gets a bit old, it tends to go to the back of your cupboard or converted into an item worn at home or may even need to be discarded. We bring you a few ways to care for your clothes, to make them look new as well as last longer.
1) Read Wash Care Labels
It is very important to read the fabric care label on all your clothes. If the wash care label suggests a cold water wash or dry clean only, it is essential to follow those instructions. Doing so helps preserve these garments.
2) Always Sort Laundry
When you wash your clothes in a machine, they mix with each other as they move around. It is important to sort your laundry to protect your clothes from colour transferring, getting pulled due to metal zippers and so on. If you don’t sort your laundry, it could also damage those delicate items you would like to protect. So always sort your laundry before washing.
3) Pre-treat Stains
Always pre-treat any stains with a simple cleaning solution. Take a cup of water. In it, mix 1 tsp. of detergent and mix well. If you are hand-washing your garments, use a detergent powder. You can use Surf Excel Easy Wash for this as it is easily available in the market. Check the pack to understand correct usage instructions. Apply this solution on the stains and rub it gently using your fingers. Let it rest for 7-10 minutes and rinse under cold water.
If you want to use liquid detergent to remove stains, pour 3-4 drops of liquid detergent directly on the stained area and gently rub. Wash with plain water. Now, soak the garment in a soapy water solution. Mix 1 tbsp. of liquid detergent in ½ bucket of water and drop the garment in it. Wait for 30-40 minutes and then wash as usual.
4) Use Cold Water for Wash
While washing your clothes, use cold water for this task. Hot water affects the colour of your garments, while cold water helps keep this intact. Cold water also helps to prevent the fabric from shrinking. If you prefer washing your clothes in your washing machine, we recommend Surf Excel Matic Liquid as it has been specially formulated for washing machines. Check the pack to understand correct usage instructions.
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5) Use Mild Detergent
To wash your regular clothes, you may use your regular detergent. However, if you are washing expensive clothes, delicate clothes, embroidered clothes or clothes with embellishment, always hand-wash them using a mild detergent. Mild detergent is gentle on clothes, can work wonders and is completely safe to rely upon. We recommend Love and Care, which is available in the market. Always check the instructions on the pack to know how to use it correctly.
6) Wash Clothes Inside Out
Garments like denims or jackets should be turned inside out to keep their colour from fading. It is also important to wash them separately. These items when put to wash with others, can cause abrasion inside the machine and can damage other materials.
7) Say No to Overloading Your Washing Machine
If you prefer using a washing machine for your laundry, an important tip to know is to avoid loading your washing machine. Excess garments can limit space to move around in the wash. Also, the detergent will not get washed away effectively. As a result, your garments may come out of your wash untidy, and maybe with detergent residue.
8) Iron with Care
It is advisable to steam-iron those outfits which have accessories or work on them. This helps to avoid damage to fancy stones and embellishments on the clothing. First check the wash care label on the garment to understand if the garment can be ironed at home, and then check the product manual of your steam iron for correct usage instructions. For your regular clothes, check the wash care label on your garment to see the appropriate ironing temperature. Also, set an ironing order to make the work efficient. You may go by the order of collar, cuffs and then the rest of the areas.
9) Storage Method
Storing your garments correctly helps keep them in good condition. Always invest in good quality hangers such as wood. Hanging garments in your closet helps retain their shape and keeps them free of wrinkles. Avoid wire and plastic hangers as much as possible. When it comes to heavy garments such as sweaters, rolling and storing them on a shelf is a good option. If stored on hangers, these garments may stretch out and lose their shape. Avoid storing your garments away until they are completely dry. When you store partially wet garments in your cupboard, it might develop a foul smell. Damp condition is also a breeding ground for mould and bacteria.
10) Store in Dry Conditions
Always store your clothes in a cool and dry place. Humid environment can promote the growth of mould. Once in a while, keep the doors of your closet open for a while to allow air circulation. Also, after washing your garments, make sure they are completely dry before storing them away.
11) Correct Drying Temperature
Heat can cause your clothes to shrink. It is important to adjust the dryer after washing your clothes. Always check the wash care label to understand correct handling instructions. If you are skeptical, always dry your clothes in partial shade to prevent them from damaging due to heat.
12) Avoid Ironing on Stains
Before ironing, check the garment for stains. If you find them, avoid ironing that garment. As ironing on stains can cause it to spread further. It then gets difficult to clean. Thus, always re-wash the stained spot before ironing.
13) Avoid Overwashing
Washing your garments like denims, pants, woolens etc. frequently can cause damage. Wash them once in a while. Otherwise, you can always spot-treat the stains if any. To keep them fresh for longer without actually washing, you can hang them in your bathroom while you’re enjoying a hot shower. This helps refresh the garments.
There you go! Restoring life to your garments is simple. Try these simple tips and your clothes will look new and last longer.
Try to dress up after doing your makeup and hair. Just a spill of that mascara or a lipstick is enough to leave behind a pesky stain on your clothes. Even hairspray can fade the colour of your clothes. Alternatively, you can wrap a thin towel around your shoulders to catch the falls and drips.