Your Sustainable Wardrobe - 10 things you can do to make your clothes last longer

When it comes to building a sustainable wardrobe, one of the key factors is making your clothes last longer. By taking proper care of your garments, you can reduce waste and minimize your environmental impact. Here are 10 tips to help you extend the life of your clothes:

1.  Invest in a steamer

A clothing steamer is a handheld gadget that pumps steam onto your clothing while it's hanging up.  It smooths out the creases and refreshes the fabric.  It's kinder on delicate fabrics and woollens than a conventional iron, and there is much less chance of damaging a fabric than by ironing (which can cause burns and shrinkage).  A steamer can be used on most fabrics, and the only thing it can't do is create crisp neat lines or work on heavy creased fabrics like denim.  A steamer is quicker to use than an iron and means you don't need to wash items so often.  There are lots on the market, but here is one example:

2.  Wash clothes less often

Washing clothes less often saves you time, helps keep your clothes in good condition for longer and helps the environment!  By washing our clothes less often, we are preserving the fabric, and saving the water and energy involved in the washing process.  Instead, consider spot cleaning for marks and spills and hang your items outside the wardrobe to air after wearing, or use your steamer in between washes to keep fabric refreshed.  When you do wash, turn clothing inside out and consider turning the washing temperature down to prevent shrinking and colour running which could ruin an entire load.

3.  Use gentle eco-friendly laundry products

When you wash your clothing and home fabrics, opt for environmentally friendly yet effective laundry products that are gentle on your clothes and the environment.

4.  Ditch the tumble dryer

Using a tumble dryer can be very convenient especially during the winter.  But it uses a lot of energy and can damage, weaken and shrink your fabrics.  Line dry whenever you can or put clothes on a drying rack by a window or ideally outside whenever possible.

5.  Use a debobbler

The actual term is a lint remover, but debobbler sounds so much more fun!  My own debobbler has been a game changer for freshening up fabrics, especially knitwear that look past their best because the fabric has bobbled or pilled.  A debobbler has a head that gently removes the bobbles and pilling bringing your favourite jumpers back to as new freshness.  This is the one I use regularly, but if you're not likely to need one frequently, maybe consider sharing the purchase with friends or family members and take turns to use it?

6.  Do less dry cleaning

Dry cleaning is a chemical process, and some things must be dry cleaned - especially structured pieces like jackets and coats.  But, if you're willing to gently experiment, you might find that spot cleaning or using your steamer means you need to dry clean less often.  

The fabric care label will tell you the composition of your item and you could research how to clean the fabric at home.  For example, a lot of 100% polyester dresses are marked as dry clean only on the care label.  Polyester however, can generally can be washed at home on a delicate cycle in a cold wash and then gently hung up to dry.  Other delicate fabrics could be hand washed at home, saving money but also not being exposed to the chemical process of dry cleaning.  Please experiment carefully and always do a spot clean test on the fabric first where it cannot be seen, like on the edge of an inner hem.  If you're in any doubt, follow the care label recommendations.

7.  Store your clothes with care

As a personal stylist who looks inside countless wardrobes, I can tell you that storing your clothes carefully without doubt keeps them looking great for longer.  Use my Wardrobe Revival guide to organise your space so knitwear is folded and out of season clothes are carefully packed away in a dry space. 

Check regularly for moth damage and open the doors of your wardrobe to let in some light at least once a week to help prevent it.  You can use moth deterrents, and if you suspect you have moths, try and get all your clothes hung up outside to air for a day, and any that are damaged, fold them up in a bag and leave them in the freezer for a week.

8.  Keep spare buttons and thread

New clothing very often comes with a spare button alongside the price tag.  Keeping a small box of buttons and threads means you are more likely to be able to repair something should it be needed.

9.  Get good at repairs

Basic repairs like sewing on buttons, mending holes, and fixing hems are going to make your clothes wearable for longer.  If you don't feel confident doing the basic repairs yourself, you can watch some instructional videos on YouTube or ask a family member  or friend if they can show you what to do.

It's also important to take care of our shoes - getting them re-soled if needed and protecting the leather will make them last longer.  I use a saddle conditioner on all my leather products.  You might also need a supply of shoe glue in case things come unstuck!

10.  Use an apron!

Our grandparents had far less clothing than we do today, and my grandmother used her cumbersome twin tub washing machine her entire married life.  I very clearly remember that when she was cooking, cleaning or even gardening, she always wore an apron to protect her clothes.  How many times has something you own been ruined by oil splashes, sauce spills or cleaning product disasters?  Using an apron around the house will keep clothes from being damaged or ruined and is easy to whip off and wash - if you're creative you can even make your own!

I hope you've enjoyed my ten tips, but I'm intrigued to know, what would you add?  Do share in the comments below!