Keeping Clothes Like New

No one likes it when colors fade, fabric wears out, and hems come undone. To keep your clothes looking as good as new, follow these tips to preserve washable and dry clean only garments. Your clothes will last longer with regular cleaning and care.

Don’t use plastic

Do not store clothing in plastic garment bags. The plastic breaks down over time and can interact with the fabric, which can weaken it or change the color. Plastic can also trap in humidity that can lead to mildew damage. Garments need to be able to breathe, so wrap them in plain cotton sheets or …

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Hang safely

Use wide, padded hangers for delicate fabrics so the material of the shoulders doesn’t stretch or wear out. Don’t cut hanger straps out of tops and dresses—use them to reduce stress on the rest of the garment. Hang suit jackets on wide wooden hangers to help them keep their shape. And give things room to …

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Clean before storing

HStains from seemingly clear substances like body oils, perspiration, white wine and sugary substances may not appear for some time. Once these have a chance to oxidize, they may show up as light brown or yellow splotches that are difficult to remove. Before putting away seasonal items for long-term storage, have them dry cleaned. Dry …

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Keep up with regular cleanings

Many garment manufacturers warn against cleaning too often—that’s because traditional dry cleaning can be hard on fabric over time. GreenEarth, however, is different. Our gentle solution will not harm fabric fibers as it cleans them because unlike petrochemical dry cleaning fluid, GreenEarth is chemically inert; it does not swell or rub fabric fibers during the …

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Don’t try it at home

If an item is labeled “dry clean only,” there’s a good reason for it. Don’t put anything in your washing machine that doesn’t belong there—it could shrink or become discolored, and the agitation from the machine will wear out the fabric faster. Don’t try to remove stains on dry clean items either; professional dry cleaners …

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Follow care label directions

Most people know they should read garment care labels, but something many people forget is to read the directions on their laundry detergent too. Don’t use too much—too many suds means the rinse cycle might not get all of the soap residue out of your clothing. And use the right kind—gentle detergents for delicates, and …

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Air dry

Dryer heat damages fabric over time. Electric dryers cause shrinkage, color fading, and weaken the material fibers. Instead, line dry clothing outside, or indoors on a drying rack. You can also hang garments on plastic hangers in your shower or on a tension rod in an alcove. If you simply can’t air dry, use the …

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