For many people, clothing is a huge investment. Quality-made clothing, if taken care of correctly, can last for many years. Since there are many classic styles of apparel that will be fashionable again and again, it’s both cost-effective and environmentally friendly to make your clothes last as long as possible. Here are a few things you can do to keep your clothing looking like new over the years.

Organize Your Clothes

Of course, you have different clothes for a variety of occasions. While you probably spend the most money on work and dress attire, you still have a sizable investment in casual wear and intimates. Since you usually pick up the most dirt in casual clothes, you certainly wouldn’t want to wear your more expensive clothes while doing those casual-wear chores like cleaning or yard work. Different clothes are cleaned differently, so you always want to wear the appropriate clothing for the right task to optimize their longevity.

Eliminate The Dirt

There is a reason aprons were invented. There’s nothing wrong with wearing protective gear to protect your clothes. Some stains like grease or other cooking splatters can be next to impossible to remove. Even when working outside, it might be a good idea to wear some knee pads or other gear to protect your clothes from those hard-to-clean stains. Perspiration stains can be especially troublesome for some people and are one of the worse stains to get out of clothing. Excessive sweating, axillary hyperhidrosis, is a problem for many people. Luckily, there are some new products on the market like Qbrexza that can help with this issue. Reducing the amount of dirt and grime that can get on your clothing in the first place can help a lot with keeping them looking like new.

Use The Right Cleaning Method

Pay attention to those tags that are on every piece of clothing that you buy. They will tell you exactly how to clean the garment. Sometimes dry cleaning is a must. While the cost of dry cleaning can be a deterrent, its best to follow the cleaning instructions on the tag to maintain the integrity of the clothing. You also want to use the right cleaners and soaps. Unfortunately, cheaper detergents and softeners can actually harm your clothes causing them to fade or wear out early. You will find that spending a little extra money on laundry soap and softeners will extend the life of your clothes. You can even make your own eco-friendly detergent which will work very effectively while not adding any unwanted pollutants to the environment.

Safely Store Seasonal Clothes

Especially if you live in a seasonal environment where the temperatures can vary a great deal, you will want to store clothes in a safe place if you aren’t wearing them for a few months. Even in the cleanest of houses, pollutants can get into the air and will compromise the quality of clothing if it’s not protected. Regular use and cleaning will protect the clothes that you are wearing regularly. Make sure to store your other clothes in chests or sealed bins to keep them clean and safe.

Make Sure Your Clothes Fit Correctly

Of course, it’s a little depressing when you take those jeans out of storage from last year and they seem a little tight. It happens. Our bodies will change over the course of time. But that doesn’t mean you have to toss the jeans. Keep them as a goal for losing weight. Just don’t squeeze yourself into them to make you feel better. Not only will you be uncomfortable and not look your best, but you will also damage the seams and other areas of your clothing making both their look and durability fade much quicker.

There you have it! Five easy ways to make your clothes last longer. Just remember, always buy quality. Some clothes are made to fall apart no matter how well you take care of them. It’s worth spending a little extra money to save money in the long run. If you buy a quality garment and take care of it following the manufacturer’s recommendations, your clothes will last for many years.