Spring is here, which means longer days, increased energy, and more time outside. With this newfound energy, many of us turn to spring cleaning – refreshing, reorganizing, and redesigning our spaces. As someone who loves participating in this seasonal ritual, I've compiled my best tips and tricks to keep your wardrobe feeling fresh while reducing waste and saving money!
Keep reading to discover one of my favorite hacks – it involves your freezer!
Engage With Your Clothes
Get into the habit of examining your clothes after each wear. Treat any stains or snags as you catch them. This proactive approach ensures you can remove stains before they set and keeps your favorite items in rotation.
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Pro Tip: Our eco-friendly Stain Stick works wonders on fresh spots
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Local Resource: For knits that need expert care, check out Emma Mends Knits
Assess For Cleaning
Here's my hunch: most of us are overwashing our clothes. Did you know experts suggest washing jeans every 10 wears or less? Even T-shirts and sweaters suffer from overwashing.
The best indicators that something needs washing are visible stains and noticeable odors. Generally, clothes closest to your skin need more frequent washing, while outer layers can go longer between cycles.
I've implemented a three-zone system:
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Back on a hanger (clean enough to return to the closet)
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In the "rewear pile" (not quite dirty but not fresh enough for the closet)
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Into the hamper (ready for washing)
This approach prevents overwashing, which leads to fading, thinning, and stretched material. Adjusting your wear-between-wash ratio keeps clothes looking newer, longer.
Try This: A Sweater Stone can refresh pilled fabrics and give your clothes new life!
Store Your Clothes Appropriately
Have you ever hung a knit on a regular hanger only to find the shoulders stretched out later? I've been using this special folding technique for years and swear by it!
★ Bonus Tip: Store off-season clothes separately from your daily wardrobe. Not only does this preserve clothes you aren't wearing, but the act of rotating your seasonal wardrobe gives you a dopamine hit similar to buying something new!
The Wash
Choose Gentle Detergents
Harsh chemicals can wear down fabrics prematurely. Opt for gentle cleansers that clean effectively without damaging fibers.
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Sustainable Option: Tangie Liquid Concentrate washes up to 256 loads for only $23.99
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Budget-Friendly Choice: Our Liquid Laundry Detergent offers great value while being less expensive than many other competitors
Washing Techniques
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Turn clothes inside out to prevent friction-based fading and ensure proper cleaning
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Wash similar fabrics together to reduce abrasion
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Use cold water when possible to preserve colors and reduce energy consumption
Drying Methods
Line drying is the gold standard for preserving clothes, but when that's not convenient:
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Dryer Balls offer faster, more efficient drying while reducing static
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Linen Spray is a great alternative to single-use dryer sheets, which leave a coating on clothes that makes them water-resistant over time
Important: Avoid putting workout gear in the dryer. Heat breaks down the elastic in spandex and similar fabrics, causing leggings to lose their shape over time.
My Favorite Freezer Hack!
In winter, drying clothes outdoors works wonders - the cold air helps deodorize your clothes, leaving them smelling fresh. You can simulate this effect year-round with your freezer!
The Freezer Method:
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Dampen the entire garment (optional)
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Place it in a clean bag or container
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Pop it in the freezer for a few hours
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Remove and either line dry (skipping a wash) or include in your next wash cycle
This technique is especially useful for items that are difficult to wash frequently or for quickly refreshing clothes between full washes. This technique is not advised for heavily soiled or dirty garments as a replacement of a wash.
Conclusion
While spring cleaning might tempt you to buy new clothes and replace the old, there's a special pride in maintaining your wardrobe that simply can't be beat. These practices not only extend the life of your clothes but also reduce your environmental footprint and save money.
I hope these ideas inspire you to try something new with your clothing care routine! Stay tuned for my next post about how to upcycle and reuse old clothes in unexpected ways.
What's your favorite clothing care hack? Share in the comments below!
