These tips will keep your clothes looking their best and lasting longer, saving you money and reducing waste.
Washing
Before you wash
- Sort your clothes by colour (light and dark) and fabric (heavy and delicate).
- Empty pockets, zip zippers, and close bra hooks to avoid them snagging on other clothes.
- Turn clothes inside out to avoid fading.
- Always read the label carefully before washing new clothes and follow the care instructions.
Keep it calm and cool
- Wash your clothes on the coldest and gentlest cycle you can — double check the label if you're unsure.
- Most detergents work well in cold water, and as a general rule, the less detergent you use the better it will be for the longevity of your clothes.
- Washing in cold also reduces the number of microfibres that are shed from our laundry and can improve the health of our oceans.
Learn more about
microfibres and their impact on ocean health.
Drying
Get the hang of it
- Hanging clothes to dry is a great way to preserve their quality and extend their lifespan.
- Knit sweaters should be laid flat to dry to preserve their shape.
Using the dryer
- Choose a lower temperature and gentler cycle to make your clothes last longer.
Ironing
- Using irons on high settings can damage or strain your clothes. When ironing, use the lower settings as these will be much kinder to your clothes.
- Hang up your clothes immediately after drying to prevent wrinkles and reduce how much they need to be ironed.
- Try hanging a few shirts or pants in the bathroom while you shower. The steam will relax wrinkles and reduce ironing need.
- Always read the label carefully before washing new clothes and follow the care instructions.
Fabric care and pilling
Dealing with pilling
- Those tiny fabric balls, called pills, are caused by friction and are most common on sweaters, fleece, and soft fabrics. To remove them:
- Use a fabric shaver of sweater comb to gently removing pilling.
- Wash clothes inside out to reduce friction.
- Avoid overloading the washing machine — clothes need space to move freely.
Preventing fabric wear
- Store delicate fabrics folded instead of hanging, to prevent stretching.
- Use a gentle determent and avoid too much fabric softener, which can break down fibres.
- Rotate frequently worn items to give fabrics time to recover.