How To Make Your Clothes Last Longer – Without Extra Effort

With every ripped knee and frayed seam, another garment goes down. Statistically, that often means adding to the 200,000 tonnes of clothing that Australians send to landfill each year.

The problem, of course, is that clothes are perishable. Our favourite jeans or go-to T-shirts won’t last forever. But it’s not a lost cause – from strategic washing to modern fabric care tech, there’s still plenty we can do to make them last a lot longer.

With that in mind, we’ve put together five simple tips to help you get more wear out of the clothes you love.

Buy for quality

The term “fast fashion” isn’t a compliment – and for good reason. Cheap, trend-driven pieces might be tempting, but if you want clothes that actually last, it pays to be more considered. Instead of buying more, buy better. Prioritise well-made garments in durable natural fibres like merino wool, linen and high-quality cotton. Spending a little more, a little less often, can make a big difference over time.

Air out and spot-clean between washes

Not every slightly worn shirt or lightly marked dress needs a full wash. Even the best washing machines can shorten the life of garments if they’re used too often. Instead of throwing everything straight into the wash at the first sign of dirt, consider spot-cleaning. A dedicated stain remover works well, but even a small amount of dish liquid and a damp cloth can take care of small stains. As for those whiffy tees – airing out will do the trick more often than not.

For delicate fabrics like silk, wool or even leather, newer fabric care solutions can make this even easier. Features like steam refresh and gentle airflow – such as those found in Fisher & Paykel’s Fabric Care Cabinet at E&S – are designed to refresh, deodorise and sanitise lightly worn garments without a full wash cycle. Plus, the cabinet comes in a sleek premium gray glass finish that won’t look out of place in a modern room or alongside dark cabinetry.

Repair it yourself – or find someone who can

While we’ve become accustomed to a disposable clothing culture, our forebears knew that basic skills like sewing and darning were invaluable for keeping clothes in good nick. And, if you want to wear your favourite outfit for as long as you can, you might consider learning those skills yourself.

With a little know-how, you can easily mend small issues like frayed hems and loose buttons, and it won’t cost you a cent (well, after the initial needle and thread outlay, of course). But, if you’re staring at a more substantial repair, there are plenty of professionals out there who’ll do the mending for you. Whatever it takes to keep those clothes on the hanger and out of landfill.

Store smarter

Wear and tear doesn’t just happen when you’re wearing clothes – it can happen in storage, too. Issues like dampness, moths and improper hanging can send good clothes down a bad road – so it’s best to know how to store your favourite pieces.

If your home is prone to condensation or mould, moisture absorbers in the wardrobe can help. If moths are eating tiny holes in your woollens, garment bags or moth repellents are worth the investment. As for hanging clothes – just make sure it’s appropriate. Knits, for example, should be folded and stored in a drawer, otherwise they can stretch out of shape.

Wash right

While many of us might be guilty of washing too often, clothes do need to be fully cleaned every now and then. The trick to keeping clothes in good condition after repeated washes can come down to a few settings on your machine and paying attention to the clothes themselves.

High temperatures can cause shrinkage and fibre damage, so a cold or low-temperature wash is usually the better option. A sSmart appliances like Fisher & Paykel’s Series 11 Front Loader Washer already comes with features like smart sensors that automatic load sensican auto-adjust your detergent dose, water and wash times based on the detected load size,ng and fabric-specific settings can also help reduce unnecessary wear.

And the same goes for the dryer. High heat can be harsh on clothes, especially delicate pieces. If you use a dryer, opt for a lower heat setting where possible. The Series 11 Heat Pump Dryer, for example, uses lower temperatures to prevent shrinkage and fibre damage. If you have the time and space, air drying is still one of the gentlest options available.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with E&S. Visit your nearest E&S showroom to see these design-led innovations in person – book an appliance consultation today.