Tips on Caring for Your Clothes

We all have those favourite pieces in our wardrobe that we want to keep wearing for as long as possible. From your treasured statement piece to everyday essentials, giving your clothes a little extra care can make all the difference to how they look, feel and last.

At Brenda Muir, we know how important it is to look after the clothes you love. But with different fabrics, washing instructions and care labels to consider, knowing exactly how to care for your garments isn’t always straightforward.

That’s why we’ve put together a few simple tips to help you wash, dry, store and care for your clothes, so your favourite pieces can stay looking their best for longer.

How to Care for Your Clothes

Good clothing care starts with understanding what your garments need. Different fabrics require different approaches, so taking a moment to check the care label and think about how to wash and dry your clothes can help your wardrobe stay in great condition for longer.

Here’s our top tips:

1. Check the care label

   We’ve all been there, after a busy day, throwing a load in the washing machine without giving much thought to what’s going in together. But mixing your colours with your lights is a big red flag! Before washing anything, check the care label. It’ll tell you the recommended temperature, drying method or whether the garment needs to be dry cleaned. This is especially important for delicate fabrics, which often need a little extra care.

2. Think before you wash

   Not every garment needs to go straight into the washing machine after one wear. If something isn’t dirty or stained, airing it out can be enough. When you do wash your clothes, choosing the correct temperature and cycle can help protect the fabric and keep colours looking fresh. If you’re not sure, take a look at Ariel’s article on ‘How to wash your clothes’ for some useful tips.

3. Be careful when drying

   Once your clothes are washed, don’t forget that how you dry and store them matters too. Tumble drying can be handy when you’re in a rush, but air drying is often a gentler option for your clothes. As mentioned in The Guardian’s ‘Guide to make clothes last longer’, giving your clothes a little extra care at each stage can help keep them looking their best for longer.

How to Store Your Clothes

How you store your clothes can be just as important as how you wash them. We’re all guilty of squeezing one more jumper into an already full wardrobe, but giving your clothes a little more space can help prevent creasing and keep them in better condition.

Use good quality hangers for shirts, blouses, jackets and dresses to help them keep their shape, while knitwear is better folded to avoid stretching. If you’re putting away clothes for the season, make sure they’re clean and completely dry before storing them.

For more tips, take a look at Vogue’s guide to storing clothes.

Understanding Fabric Care Labels

At Brenda Muir, all of our pieces come with fabric care labels, so you’ll always know how best to look after your clothes. Whether you’re browsing our latest new arrivals or looking for something for a special occasion, it’s always useful to know how a piece needs to be cared for before sticking it in your basket.

The label will give you all the basics, from how the garment should be washed to whether it can be tumble dried, ironed or needs to be dry cleaned. This can be particularly helpful when you’re choosing something made from a more delicate fabric, as it gives you a better idea of the care it will need once it’s home.

If you’re ever unsure what the different symbols mean, Which?’s guide to washing symbols is a handy reference, while GOV.UK’s guidance on textile labelling has more detailed information to help you if you need it.

Repairing & Refreshing Clothes to Extend Wear

We’re all guilty of putting something to the back of the wardrobe when it needs a little bit of TLC. But before you decide a piece has had its day, there are a few easy things you can do to give it a refresh and get a bit more wear out of it.

Give your clothes a refresh

If you have a piece you don’t wear much anymore, why not give it a new lease of life? Upcycling can be a fun way to turn something you’ve fallen out of love with into something you’ll actually wear again.

Got an old pair of jeans with a rip? You could turn them into shorts, or even a handy tote bag. As mentioned in the BBC’s guide to making clothes last longer, finding new ways to wear and reuse your clothes can help keep them in your wardrobe for longer.

Repair rather than replace

Got a loose button, small hole or fallen hem? Don’t write the garment off just yet.

As Oxfam says, “Many small repairs are easier than you might think and can be done with just a needle, thread, and a bit of patience.” Sometimes a quick fix is all it takes to get a piece back into your wardrobe and give it a little more life.

It could be as simple as sewing a button back onto a dress or getting a hem repaired. If you’re not confident doing it yourself, a local tailor or alterations service can often help with those trickier jobs too.

Conclusion

When you find a piece you really love, you want to get as much wear out of it as possible. Taking a little extra time to look after your clothes can help you do just that, while keeping your wardrobe looking its best along the way.

So, whether it’s a piece you’ve had for years or something new you’ve just added, a little bit of care can go a long way.

And if you’re looking for something new, pop into Brenda Muir and have a browse. We’re always happy to help you find your next wardrobe favourite.