How to care for clothes so they look new for longer
Simple habits that keep clothes looking new: reading care labels, washing less and cooler, drying gently, storing knits, steaming and shoe care.
The clothes you already own are the most sustainable and affordable ones you’ll ever have. With a few small habits, they can keep their colour, shape and softness for years. None of this takes much time. Most of it is actually less work than what we usually do.
Read the care label (once)
The label inside a garment tells you how the maker expects it to be cleaned. It’s worth reading when something new comes home, especially for knits, delicate fabrics and anything structured.
The main symbols are simple:
- Washtub: machine washable. Dots or a number show the maximum temperature. A hand in the tub means hand wash only.
- Triangle: bleaching. A crossed-out triangle means no bleach.
- Square: drying. A circle inside the square means tumble drying is allowed. A crossed-out version means it isn’t.
- Iron: dots show the heat level. One dot is cool, three is hot.
- Circle: professional cleaning, such as dry cleaning.
When a label says “dry clean only”, it’s best to follow it, at least until you know the fabric well. “Dry clean” without the word “only” often means careful hand washing is possible.
Wash less often
This is the single biggest change most people can make. Every wash causes a little wear, fading and shrinkage. Many clothes don’t need washing after every wear.
- T-shirts, underwear, socks and gym clothes: wash after each wear.
- Shirts and blouses: usually after one or two wears.
- Jeans: several wears, or when they actually look or smell like they need it.
- Knitwear: several wears, especially if worn over another layer.
- Coats and blazers: a few times a season, or spot clean as needed.
Between wears, hang clothes up to air out instead of putting them straight in the laundry basket. Spot cleaning small marks with a damp cloth saves a full wash.
Wash cooler and gentler
Lower temperatures are kinder to fabrics and colours. For everyday laundry, a cool or 30°C wash is usually enough with a good detergent.
A few more habits that help:
- Turn clothes inside out. This protects colours, prints and the outer surface from friction.
- Close zips and fasten hooks. They can snag other garments.
- Sort by colour and weight. Keep darks with darks and heavy items like towels away from delicate tops.
- Don’t overfill the machine. Clothes need room to move to get clean.
- Use less detergent than you think. Too much can leave residue and stiffness.
- Use a mesh bag for delicate items, lingerie and anything with straps.
Dry with care
Heat is hard on clothes. It can shrink fibres, weaken elastic and set stains.
- Air dry where possible. Hang shirts and dresses on hangers so they dry with fewer creases.
- Dry knits flat. Hanging wet knitwear stretches it out of shape. Lay it on a towel, reshape gently and leave it to dry.
- Keep bright colours out of strong direct sun for long periods, as it can fade them.
- If you tumble dry, use a low setting and remove clothes while they’re still very slightly damp.
Store knits and delicates properly
How clothes rest between wears matters as much as how they’re washed.
- Fold knitwear instead of hanging it. Hangers stretch shoulders over time.
- Use proper hangers for shirts, blazers and coats. Shaped hangers support shoulders. Thin wire ones can leave marks.
- Give clothes space. An overcrowded wardrobe crushes fabric and creates creases.
- Store out-of-season clothes clean. Moths and stains are attracted to worn garments.
- Use natural deterrents like cedar blocks or lavender sachets for wool and cashmere.
A tidy, well-spaced wardrobe also makes it easier to see what you own, which is the first step to wearing more of it. If space is tight, our guide to decluttering with cost per wear can help.
Steaming vs ironing
Both remove creases. They suit different fabrics.
Steaming is gentle and quick. It’s ideal for delicate fabrics, dresses, blouses, knits and anything with texture. It also refreshes clothes between wears and helps relax odours.
Ironing gives a sharper finish. It’s best for cotton shirts, linen, trousers with creases and anything that needs a crisp edge.
Tips for both:
- Check the iron symbol on the label first.
- Iron shirts while they’re still very slightly damp for an easier finish.
- Use a pressing cloth on dark fabrics to avoid shine.
- Steam from the inside of the garment where possible.
Look after your shoes
Shoes take the most wear of anything you own, and clean, cared-for shoes make every outfit look better.
- Rotate pairs. Giving shoes a day off lets them dry out and keep their shape.
- Use shoe trees or stuff leather shoes with paper to hold their shape.
- Clean and condition leather regularly, and polish when it looks dull.
- Protect suede with a suitable spray, and brush it gently when dry.
- Wipe trainers after wet or muddy days, and clean the soles too.
- Fix small problems early. Worn heels and loose stitching are easy repairs when caught in time.
Deal with pilling
Pilling is the small bobbles that form on knits and some fabrics where they rub. It isn’t a sign of a bad garment. Almost all soft fibres pill to some degree.
- Remove pills with a fabric shaver or a fine comb, using light strokes on a flat surface.
- Wash pill-prone items inside out, on a gentle cycle, in a mesh bag.
- Notice where pilling happens. Bag straps and seatbelts often cause it in the same spot.
A little care goes a long way
You don’t need to do all of this at once. Start with washing less and drying more gently, and you’ll see the difference within a season. Well-kept clothes also mean you can build a smaller, more versatile wardrobe, like the one in our capsule wardrobe guide.
Knowing what you wear
Caring for clothes is easier when you know which ones you actually reach for. Amalook organises your wardrobe from photos and shows you colour and style insights about what you wear, so you can see which pieces deserve extra care and which are waiting for their next outing.
