“Sale! Up to 50% off!” says the female model in the television of your favorite clothing line. Who can resist buying new clothes if they offer half of its price this Christmas season?
We would love to put on new clothes on special occasions and parties. According to research in the US, an American buys a new garment at least once a week. That means there are 52 new additional clothes in the closet each year.
What happens with the old ones? Most likely, you are keeping the old clothes in a storage box under your closet. However, even when you rarely wear your old clothes, you probably have some favorite outfits, which you still want to wear to special events.
Over time its fabric wears down, so how do we keep old stored clothes fresh?
We want you to check out the best do-it-yourself tips on keeping old clothes fresh.
1. Wash and dry your old clothes every three months
Remember to wash your old clothes at least every three months, even if you are not wearing them. Washing them with hands helps to keep the fabric healthy and prolonging its life. However, if you are using a clothes washer, keep in mind to use a gentle cycle to avoid damaging it.
After washing the clothes, hang them on a rotary washing line as there should be enough space for air and sunlight to dry them. You may check on https://washingwoman.co.uk/ to find the best rotary washing lines.
2. Steam up your stored clothes every month
When you stored old clothes in a closed box, it decreases the quality of the fabric until it wears down. It would be best that you schedule to refreshen them by steaming it up every month.
Handheld clothes steamers are now available in the market. It is useful in keeping the fabric soft and wrinkle-free for a longer period. It is definitely the best device to keep your old clothes fresh.
3. Clean up the storage box
To prevent termites and bugs that eat up a hole in clothes fabric, we recommend that you clean up the storage box as well. You can use another type of handheld steam cleaner to kill the bacteria in it. And before you put them back in the container, there are different ways to preserve its nice smell and keeps it clean.
The first option is you can put a fabric softener (dryer) sheet inside the box as it keeps the clothes smell nice for a very long time.
Another option is to make a coffee ground as it absorbs bad odor that keeps your clothes clean and fresh. In this process, be sure to poke holes at the bottom of the container.
4. Use Vinegar
An alternative option is to store your old clothes in airtight containers with vinegar in it. This method keeps the fabric clean and fresh for a very long time.
5. Use air freshener
Similar to people that are looking for fresh air to relieve stress, clothes’ fabric is the same. It requires misty air to prolong its quality and still be ready to use at any time. We recommend that you use air freshener in storing your old clothes. It will keep them looking new and smell good.
Final words:
You may not notice it, but the clothes we wear help us remember some of the most beautiful events that happen to us. For example, the navy cashmere Burnham polo you used at your best friend’s wedding or your favorite maxi dress at your debut party.
Keep your old clothes because you never know when you needed it again. And keeping them clean and maintaining its quality is another thing. We hope that we presented you with helpful tips on how to take care of your old clothes.