Summer might be good for backyard barbecues and long evenings, but it is not always kind to your clothes.
Between heat, sweat, sunscreen and deodorant, even favorite pieces can start looking worn very quickly.
According to Syed Obaidullah, CEO of The Jacket Maker, a lot of the damage happens when people wash clothes too often or too harshly in an effort to keep them fresh.
“In summer, people understandably want everything to feel clean, but the washing machine is not always the answer. If a jacket, shirt or pair of pants still smells fine and has no visible marks, give it some air before putting it through another cycle. Too much washing and too much detergent can wear down the fibers and make clothes look older than they are,” he says.
Do not put clothes away dirty, even if they look clean
Summer can be surprisingly tough on clothes, even when they do not look dirty. Sweat, deodorant, perfume and sunscreen can all sit in the fibers after wearing, especially around collars, cuffs, underarms and waistbands.
This does not mean every item needs to be washed after one wear. If something still smells fresh and has no visible marks, you can air it out and wear it again before washing, rather than putting it straight in the laundry basket. The key is not to mix worn clothes back in with freshly cleaned items, so keep them on a separate rail, chair or stand until their next wear.
According to the expert, people often put clothes back in the closet because there is no visible stain, but residue can still be there. That is when you start getting yellowing, stale smells or moth damage later on.
This matters most with clothes that only come out occasionally, such as summer blazers, linen shirts, eveningwear, knitwear and leather jackets. If they are going away for more than a few weeks, they should be clean first, not just folded or hung up and forgotten about.
“Before you store anything for the season, make sure it is completely dry. Even a little moisture can lead to mildew, odor and fabric damage. Leather should also be wiped down gently and kept away from plastic and direct heat,” he says.
Repair small problems before they become expensive ones
Loose buttons, tiny tears and worn seams are easy to ignore, but Obaidullah says this is where many clothes start to decline.
“A small repair usually takes five minutes, but leave it for months and suddenly the seam has split, the lining has torn, or the button has pulled away with a chunk of fabric. You do not need to be good at sewing to save your clothes. Reattaching a button, trimming a loose thread properly or closing a tiny seam can add years to a garment.”
The same applies to shoes and jackets. People often wait until something looks visibly damaged before they deal with it, but by then the repair is usually more expensive. A little maintenance early on is always better than emergency fixing later.
Use cool water for a quick summer refresh
Obaidullah recommends using a cool-water refresh for clothes that are still in good condition but feel a little stale after being worn in warm weather.
“The cool-water trick works really well on summer shirts, linen pieces, light trousers and anything that has picked up a bit of sweat around the underarms, collar or waistband. Run the affected area under cool water, gently squeeze out the excess, and then hang the item somewhere airy until it is completely dry. This is not a substitute for laundering, but it will help freshen the garment until you can wash it properly,” Obaidullah explains.
This can help cut down on laundry, which is important for linen, cotton, denim and items that lose shape easily.
Obaidullah explains that laundering your clothing wears down the fibers and, therefore, eventually makes them less wearable. The longer you go without laundering certain items, the longer your clothes will last, since you will only be laundering them periodically instead of after every wear.
He also recommends airing clothes properly between wears. “There are times in summer when a jacket, shirt or pair of trousers simply requires being hung near an open window for a few hours. Most people do not realize just how much simply airing out their clothes can help freshen them up,” he adds.
Drying matters just as much as washing
According to the expert, drying is one of the fastest ways to shorten the life of clothes if used carelessly.
“High heat is very damaging to fabrics. It shrinks fibers, weakens elastic, fades colors, and makes clothing feel rougher than it would otherwise over time,” he explains.
He suggests that you should use air drying whenever possible, especially for delicate fabrics, denim, knitwear and anything that has elastic. “If you do use a dryer, use a lower heat setting, and remove the clothes from the dryer when they are still a little damp. Over-drying is what makes your clothes stiff, faded, and more likely to crack or lose shape.”
He also advises against hanging knitwear to dry, as the weight of the water will cause the garment to stretch. Lay the item flat on a towel and reshape it by hand.
