Could you give me your no1 tip to keep clothes looking nice?

[bigkidsdidit]

After being pregnant / bf / fat for four years I'm getting my act together. I'm finally clearing out my wardrobe and buying new stuff but for the first time ever I'm buying expensive stuff rather than half of new look. Trouble is I'm clearly not looking after my clothes properly now; my bra straps are grey, my jeans fade, my jumpers are bobbly.

Could you give me your tips on how to keep my new posh stuff looking nice?

Thanks :)

[Vivacia]

I'm afraid my answer is that if it's starting to look grey and my heart sinks to see it as I pull it out to wear, it gets replaced.

Look forward to reading some tips for better laundering, as at the moment everything gets a dash of fabric conditioner, liqui-tab and a 40 degree wash.

[RantyMcRantpants]

Wash, dry and iron everything inside out.

[mysteryfairy]

I separate everything to the nth degree so do a whites wash, a pales wash etc. Always wash jeans separately, inside out, cool and gentle spin. Never tumble dry them - in fact I only really tumble dry pants, school shorts and socks.
Wash woollens in a bag, using delicates liquid and programme and dry flat. Use a cashmere comb. I have friends who just bung everything in the wash together and I'm sure it shortens the lifespan of their clothes.

Day to day I iron (or send to an ironing service) all clothes except underwear and I really think this makes a huge difference to how good stuff looks though obviously doesn't make them last longer.

I also think the quality of your washing machine makes a difference. Have used cheap washing machines in holiday rentals and been shocked at how hard they are in clothes whilst failing to get them as clean. I currently have a Bosch but would get a Miele next time.

[wonkylegs]

Decent washing machine, not too hot a wash. Tumble dryer for underwear/socks/kids clothes and cotton shirts.

[CatAmongThePigeons]

Colour catchers are a godsend!

Dylon is amazing when you have clothes that have faded but are still otherwise excellent.

[wonkylegs]

Sorry pressed send too quickly .. Only
Separate colours & whites & use a colour catcher sheet.
I haven't got any greys after doing this.
My clothes last well , I rarely iron though

[bigkidsdidit]

Oh thank you everyone :)

Can't choose machine as I rent but will do all other tips.

Do any of you hand wash underwear like my mad mother?

[Thaumatrope]

Whites wash
buy a debobbler: it is a fact of crappy clothing sadly that jumpers bobble (not necessarily down to cost)
NEVER use a tumble dryer and hang things sensibly, i.e. shirts on a hanger to dry, get a proper airer, lay knitted things flat to dry

[bigkidsdidit]

Never use a tumbler

Is this where I'm going wrong?

[CaptainJamesTKirk]

Exactly what mystery says. As well as changing as soon as you get home from work and/or wearing a pinny when cooking.

[CaptainJamesTKirk]

And don't bother hand washing underwear... My washing machine has a lingerie cycle.

[Thaumatrope]

Tumble dryers shrink the arms and body lengthwise, make things wider, give a greyish bloom on some fabrics (they fluff up the looser fibres I think) and accelerate fraying at the hem.
I absolutely hate them.
My MIL is always trying to convince me to buy a 'new' tumble dryer, apparently they aren't the same as they used to be, but then I go and use hers if I'm staying and generally ruin at least one top and shrink my knickers.

[AndWhenYouGetThere]

I hand wash the padded/foamy bras but everything else goes on delicate.

[petrock]

Yes yes to Dylon - I've just re-blacked a load of faded favourite basic tops. Marvellous.

[Vivacia]

Does the Dylon dye everything , for example the thread on the hem, and make the clothes like weird? (The last time I used dye was in 1998 on some black jeans!).

[bigkidsdidit]

Thank you!

[Madamecastafiore]

Only tumble bed linen and towels.

[Layl77]

Iron everything inside out. The heat makes them look faded. Same for washing just wash as low as poss but whites Do come out better hot.
Use the sun on a washing line for stains

[onepieceoflollipop]

Agree completely with mystery's first paragraph.

Re white bras (and other white clothes, but especially bras), only wear once, maybe twice as they quickly go sweaty and grey ime.

Sometimes I soak really grubby stuff (school socks etc) before washing.

I never spin clothes above 800 as it really creases them and I don't think this is good for the fibres.

Hang stuff on nice hangers, not flimsy and definitely not wire.

I love woollite liquid for delicates. :)

I am not houseproud but very particular with laundry.

[CatAmongThePigeons]

Vivacia- it dyes natural fabrics, some polyester threads dont take too well but it can give a nice contrast

[onepieceoflollipop]

re jumpers, anything made of acrylic bobbles very quickly I find. I tend to buy jumpers/cardigans from Mantaray or White Stuff. I don't wash them often as this shortens their life. They have a high cotton content. If I am cooking or cleaning at home I change into a tougher sweatshirt type top rather than my nicer jumpers.

[bishboschone]

Use liquid detergents , most powders have bleach in them and I find powder harsher. Never tumble tops , dry on line or on airers .dont tumble denim it can mark it . Jumpers and tops with polyester will bobble regardless of what you do.

[YoniTime]

Lots of good tips here. The tumbler is defintely a big villain, it shrinks and fades and ages clothing.

[RenterNomad]

And the amount of fluff that comes out of a tumble dryer means clothes are getting thinner and thinner with every cycle... ugh.