Men’s wardrobe care and maintenance: how to make your garments last longer

Although the world of fast fashion has accustomed us to repeatedly changing our clothes without much consideration for our wallets or the environment, the best way to manage one’s wardrobe is to prefer quality and care for it over time.

In fact, quality clothes should be cared for and preserved over time, following the manufacturer’s directions and other useful advice. Just like a plant, a garment must therefore be treated with care, so it will last for a long time or even for our lifetime.

But how do you care for a wardrobe, particularly for men? In this article we will give you some tips on how to keep your clothes in the best possible condition over time.

Proper washing: the basis of men’s wardrobe maintenance

The first step in keeping your garments looking like new is washing them. Every outfit, whether a single-breasted suit or a shirt or whatever, has its own washing instructions. Although these are often ignored, the instructions are provided for the very purpose of allowing you to have a suit that is always new or nearly new.

The labels you find inside the garments, provide you with different information on how to treat the fabrics, for example you will find: the temperature at which to wash them, the type of detergent to use, whether the garment can be machine washed, or you will have to wash it by hand or even dry clean it.

Also remember to separate garments of the same color and fabric. Although today it is possible to wash many different garments all at once, for best results, it is best to always try to separate colors and fabrics so that you do thematic washings.

Finally, make sure you use the correct detergents that are not too harsh and do not risk damaging the fabric. The correct amount can also make a difference, so again follow the instructions that came with your detergent.

Drying: avoid fabric damage

Another step that is often underestimated is drying clothes. In general, it would be best to dry clothes naturally, without using a dryer. This allows the fibers of the clothing to release moisture gently into the air, without being exposed to too much heat. For the same reason, if possible, also avoid direct exposure to the sun: the sun’s rays over time cause the colors to fade, to the point of making the garment look completely different.

Finally, if you really want to use the dryer, a useful solution in particularly humid and cold settings, set a low temperature so as to avoid excessive heat that can damage clothes over time. In addition, you can use dryer balls to prevent creases in T-shirts for example.

Storage: how to protect garments over time

Another point not to be underestimated is the storage of clothes, especially if they remain locked in drawers or closets, they should be properly placed to prevent them from becoming deformed over time. In general, there are two rules to follow.

Pants, shirts and jackets should be hung on hangers. Also pay attention to the quality of these hangers, however; try to prefer those with wide supports and not too thin, this allows the fabric not to warp too much.

T-shirts and sweaters instead fold them and store them in drawers or shelves. This prevents the weight from deforming their shape over time. Wool sweaters in particular, if not properly dried and folded, can stretch so much that they risk being ruined over time.

Also remember that your clothes, especially if made of natural materials, can attract harmful pests or insects. To avoid this you can use many natural methods or simply clean your closet recurrently. Finally for more valuable clothes, wrapping them in plastic covers can increase their safety.

Professional repairs and interventions

Finally, it is good to remember that with time, fabric wear is almost inevitable. No matter how perfect and high-quality a garment is, if worn often, seams, worn fabrics, small holes and so on can happen. In such cases, do not despair: turn to professional tailors who can repair that button, sew up that tear, and give your clothes new life.

This way you will spend little to still have your dress with you for a long time.