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How to maintain clothes so that they do not deteriorate when washed?

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The fashion industry is the second most polluting industry in the world, and a large part of this pollution comes from the way we wash our clothes. Whether it's because we wash it the wrong way or because we wash our clothes too often, our clothes have an abnormally short lifespan. We often hear stories of sweaters that have shrunk when machine washed, clothes that burned when ironing, laundry that went wrong... All of this can be a little stressful so what are some good tips to adopt? What laundry products should you use? Which program to choose and when to wash our clothes? When and how should you iron? Don't panic, here is the ultimate clothing care guide. The process of washing clothes can often be overlooked, but it plays a vital role in preserving the look and quality of your favorite pieces. In this article, we present our guide to practical tips for maintaining your clothes so that they retain their shine and shape, even after many washes. You will find all the information necessary for the maintenance of espadrilles and slippers on our blog.



1. Read care labels carefully

Before washing your clothes, take the time to read the care labels. Each garment is unique and may require specific treatment. The washing instructions provided on the labels will tell you the recommended washing temperature, whether to wash by hand or machine, and other important guidelines. You will find them for example on the side seam of your T-shirt, for example here is an illustration of the care label of our T-shirt for women . Ignoring these recommendations may result in shrinkage, fading, or even permanent damage to your clothing.

What to do if you cut the care label?

If you have cut your label and you don't know how to care for a piece or what material it is made of, you can always wash your garment at 30°C. This temperature prevents overheating the wire and causing it to shrink. If you have any doubt, soak your piece in cold water to see if the color comes off.

2. Sort your clothes by color and fabric

When you prepare your laundry, sort your laundry based on colors and fabric type. White, colored and dark items should be washed separately to avoid fading. For more details on the maintenance of bright colors, an article is dedicated to the question on our blog. Additionally, separate delicate fabrics such as silk or wool from more robust fabrics like denim or polyester. This simple step helps prevent damage caused by friction between different fabrics and ensures optimal washing for each type of garment.

How to avoid making too many machines?

To avoid running an almost empty machine, we advise you to use a protective laundry bag into which you can slip the most fragile fabrics such as linen or tencel so that they do not get damaged on surfaces. rough like jeans. This also helps to retain polyester particles during washing so that they do not end up in water and oceans. If you have colored clothes that you are hesitant to put through a machine, we recommend soaking them. This way, the color does not bleed onto other clothes, so you can wash them with complete peace of mind.

3. Use the right detergent

Choosing the right detergent is essential to preserve your laundry. Opt for a detergent that is gentle and free of harsh chemicals, especially if you have clothes made from natural or sensitive fibers. Detergents specially formulated for delicate fabrics will help prevent premature wear and fading. Additionally, avoid excessive use of detergent, as this can leave a residue on your clothes and make them stiff or dull. There are specialized detergents for fragile textiles, whites or colors, the main thing is to use a detergent that is as natural as possible.

4. Choose the right wash cycle

Most washing machines offer a variety of cycles to suit different types of clothes. For delicate items, use a gentle program or a wool and silk program to minimize stress on the threads. For sturdier items, like jeans or cotton T-shirts, a normal or permanent cycle is usually appropriate. Avoid washing cycles that are too vigorous, as they can damage delicate materials and cause warping. Even on a simple cotton women's sweatshirt like ours, you can ruin the shape and color due to the wrong program. If you are hesitating between several programs, we recommend that you choose a program with a low temperature to protect the fibers of your clothes as much as possible.

5. Avoid high temperatures

Washing your clothes at high temperatures can cause shrinkage and color fading, especially for natural materials like linen and wool. Instead, opt for lukewarm or cold water temperatures, especially for colorful or delicate items. Cold water is not only gentler on fibers, but it also helps save energy, which is beneficial for the environment.

6. Pretreat Stains

Before washing your clothes, treat stubborn stains with a mild or natural stain remover. Cleaning a stain before it dries is the best way to remove it, simply use a little soap, wash the stain in cold water and put your garment in the washing machine. Avoid using bleach or harsh chemicals, as they can damage the fibers and alter the color of your clothes. Prefer gentle solutions such as white vinegar, baking soda or an enzymatic stain remover, applied directly to the stain before washing. Be careful, certain recipes based on salt or soda crystals can damage the thread of the fabric; they were used on older and more resistant textiles. The risk is that you will make a hole in the fabric.



7. Dry properly

Drying is a critical step in the clothing care process. If possible, avoid machine drying, as heat can cause the yarn to shrink and warp. Prefer to dry your laundry in the open air by hanging them on a hanger or laying them out flat. For items that can be tumble dried, use a low or medium heat setting and remove them as soon as they are dry to avoid wrinkling and overheating. Avoiding the dryer is one of the most important tips in terms of clothing care, a high temperature burns all threads regardless of their material, cotton, wool, or even polyester.




8. Ironing and folding.

Some people hate ironing, others iron all their clothes before putting them away, and still others only iron the pieces that really need it. However, it is important to know that ironing is really useful for taking care of your clothes. In fact, ironing or steaming clothes relaxes the fiber, making it more malleable and less brittle. So you will be doing yourself a favor by ironing a simple T-shirt and folding it gently, it will take up less space in your wardrobe, but above all it will extend its lifespan.

To sum up :

By following these simple but effective tips, you can extend the life of your clothes while maintaining their quality and appearance. Proper care not only ensures that your clothes remain beautiful and comfortable to wear, but also helps reduce your environmental footprint by minimizing the need to purchase new items regularly. In addition, some pieces are extremely simple to maintain if you follow these simple tips, for example our loungewear collection which is made up of cotton pieces. Take care of your laundry, and it will pay you back by remaining beautiful and durable for years to come.

To do :

If you have the slightest doubt, remember our very simple guide, sort white from colors, delicate textiles from robust textiles, or at least protect them with a suitable bag. Wash the stains beforehand by hand with a little soap or white vinegar. Choose a cold water program. Air dry then iron and fold your clothes. This way you preserve your clothes and the environment.

To avoid :

Avoid anything harsh like salt-based detergents, tumble dryers, or mixtures that promote friction (silk and denim). If you want to avoid the slightest risk, soak your fashion piece beforehand to prevent it from fading. All these tips will be of great service to you when cleaning your various fashion items, whether they are jeans, T-shirts or wool sweaters.