How to stop clothing looking worn out too soon
Short answer: Clothes look worn out from pilling, dull colours and slack cuffs. All three come from heat and friction in washing and use, and all three can be delayed considerably with a few simple habits that add no extra time to your routine.
Remove pilling regularly
Pilling can be removed with a fabric shaver without damaging the fabric, and a piece looks noticeably better afterwards. Do it every two or three washes, before the pills turn into actual knots that are harder to remove without pulling at the surrounding fibres. See all bamboo socks for men , where pilling tends to show most clearly.
Turn it inside out before washing
Friction in the washing machine always hits the side facing outward. Turn the piece, and the wear hits the inner side instead, so the side you actually see every day stays looking good for much longer. See washing and care for more habits that protect the fabric.
Keep the heat low
Heat breaks down elastane and loosens dye from the fibres faster than use alone does. Low heat in the dryer or air drying delays both processes considerably. See bamboo T-shirts for men , where the material is chosen specifically to handle gentle washing at low temperatures.
Wash less often than you think
Outer layers like jumpers and jackets can often be aired instead of washed after every wear. Fewer washes mean less wear over time, because it is the machine and the heat, not the wearing alone, that does the most damage to the fabric in the long run.
More pieces in rotation
If each piece of clothing is worn half as often, it typically lasts twice as long, because the load is spread across several things instead of hitting the same piece again and again. See bamboo undershirt for men , where more pieces in rotation make exactly that difference.
Close zips and buttons before washing
An open zip can cut into other clothes during the wash and pull threads loose in the process. Close everything that can be closed before the piece goes into the machine, so it does not wear on itself or the other pieces washed alongside it.
Do not overload the machine
Too much laundry in one load creates more friction between pieces and poorer soap rinsing, which can leave residue and make the fabric stiff. A half full machine wears less on each individual piece and also gives a better wash result over time.
Air dry rather than tumble dry
The tumble dryer is the single biggest factor that wears out clothing over time, because heat combined with movement hits the fabric from every side. See bamboo T-shirt for women , where air drying is recommended to keep shape and colour looking good for as long as possible.
Turn the habits into a fixed routine
The habits that protect clothes the most are the ones easiest to forget: turn inside out, wash at low heat, and do not overload the machine. Bundle them into a fixed routine, and they become automatic rather than something you have to remember each time.
Frequently asked questions
Can pilling be removed
Yes, with a fabric shaver. It does not damage the fabric and makes a garment noticeably neater if done regularly, before the pills turn into real knots.
Why wash clothes inside out
Because the friction in the machine then hits the inner side rather than the side you see every day, which keeps the surface looking good for much longer.
Do more pieces last longer
Yes. If each piece is worn half as often, it typically lasts twice as long, because the wear is spread across several things instead of the same piece again and again.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
