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I get so frustrated when my clothing looks faded, pilled, or just otherwise blah-looking after just a few washings.
I use Cheer detergent specifically for bright colors, I air-dry almost everything, we have a newish front load washer. Seems like it doesn't matter if I buy something cheap or expensive---if it's laundered in the washing machine it won't look nice for long at all.
I separate light from dark and just use regular detergent...the one for bright colors will fade dark colors faster and I don't like having to keep two kinds of soap.
I also just dry the clothes in the dryer, unless it specifically says hang to dry.
I don't overwash. Just because you wear something once (ex. a pair of jeans), doesn't mean you need to wash it. Wash when dirty, smelly, stained etc..
Use good detergent. I use woolite - woolite for darks (for darks) and regular woolite for lighter colors.
I wash everything in the delicate cycle. I also use a front loading washer.
I never dry anything in the dryer. I hang up everything, carefully spreading out wrinkles.
When needed, I handwash in gentle detergents.
I have a "depiller" device at home... a little electrical, hand-held "machine". Cheap. Really works.
If your clothes look bad after only a few washings, and you are doing all the things above (ESPECIALLY - do not dry clothes in a dryer), then maybe you need to upgrade the quality of things you are buying. Buy fewer items. Buy the best quality you can afford on deep discount at end of season sales. Never pay full price. Do research before you buy. Buy better quality fabrics.
I don't overwash. Just because you wear something once (ex. a pair of jeans), doesn't mean you need to wash it. Wash when dirty, smelly, stained etc..
Use good detergent. I use woolite - woolite for darks (for darks) and regular woolite for lighter colors.
I wash everything in the delicate cycle. I also use a front loading washer.
I never dry anything in the dryer. I hang up everything, carefully spreading out wrinkles.
When needed, I handwash in gentle detergents.
I have a "depiller" device at home... a little electrical, hand-held "machine". Cheap. Really works.
If your clothes look bad after only a few washings, and you are doing all the things above (ESPECIALLY - do not dry clothes in a dryer), then maybe you need to upgrade the quality of things you are buying. Buy fewer items. Buy the best quality you can afford on deep discount at end of season sales. Never pay full price. Do research before you buy. Buy better quality fabrics.
Thanks, I'll try using Woolite. I should have given up on Cheer for Colors a long time ago. I'll also try the delicate cycle. I guess I've always assumed that cycle wouldn't get the clothes very clean, but then it's not like most of my clothes have serious stains.
Are there certain fabrics or blends that you find hold up best? I happen to have one sweater that is 100% acrylic (which sounds awful to me) but it is several years old and still looks new. It has done much better than any cotton, ramie, polyester, rayon, or any blend of those that I've ever had.
Sweaters and knit tops (kinda like T-shirt material but dressier, and so comfy) seem to be the worst for pilling. Maybe I should buy more button up cotton/poly blouses, as those tend to stay newer looking.
Ah, yes yes... I forgot to list to turn everything inside-out. It really does help and decreases pulls/pilling.
And yes, delicate cycle is good enough for us grown-ups. I also spot treat my clothes before washing so if there any small stains/spots then I will spray those spots with a spot cleaner before throwing in the wash.
I will think about fabrics... Most of my nice silk, cashmere etc.. I hand wash, hang dry, a cool iron if needed. I agree that sometimes cheaper fabrics - especially polyester - can hold up great in the regular wash, as long as you are gentle with them. Honestly, I love some of my polyester blouses that look beautiful and like silk, but are much easier to maintain.
Very thin fabrics are riskier when it comes to knits. Check seams before you buy to make sure they are even, no pulls/strings hanging, and double seams are best.
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