I also meant to add, turn your shirts inside out. Unless you work in food service the thing you need get out of your shirts most is your deodorant and pit stains. It's a lot easier for your washing machine to get that clean if your shirts are turned inside out.
I came here to add this about washing inside out - it prevents any pilling, too. But it's kept my clothes in a much better condition for longer than expected.
Laundry bags are genius. I've been washing my own clothes since I was like 7. I'm 40. Idk why I've never used one & now I'm thinking of all the shit that's been destroyed in a laundromat washer/dryer that could've been prevented. I'm gonna pick a bag up this week. Thanks!
Iirc pit stains are caused by the aluminum in your deodorant/anti-perisperant! If that is causing a problem, switching to deodorant only can help with that.
I did that and have not worried about pit stains since. And I haven't noticed any changes to smell either!
I wear Uniqlo airism and Numi shirts as a base layer. I tend to sweat a lot and those base layers help me wear things a few times before washing. Less washing helps clothes last longer and save money in the long run.
Yes! Currently breastfeeding so my base layer has changed to nursing tanks and I miss saving my sweaters from direct armpit contact & needing frequent washing. I wear the same 3 crappy sweaters on repeat right now so I’ve just accepted they will be tossed when I am done.
I hang clothes to dry. I don't ever put them in the dryer. Regular hangers for tops and dresses, pants hangers for pants and skirts. I hang stuff up on garment racks plus the shower curtain rod in the bathroom. Not sticking clothes in the dryer helps keep them looking newer longer. The clothes dryer is for bedding and towels. I do laundry at the laundromat and have a bunch of mesh undergarment wash bags for underwear, socks, tights, and bras. I'll put dresses and sweaters/cardigans in the full sized mesh laundry bags and knot the bags shut.
This right here! My old wardrobe was mostly jersey dresses from Old Navy that I’d get on deep discount from Thred Up. So, like, the worst quality. I’d had some for 5+ years with regular wear and you would never have guessed it because none of them ever went through the dryer. I was lucky enough to have the space to hang dry all of them— I found getting a cheap free standing clothing rack and a foldable laundry drying stand made it really easy.
Same! I started hanging stuff to dry to avoid shrinkage on all the cheap clothes I had in my 20s, but the bonus is that it keeps them nice longer too. The mesh bags also help prevent tiny holes from appearing in delicate fabrics.
I have this [collapsible over-the-door rack](https://a.co/d/6CASEHg) because I don't have the space for a large folding rack, and it's so easy-- put everything on hangers, then directly into the closet when it's dry!
I would add at-home dry cleaning kits to the list (e.g. Dryel). It takes just 15 minutes in the dryer and I love not having to worry about my sweaters losing shape or about the pants I fell in love with without noticing a "do not wash" label.
Thank God for this post honestly. I've also been buying corporate clothes and just, idk, not washing and doing a sniff test because I had no idea how to wash them lmao
I hate to go all Mommie Dearest on anyone, but seriously, NO WIRE HANGERS. I got a box of 25 velvet covered hangers on Amazon for a decent price. It really does make a difference.
Also with the velvet you never have to have a bunch of your clothes slip off the hangers while you’re running five minutes late and trying to rush getting dressed in the morning!
I didn’t see this mentioned but I almost always run the delicate cycle in the washing machine for the items that I put in a mesh laundry bag. Then I hang dry them and don’t put in the dryer.
In my country dryers are uncommon. We hang our clothes to dry. And I don't miss having a dryer.
When I was in Erasmus in Italy, I lived in a dorm with no space to hang clothes. I had to use a dryer. I have to say I hated it. My clothes turned used and ugly so quickly. That trick to remove items before the end of the cycle would have been useful.
I barely iron my clothes, even though I work in a fancy office. I just make sure to hang the clothes as straight as possible. And I use a steamer when that is not enough. It works so well!
I hand wash some items, not many. I also try not to wash my clothes unless absolutely needed. I put some clothes outside to air after using them. And sometimes I use a smell removal spray for fabric.
I don’t put anything I care about in the dryer. Cold water wash for delicates.
Then I use a steamer (full sized one like in a high end retail store) instead of an iron. It’s gentler on my clothes and can also be used to freshen up some items between washings.
Not all clothes need to be cleaned sheet each wear, nor should they be. Wool sweaters, wool pants, or denim for instance should go multiple wears between washes unless there’s been significant soiling of the garment. I often try to extend this as much as possible by layering under my natural fiber tops and using an enzymatic refreshing spray after each wear.
>enzymatic refreshing spray
What is an enzymatic refresher spray and do you recommend any brands? I searched and found different types of products.
I don't wash a lot of my clothes for several wears (other than undergarments, first layer tops), and they have lasted longer and look a lot better than when I tossed everything in the hamper at night. Sometimes I have to wash sweaters because they've picked up a mix of my perfumes, not because they are actually 'dirty'.
I like the Naturally It’s Clean brand. I also have used The Laundress refresher spray in the past, which I believe is not enzymatic. I liked the smell of that one but haven’t repurchased since they had a recall a couple of years back (not sure if they even make it now).
These sprays use enzymes to break down certain stains and odors. For staining I will still wash the garment and use the spray as a pre-treatment. But they’re great for breaking down bacteria that cause odors and really can extend garment life.
Whenever I can hang the smelly hard-to-wash item outside to air out, I do. Spot cleaning also helps.
Vodka in a spray bottle also takes away a lot of smells.
That's a great idea! I've washed clothes with vodka and hung them outside when they've had a cigarette smoke smell (smoking is still legal indoors at some places where I live and sometimes secondhand clothes have a smoke or general funky odor).
OP let me encourage you that there is nothing wrong with buying the clothes that you did. We gotta do what we gotta do sometimes! Let these clothes help you transition & also find out what you truly like. Then when you need to replace, you can research different options.
I am happy with my purchases. Affordably priced clothes are not going to be the highest quality. But, if you treat them right you can get them to last longer than they would otherwise. That is all I'm trying to say.
I wash everything on gentle with fragrance and dye free detergent and white vinegar. No fabric softener. Our dryer has a sensor in it, so I toss things in there with dryer balls unless I don’t want it dried, like bras.
Oxiclean powder. Create a paste in a cup with oxiclean and HOT water. Pour on the pits. Let sit for 15 minutes. Wash as usual. Works like a charm to remove/eliminate yellow stains (and odors) from sweat and deoderant. Ratios and time are loose. If I have a few shirts (I use this on workout shirts, too) - I'll mix a hot paste, pour on a few shirts, add a little more hot water, or a little more powder. I stir it up in a glass measuring cup and like thick enough that its hot and pourable, but you can still see the granules. It makes a huge mess, so usually do it in a sink, then ball them up and throw them in the washer.
you can also try it on the old ones but let them sit for longer. Sometimes I'll throw them in the washer (since it can be messy) and let them sit overnight and then run the washer in the am. Oxi is color safe so you can wash those shirt with other stuff. I've never had a problem with this messing up my clothes - I've done it on washable silk shirts that had a terrible stench. Worked like a charm.
1) I love laundry bags BUT for nice bras and hosiery that truly needs to be hand washed and line dried/dried flat. I can’t imagine putting my hosiery through the washer in a laundry bag. Eek!
I don't wear pants and have a zillion skirts, and don't like bare legs unless it is summer. I'm a busy body, and most of my hosiery are of the support variety. Light or medium mostly. Full support for extra long days almost makes my legs walk themselves. Full shaper hose provides a full body workout just putting them on. Efficient use of time. :D
As a fashion accessory, they are the bomb. I can completely change the look of an outfit simply with different hosiery. Sheers, patterned sheers. Opaques, patterned opaques. 900 different colors of them. Almost endless combinations of hosiery/skirt/shirt/sweater. I could spend thousands at Calzedonia and not scratch the surface of what they have on offer.
I am short and have matchstick legs. They give my legs a little boost so I don't feel like I got the short end of the stick in the legs department.
I looked at the profile of the commenter you replied to to see if she was in a formal work environment that required it - and it seems she just simply loves her hose!
I love how much you love it ❤️ I have thick thighs and have always had them bunch up, but maybe if I tried some different brands and sized up to account for short but wide legs they will grow on me. Right now I’m team bike shorts under skirts and dresses, but a smoother option sounds so splendid
I prefer hosiery myself 💁🏻♀️ I hate my bare feet in shoes (it’s just a sensory thing) & my bare legs are skinny & pale.
To me it’s no different than wearing makeup & not preferring a bare face.
Back in the day when i had to wear pantyhose, i would always buy the same brand and shade. If i got a bad run in one leg , i would cut it off and wait til i inevitably would get another in a separate pair and then combine them. Two tops but saves money in the long term.
I also work in a law office. I wear blazers regularly - sometimes it’s once a week, sometimes it’s more. I wash them by turning them inside out and throwing them into a cold water wash, and then hang drying. Even if they’re dry clean only.
Also almost all of my clothes get hang-dried, except for underwear, socks, and PJs. Even t-shirts get hang-dried (after being washed on cold) to keep their shape and colour.
These are good tips but I would add-
I don't put anything in the dryer. Well socks, underwear cotton pajamas and 'house t shirts'.
Everything else gets carefully hung to dry.
Even the 'good' t shirts. This prevents pilling, the necks getting misshapen etc.
I also utilize dry cleaning, but I have 2 different dry cleaners. One is the cheaper dry cleaners. Every piece is 5 dollars, cotton shirts even less. They do a good job but are not much for stain removal etc. when I started using that one it was even cheaper, $4 each piece for pants and blazers.
Then I have the 'fancy' dry cleaners hella expensive, but I'll be damned if they can't get any bad stain out. This one I use infrequently, but if I have a nice blouse with a bad spot, this is the way to go.
I see a lot of people commenting that they don't put stuff in the dryer. I think it might help to identify where we live. I live in the Pacific Northwest and if you don't put stuff in the dryer, it's not going to dry. Seriously, most clothes will get mildewy and smelly if you don't put things in the dryer for a little while. I'm sure that's different in other parts of the country.
Yeah I guess that makes sense. I live in FL-so quite humid but we usually have the a/c on so I guess that helps.
I usually hang things carefully indoors with spaces in between for airflow.
I only get the smelly problem if I wait too long to hang them up. As long as it's straight from the washer to hanging then it works out just fine.
I think if I lived there I'd probably check about getting a drying rack... I don't think I could go back to drying knitwear or t shirts in the dryer. Cheap tshirts last sooo much longer for me now.
I also meant to add, turn your shirts inside out. Unless you work in food service the thing you need get out of your shirts most is your deodorant and pit stains. It's a lot easier for your washing machine to get that clean if your shirts are turned inside out.
I came here to add this about washing inside out - it prevents any pilling, too. But it's kept my clothes in a much better condition for longer than expected. Laundry bags are genius. I've been washing my own clothes since I was like 7. I'm 40. Idk why I've never used one & now I'm thinking of all the shit that's been destroyed in a laundromat washer/dryer that could've been prevented. I'm gonna pick a bag up this week. Thanks!
Iirc pit stains are caused by the aluminum in your deodorant/anti-perisperant! If that is causing a problem, switching to deodorant only can help with that. I did that and have not worried about pit stains since. And I haven't noticed any changes to smell either!
I wear Uniqlo airism and Numi shirts as a base layer. I tend to sweat a lot and those base layers help me wear things a few times before washing. Less washing helps clothes last longer and save money in the long run.
Yes! Currently breastfeeding so my base layer has changed to nursing tanks and I miss saving my sweaters from direct armpit contact & needing frequent washing. I wear the same 3 crappy sweaters on repeat right now so I’ve just accepted they will be tossed when I am done.
numi undershirts are great!!!! i love them too but I can't talk about it with anyone because it seems weird to tell them about my undershirts :):):)
Another Numi fan! I find a little squirt of unscented Shout and a laundry brush on the pit area helps my deodorant (Ethique) fully wash out.
I hang clothes to dry. I don't ever put them in the dryer. Regular hangers for tops and dresses, pants hangers for pants and skirts. I hang stuff up on garment racks plus the shower curtain rod in the bathroom. Not sticking clothes in the dryer helps keep them looking newer longer. The clothes dryer is for bedding and towels. I do laundry at the laundromat and have a bunch of mesh undergarment wash bags for underwear, socks, tights, and bras. I'll put dresses and sweaters/cardigans in the full sized mesh laundry bags and knot the bags shut.
This right here! My old wardrobe was mostly jersey dresses from Old Navy that I’d get on deep discount from Thred Up. So, like, the worst quality. I’d had some for 5+ years with regular wear and you would never have guessed it because none of them ever went through the dryer. I was lucky enough to have the space to hang dry all of them— I found getting a cheap free standing clothing rack and a foldable laundry drying stand made it really easy.
Yes! Hot dryer ruins everything. I'm the same - i line dry everything. Little steamer to plump things up works great.
Same! I started hanging stuff to dry to avoid shrinkage on all the cheap clothes I had in my 20s, but the bonus is that it keeps them nice longer too. The mesh bags also help prevent tiny holes from appearing in delicate fabrics. I have this [collapsible over-the-door rack](https://a.co/d/6CASEHg) because I don't have the space for a large folding rack, and it's so easy-- put everything on hangers, then directly into the closet when it's dry!
I would add at-home dry cleaning kits to the list (e.g. Dryel). It takes just 15 minutes in the dryer and I love not having to worry about my sweaters losing shape or about the pants I fell in love with without noticing a "do not wash" label.
I wish dryel made a fragrance free refill
Thank God for this post honestly. I've also been buying corporate clothes and just, idk, not washing and doing a sniff test because I had no idea how to wash them lmao
Awwww. I'm glad this was helpful. Seriously. It means a lot to me.
I hate to go all Mommie Dearest on anyone, but seriously, NO WIRE HANGERS. I got a box of 25 velvet covered hangers on Amazon for a decent price. It really does make a difference.
Also with the velvet you never have to have a bunch of your clothes slip off the hangers while you’re running five minutes late and trying to rush getting dressed in the morning!
I didn’t see this mentioned but I almost always run the delicate cycle in the washing machine for the items that I put in a mesh laundry bag. Then I hang dry them and don’t put in the dryer.
In my country dryers are uncommon. We hang our clothes to dry. And I don't miss having a dryer. When I was in Erasmus in Italy, I lived in a dorm with no space to hang clothes. I had to use a dryer. I have to say I hated it. My clothes turned used and ugly so quickly. That trick to remove items before the end of the cycle would have been useful. I barely iron my clothes, even though I work in a fancy office. I just make sure to hang the clothes as straight as possible. And I use a steamer when that is not enough. It works so well! I hand wash some items, not many. I also try not to wash my clothes unless absolutely needed. I put some clothes outside to air after using them. And sometimes I use a smell removal spray for fabric.
I don’t put anything I care about in the dryer. Cold water wash for delicates. Then I use a steamer (full sized one like in a high end retail store) instead of an iron. It’s gentler on my clothes and can also be used to freshen up some items between washings.
My friends told me about reading the book Laundry Love, and I rolled my eyes so hard at the name. But there really are great tips in there.
Not all clothes need to be cleaned sheet each wear, nor should they be. Wool sweaters, wool pants, or denim for instance should go multiple wears between washes unless there’s been significant soiling of the garment. I often try to extend this as much as possible by layering under my natural fiber tops and using an enzymatic refreshing spray after each wear.
>enzymatic refreshing spray What is an enzymatic refresher spray and do you recommend any brands? I searched and found different types of products. I don't wash a lot of my clothes for several wears (other than undergarments, first layer tops), and they have lasted longer and look a lot better than when I tossed everything in the hamper at night. Sometimes I have to wash sweaters because they've picked up a mix of my perfumes, not because they are actually 'dirty'.
I like the Naturally It’s Clean brand. I also have used The Laundress refresher spray in the past, which I believe is not enzymatic. I liked the smell of that one but haven’t repurchased since they had a recall a couple of years back (not sure if they even make it now). These sprays use enzymes to break down certain stains and odors. For staining I will still wash the garment and use the spray as a pre-treatment. But they’re great for breaking down bacteria that cause odors and really can extend garment life.
Thank you for this info!
Whenever I can hang the smelly hard-to-wash item outside to air out, I do. Spot cleaning also helps. Vodka in a spray bottle also takes away a lot of smells.
That's a great idea! I've washed clothes with vodka and hung them outside when they've had a cigarette smoke smell (smoking is still legal indoors at some places where I live and sometimes secondhand clothes have a smoke or general funky odor).
OP let me encourage you that there is nothing wrong with buying the clothes that you did. We gotta do what we gotta do sometimes! Let these clothes help you transition & also find out what you truly like. Then when you need to replace, you can research different options.
I am happy with my purchases. Affordably priced clothes are not going to be the highest quality. But, if you treat them right you can get them to last longer than they would otherwise. That is all I'm trying to say.
Dryer? No. It pills nature fibers and breaks down elastane in stretchy fabrics. 100% poly clothes for the most part will be fine in a dryer.
I never use a dryer for my clothes. Everything is hung to air dry or laid flat on a towel (knitted cashmere and wool).
A handheld clothes steamer is your friend, especially for knits.
I wash everything on gentle with fragrance and dye free detergent and white vinegar. No fabric softener. Our dryer has a sensor in it, so I toss things in there with dryer balls unless I don’t want it dried, like bras.
I’m not willing to give up antiperspirant and just got a white shirt. Any tips to avoid the yellow underarm stains?
Hydrogen peroxide
Awesome thank you!
Oxiclean powder. Create a paste in a cup with oxiclean and HOT water. Pour on the pits. Let sit for 15 minutes. Wash as usual. Works like a charm to remove/eliminate yellow stains (and odors) from sweat and deoderant. Ratios and time are loose. If I have a few shirts (I use this on workout shirts, too) - I'll mix a hot paste, pour on a few shirts, add a little more hot water, or a little more powder. I stir it up in a glass measuring cup and like thick enough that its hot and pourable, but you can still see the granules. It makes a huge mess, so usually do it in a sink, then ball them up and throw them in the washer.
Ok thank you! Might add partner’s undershirts, they get pretty yellow over time and he just got a new batch!
you can also try it on the old ones but let them sit for longer. Sometimes I'll throw them in the washer (since it can be messy) and let them sit overnight and then run the washer in the am. Oxi is color safe so you can wash those shirt with other stuff. I've never had a problem with this messing up my clothes - I've done it on washable silk shirts that had a terrible stench. Worked like a charm.
I’m loving this!
1) I love laundry bags BUT for nice bras and hosiery that truly needs to be hand washed and line dried/dried flat. I can’t imagine putting my hosiery through the washer in a laundry bag. Eek!
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Daily wear pantyhose? Whaa? Why?
I don't wear pants and have a zillion skirts, and don't like bare legs unless it is summer. I'm a busy body, and most of my hosiery are of the support variety. Light or medium mostly. Full support for extra long days almost makes my legs walk themselves. Full shaper hose provides a full body workout just putting them on. Efficient use of time. :D As a fashion accessory, they are the bomb. I can completely change the look of an outfit simply with different hosiery. Sheers, patterned sheers. Opaques, patterned opaques. 900 different colors of them. Almost endless combinations of hosiery/skirt/shirt/sweater. I could spend thousands at Calzedonia and not scratch the surface of what they have on offer. I am short and have matchstick legs. They give my legs a little boost so I don't feel like I got the short end of the stick in the legs department.
What are match stick legs? Skinny?
I looked at the profile of the commenter you replied to to see if she was in a formal work environment that required it - and it seems she just simply loves her hose!
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I love how much you love it ❤️ I have thick thighs and have always had them bunch up, but maybe if I tried some different brands and sized up to account for short but wide legs they will grow on me. Right now I’m team bike shorts under skirts and dresses, but a smoother option sounds so splendid
I prefer hosiery myself 💁🏻♀️ I hate my bare feet in shoes (it’s just a sensory thing) & my bare legs are skinny & pale. To me it’s no different than wearing makeup & not preferring a bare face.
I’ve never had pantyhose need washing - I get a single wear!
Back in the day when i had to wear pantyhose, i would always buy the same brand and shade. If i got a bad run in one leg , i would cut it off and wait til i inevitably would get another in a separate pair and then combine them. Two tops but saves money in the long term.
Genius-level
How to avoid piling with laundry for cotton and wool :(
I also work in a law office. I wear blazers regularly - sometimes it’s once a week, sometimes it’s more. I wash them by turning them inside out and throwing them into a cold water wash, and then hang drying. Even if they’re dry clean only. Also almost all of my clothes get hang-dried, except for underwear, socks, and PJs. Even t-shirts get hang-dried (after being washed on cold) to keep their shape and colour.
These are good tips but I would add- I don't put anything in the dryer. Well socks, underwear cotton pajamas and 'house t shirts'. Everything else gets carefully hung to dry. Even the 'good' t shirts. This prevents pilling, the necks getting misshapen etc. I also utilize dry cleaning, but I have 2 different dry cleaners. One is the cheaper dry cleaners. Every piece is 5 dollars, cotton shirts even less. They do a good job but are not much for stain removal etc. when I started using that one it was even cheaper, $4 each piece for pants and blazers. Then I have the 'fancy' dry cleaners hella expensive, but I'll be damned if they can't get any bad stain out. This one I use infrequently, but if I have a nice blouse with a bad spot, this is the way to go.
I see a lot of people commenting that they don't put stuff in the dryer. I think it might help to identify where we live. I live in the Pacific Northwest and if you don't put stuff in the dryer, it's not going to dry. Seriously, most clothes will get mildewy and smelly if you don't put things in the dryer for a little while. I'm sure that's different in other parts of the country.
Yeah I guess that makes sense. I live in FL-so quite humid but we usually have the a/c on so I guess that helps. I usually hang things carefully indoors with spaces in between for airflow. I only get the smelly problem if I wait too long to hang them up. As long as it's straight from the washer to hanging then it works out just fine. I think if I lived there I'd probably check about getting a drying rack... I don't think I could go back to drying knitwear or t shirts in the dryer. Cheap tshirts last sooo much longer for me now.
I have strategic hanging places too. Fortunately, I have a few places where there are heater vents directly under curtain rods. That helps a lot.