It’s no secret that, thanks to fast fashion, Brits have  become something of a throwaway nation. But no matter how many trends may come or go, we’ve all got those treasured items in our wardrobes that we can’t do without. Whether it’s a pair of jeans that fit just right, or an occasion dress, over time through wear and wear, our favourites might lose their appeal. So to help you extend the life of the staples you’re not ready to say goodbye to, here are six simple tips…

Less can be more

While loading the washing machine might be something you just want to get over and done with, cramming all your items  into one wash isn’t the way to go. Think, too many clothes mean less movement, which equals more friction on the clothing and less cleaning. To ensure your load gets a thorough clean and encounters less wear fill the drum to ¾ full so there’s enough movement.

Dare to mix

Speaking of separating lights from darks, don’t be afraid to mix things up by using Colour Catcher. The handy laundry sheets prevent colour run accidents by trapping any loose dyes to allow the freedom to wash colours, patterns and whites together. Simply pop one sheet into the back of the drum before loading the drum and run a normal cycle with detergent.

Room to breathe

If you’re really not a big fan of loading the washing machine, you’d be amazed how much you can extend the time between washes for items such as jeans, jumpers and trousers by simply airing them out. Fun fact, fabric can hold odors, but these often fade within 24 hours if left to air out. 

Get creative

To give your favourites a new lease if the colour has started to fade, try DYLON Dyes easy to use machine pods. Available in a variety of colours, the dyes are perfect for revamping or upcycling garments that fit great but are on the drab side of the fab spectrum. 

Clean your cleaner

Did you know that limescale deposits can build up in the fibres of your clothes, making them feel rougher? For a quick and effective way to remove limescale deposits from your washing machine, use Oust Dishwasher and Washing Machine Descaler. Simply add the contents of 1 sachet to the drum and run a 60C cycle without pre-wash. 

Ditch the hangers

Yes, hanging clothes is definitely less time consuming than folding but for certain items folding is the better option. To preserve the shape of jumpers or any stretchy garments it’s best to fold rather than hang as overtime they might begin to sag. To spark a bit of joy, check out decluttering guru Marie Kondo’s KonMari method.