What if you could keep those good vibes going longer, even between washes?
Clothes last longer when youwash them lessand bonus!
washing less means a lower energy bill.
If you live in certain states, you could evenget paid to skip laundry days.
You brew coffee at home, you dont walk into Target and you refuse to order avocado toast.
(Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
Also, hot water requires more energy than cold water, but cold water doesnt clean as well.
Steaming requires a bit of an investment and a time commitment.
Steamers run between $30 for handheld and $100 for upright options.
So, we tried it and lo and behold, our result was reduced funk.
Youll want to place your clothing in a storage bag and freeze for 2-3 hours.
You dont want to run a whole load of laundry for a single pair of jeans.
What do you do?
Throw them in the freezer and eke out one more wear.
Avoid Fabric Softener
Fabric softener doesnt just magically make your clothing and towels soft and fluffy.
It weakens the top surface of the fibers, essentially wearing down your clothing one wash at a time.
Still, no one wants to fold a stack of staticky laundry fresh out of the dryer.
Usewool dryer ballsto keep garments static-free and soft.
Gather some cotton fabric old rags or even underwear works great and place it in a glass jar.
Pour enough white vinegar to cover the fabric and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
That fresh scent can prolong the time between washes.
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Unlike freezing, this option does neutralize bacteria, so harness the power of the sun.
Simply hang or lay items like sweaters flat in direct sunlight for 15-20 minutes, if dry.
If wet, youll need more time.
Watch out for fading if the sun is too strong.
First, let it sit in cold water.
Hot water causes the stain to set, making it harder, if not impossible, to remove.
The American Cleaning Institute hasa guide for removing pretty much any stainknown to man.
Grab your favorite essential oil, high proof vodka or rubbing alcohol, and some water.
A good ratio is two parts water to one part alcohol.
Go light on the essential oil until you find your fragrance happy place you could always add more.
Mist your clothing or bedding and let it dry.
Bonus if you dry it in the sun.
And thats a wrap!
Oh, your new fabric spray works well on scarves, wraps, and shawls too.
Dry Clean at Home
Manufacturers sometimes use dry-clean-only tags as a precaution to cover their butts.
you’re free to wash most natural and synthetic fibers at home by hand.
If dye stains the cotton, get it dry-cleaned.
If wet washing by hand wont work, you might make your own dry cleaning kit.
Loaded with chemicals, the store bought kits cost between $10 and $15 for only 4 loads.
All you need is a zippered pillowcase and a rag soaked in vinegar and water.
Ring out the rag and place your garments and the rag into the pillowcase.
execute the dryer on medium setting for 15 minutes and your clothes will have a freshened look and feel.
Always professionally dry-clean silk, velvet, wool and leather.
And if a garment has sentimental value, trust it to the pros.
Contributor Veronica Matthews writes on lifestyle topics from North Carolina.
