How to extend the life of your clothes

This story is a part of one5c’s guide to sustainable fashion. Read more about fast fashion and the climate, sustainable laundry, clothing storage, upcycling, and repairing.

We’re conditioned to think newer is better: a hot workout trend, the spicy new flavor of potato chips, the slightly-modernized take on a trench coat. But when it comes to clothes, it can also be out with the old and in with the…old. Before hitting the shops and relegating your old sweaters to the thrift, or worse, the garbage bin, there are options to breathing new life into your duds. 

In the U.S., we buy more than 50 new garments per person every single year, and collectively send more than 11 million tons of textiles to the dump annually.¹ And the environmental impacts of all that fast fashion add up: The industry spews about the same volume of greenhouse gases as international air travel and maritime shipping combined, and manufacturing the synthetic fibers that go into cheap-as-dirt looks guzzles at least 70 million barrels of oil every year, which is an entire day’s worth of global production.^2,3

What’s that all mean? The best thing any of us can do is buy less. That involves, yes, clicking out of our favorite online shops and investing in pieces made to last, but also extending the life of what’s already in our closets. A commitment to a sustainable wardrobe means committing to taking care of the things we already have by washing and storing them correctly, repairing them, and finding creative ways to keep well-worn items useful as long as possible. Here’s what to know about extending the life of your duds.

Laundry

Washing your clothes too often, too harshly, or with the wrong level of heat can have a massive impact on how long they last. Overwashing weakens fibers, drains clothes of color, and can loosen hems and seams. There are, however, a lot of ways to maximize cleanliness without degrading materials—or feeling and looking the bad kind of funky. In many cases, spot cleaning with a spray of vinegar can lift stubborn stains, while a light spritz of vodka can eliminate smells. When it does come time for outfits to take a run through the wash, some simple tweaks to your detergent and washing and drying cycles can help minimize the impact a load of laundry has on your clothing—and on the planet. 

Storage

How we pack up our clothes—whether it’s hanging in our closet, folded in a drawer, or tucked away for next season—can make a huge difference in how long items stay beautiful and wearable. When it comes to longer-term storage, for example, you might want to reconsider plopping your garb into a plastic bin and shoving it under the bed: those popular storage containers can leach chemicals that risk staining or weakening fabrics over time when exposed to elevated temperatures—or worse, make a steamy environment that’s perfect for odors and mold. You might also be surprised how much common sense can do to extend the life of our duds: Good habits like checking pockets and for leftover crumbs gently cleaning pieces before cramming them into a closet or dresser go a long way.

Adjusting & repairing

There’s nothing worse than putting on an old favorite sweater or pair of pants only to discover a hole or tear—or that it just doesn’t fit anymore. Reviving those well-worn duds requires mastering a few bits of sewing knowledge that will help you either adjust or mend your clothing and make it just right again. Getting equipped with the basics can go a long way to eliminating clothing waste; consider, for instance, that a simple repair can extend the life of a garment by 1.3 years on average.⁴ Some tasks, like patching a hole or readjusting a button, are on the easy side, while others, like reworking a hemline or neckline, require a little bit more know-how. No matter your skill level, there’s a lot you can do to keep your clothes in rotation without running to the tailor—or worse, the dump. 

Upcycling

Growing tired of the way last season’s trousers, or craving a change in style? Before you run out to start fresh with a new wardrobe, consider upcycling the clothes you already have into a new and improved look. Some changes, like making new crop tops or jean shorts, require only a pair of scissors, but you can also pull out the dye, patches, paint, or thread to creatively refresh pieces. If you’re keen to flex some sewing skills, it’s equally possible to transform unworn garb into something totally new—like converting a dress into a matching set, and even transforming a blanket into a tote bag.