It's always been important to look after our things in times when we could not afford to buy new ones all of the time. The main practice was to look after and pay it forward, to pass them on. Sometimes for 3, 4 siblings and cousins. Nothing to be ashamed of. My mum always said "clean clothes are as good as new and they don't transmit evil or diseases".
But in today's socially interactive environment, and in the current financial climate, where reselling what you no longer use or want, for whatever reason, became a common ritual, is something that adds value and credibility to your sales, and we hardly make a profit on it. Whether we're buying from someone else or selling our own things, it's near enough an exchange, where we minimise our losses whilst still being able to enjoy something that is new to us.
With this in mind, I thought it would be good to share my Gen X love with some nostalgic sustainable care tips. So that we can keep re-using and reselling all of those favourite garments and boldly expressing our very unique fashion statement.
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Fabric Fresheners: Remember the classic fabric freshener sprays? Make your own with water, a splash of fabric softener, and a few drops of essential oil. Lightly mist clothes to keep them smelling fresh without constant washing.
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Denim Care: Back then, people knew that washing jeans too often faded the colour. Instead, freeze your jeans to kill bacteria and odours without washing. Just pop them in a plastic bag and freeze over night.
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Sweater Shavers AND Lint-Rollers (Must-Have): Those little battery-powered fabric shavers were everywhere to keep sweaters pull-free. Invest in a modern version to keep knits looking new. And also for all of us dog owners 🐶, that lint roller is our undeniable BFF.
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Proper Storage: Keep clothes in breathable garment bags to protect from dust and moths. Add lavender sachets for a fresh, moth-repellent scent.
- Darks with darks, brights with brights: Always split clothes by colour or you will regret it. Especially if you're attached to some of them.
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Gentle Wash Cycles: Use the “delicate” cycle and mild detergents to protect vintage and delicate fabrics (such as wool). Air drying was big back then, too—keeps clothes from shrinking or warping.
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Wash clothes inside out: All but the winter ones, particularly the ones that have a soft/furry underlayer, as the washes will wear them out much quicker than daily wearing.
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Hang, Don’t Fold: Whenever possible, to avoid creases and wrinkles, hang items like dresses, jackets, and trousers instead of folding them. Padded or wooden hangers work best.
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DIY Stain Removers: A little baking soda and vinegar could work wonders for stain removal without harsh chemicals. And they work great with whites!
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Sun Protection: To prevent fabric fading, store clothes away from direct sunlight and use UV-protective window covers. Or always turn the clothes inside out, if you dry them outside.
Remember: what goes around comes around, so keep the clothes you sell as you would like to find them yourself when you find them at the charity shops. If it's damaged or overworn, then these are nothing but cleaning rags. If they're not good enough for you, why would they be good for someone else?
