10 ways to extend your clothes’ life

It’s very exhausting to find yourself looking in your closet and regretting having put that one sweatshirt in the washing machine, or staring at the stain in your favorite white shirt that never went away completely.  

No worries! We’ve all been there, and we’re confident we all want to learn from it so it doesn’t happen again. Here at Green Capsule & Co we want to make sure the community is well informed, so we took the time to go over several pages online to make a brief 10 point summary of what we believe are the best practices for you to start incorporating.

If you have been following our social media (Instagram and TikTok) I’m sure you already know of a couple of them, but here are the complete 10 ways you can extend your clothes’ life!

1. Follow the labels

Image 1. Sustainable Laundry Practices, Colorado State University (2025)

This one might even seem like common sense, but how often have you find yourself cutting the labels from clothes because it makes your skin itchy and uncomfortable, before realizing that there’s actually relevant information in there? (it happens even to the best of us). It serves as a helpful reminder that labels are there for a reason. 

These labels offer specific washing guidelines tailored to each material. Incorrectly understanding these labels may result in fabric shrinking or harm. Fragile items, might need hand-washing clothing or employing specialized clothing cleaning services. So maybe next time if you are doubting, cut the label but keep it somewhere safe just in case. 

2. Flip the clothing around for washing

This reduces surface wear on the exterior of your clothing and aids in avoiding color loss, particularly in darker pieces. This method is particularly beneficial for denim and various materials that are more likely to get damaged during the washing process. And a bonus! If you incorporate this tip, it is more likely that the cleaning of areas that are in direct contact with your sweat get cleaned better (bye bye to bad smelling clothes after washing :D).

3. Wash in cold water

This one might seem familiar if you are up to date with our social media posts! Washing with cold water is not only better for protecting your clothes’ fabrics, but it also has a significant impact on overall consumption.

Did you know?

• “Washing in cold water reduces your personal carbon footprint by 10% and is just as effective —most detergents today are formulated for cold washing.” (Colorado State University, 2025)

Carbon footprint is a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of a particular individual, organization, or community, according to the Oxford Dictionary.

So, you’re taking care of your clothes, they’re lasting longer, and you’ll have a greener habit already! 

4. Treat stains quickly

You can procrastinate your assignments or answering your boss’ emails all you want, but treating stains? We strongly recommend you don’t push that aside for another time. No need to be alarmed, we are here to help, remember?. 

Instead of rubbing the stain which forces the stain further into the fabric, professionals advise drying it or rinsing with cold water and mild detergent. 

5. Hand wash if needed

Fabrics like silk and cashmere are sensitive to rough handling, so washing them by hand is usually the safest option. Items labeled as delicate or ‘dry-clean only’ benefit from gentle treatment with mild soap and lukewarm water. Letting them dry naturally helps preserve their texture and longevity.

6. Air dry

Research from Colorado State University shows that using a dryer is responsible for most of the carbon emissions produced during laundry, while letting clothes dry naturally can greatly cut that impact (Colorado State University, 2025). So don’t be afraid or lazy to hang your clothes outside once in a while.

7. Repair them!

Don’t be intimidated to try to repair your clothes in fear that you will ruin your favourite pair of pants or shirts. Everyone has to start somewhere, right?. This habit will help you control over-consumption habits, making a great positive impact on the planet (your wallet).

8. Use eco friendly and fabric safe detergents

Some laundry detergents contain strong chemicals that can slowly weaken fabric. So whatt can you do? Choosing detergents designed to be gentle on materials helps keep clothing clean without harming the fibers. Many eco-friendly laundry practices also recommend natural, biodegradable options (such as using vinegar) to care for fabrics. Interesting, right?

Vinegar is especially common in fabric care because it can soften garments, remove buildup, and help dark colors stay vibrant. Adding about a cup to a wash cycle can freshen clothing and help it last longer.

9. Laundry sorting, your new ally

To begin doing laundry, the first critical step is to separate your clothes by color and fabric type. But why does this simple action matter so much? Sorting your clothes establishes the correct cleaning method for every piece, which fundamentally safeguards the integrity and lifespan of your garments. Washing similar materials together is key to optimizing stain removal, preserving original colors, and preventing fabric damage. 

Sorting starts with categorizing by color (whites, lights, darks). Then, you can further organize by fabric (like putting delicate lingerie separate from heavy towels). 

10. Store your clothing in the correct way

Storing clothing thoughtfully helps it stay in good condition over time! Try arranging your wardrobe so each piece has enough room, and choose hangers or folding methods that support the fabric and shape to avoid unwanted creasing or moisture issues.

• Choose hangers that suit the structure of each garment.
  
• Place heavier items folded on shelves instead of hanging them.
  
• Keep your closet in a cool, dry, and well-aerated spot to protect your clothes.
  

That’s all for this post! We hope you can start integrating these tips into your routine slowly to make every day greener and your clothes more durable. See you in the next one :).

References

AEG United Kingdom. (n.d.). Wear longer, Waste Less: 10 tips for Durable clothes | AEG. https://www.aeg.co.uk/discover/blog/sustainability/wear-longer-waste-less-10-tips-for-durable-clothes/

carbon footprint, n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English Dictionary. (n.d.). https://www.oed.com/dictionary/carbon-footprint_n?tab=meaning_and_use

Fazio Cleaners. (2024, December 9). 10 tips for extending the life of your favorite garments. https://faziocleaners.com/10-tips-for-extending-the-life-of-your-favorite-garments/

Love Your Clothes: 10 Eco Friendly Ways to Care for your Clothes. (2023, February 14). My Little Green Wardrobe. https://mylittlegreenwardrobe.com/blogs/news/love-your-clothes-10-eco-friendly-ways-to-care-for-your-clothes?srsltid=AfmBOop8d_P0GDEY9YtCQPtjIUOYsPuYzyMrYTRFpoICXOTzzuS8Izkj

Whirlpool. (2022, October 12). 6 reasons why you should wash clothes inside out. Whirlpool. https://www.whirlpool.com/blog/washers-and-dryers/should-you-wash-clothes-inside-out.html