We often blame the poor quality of the materials used in our clothing. Yet, beyond the quality of the materials, numerous care mistakes damage our clothes daily without us even realizing it. Proper care has a real economic and environmental impact on our clothing consumption: better maintenance, less wear and tear, and fewer replacements and purchases. The quality of care is even more important for premium pieces made from natural materials. Here are the mistakes to absolutely avoid.
WASHING CLOTHES TOO OFTEN: A COMMON MISTAKE
Let's be clear from the start: this isn't about never washing your clothes or wearing them dirty or stained. It's about finding the right balance between frequent and infrequent washing: mindful washing.
Washing our clothes routinely without checking whether they are dirty or not can cause premature wear and tear on the fibers (due to excessive rubbing against each other), as well as fabric distortion and color fading.
The best practice is to identify which items require regular washing (underwear and other garments worn next to the skin) and which can be washed less frequently (a wool jacket or sweater worn over other clothing, for example).
If washing can be spaced out, airing clothes and avoiding wearing them for several consecutive days is the recommended approach.
If washing is absolutely necessary, it is best to choose short, delicate cycles at low temperatures to minimize the effects of washing on the fibers.
USING A WASHING TEMPERATURE THAT'S TOO HIGH
Each fabric has a maximum washing temperature that should not be exceeded, otherwise the fibers will be weakened, distorted, or shrunk.
To avoid these problems, here are the recommended temperatures for different fabrics:
- Linen and synthetic fabrics: 30°C
- Silk and wool: cold wash, 20°C
- Cotton: 30-40°C
Natural fabrics like linen and silk require special care. For more information, see our complete guide to caring for linen and silk.
OVERLOADING THE MACHINE
Filling the washing machine to avoid doing multiple loads is tempting, but it damages clothes. When too many clothes are crammed into the drum, there is much more friction during the wash cycle and an increased risk of fabric distortion. Furthermore, insufficient space in the washing machine can cause the detergent to rinse poorly, and in the long run, lead to buildup in the fibers.
A simple tip to solve the problem: always fill the washing machine drum to 3/4 full, no more.
USING TOO MUCH DETERGENT OR AN UNSUITABLE PRODUCT
You might think that adding more detergent makes your clothes cleaner. In reality, it's often the opposite. An excessive amount of detergent doesn't rinse properly and leaves residue in the fibers.
In the long run, this residue makes fabrics stiffer, alters their natural softness, and dulls colors. Natural materials, such as linen, silk, or wool, are particularly susceptible to this: they can lose their softness and shape more quickly.
The best practice? Follow the recommended dosages (or even reduce them slightly if the water isn't very hard) and choose a gentle detergent specifically formulated for natural fabrics. Avoid harsh formulas, bleaching agents, or those enriched with unnecessary chemicals.
A well-washed garment isn't necessarily one that smells strongly of detergent, but one whose fibers remain intact.
DRYING CLOTHES IMPROPERLY
As is often the case in our society, the pursuit of efficiency and time optimization sometimes leads us to make choices that, while they do save time, aren't always the right ones. Drying clothes in a hot dryer or in direct sunlight are very common mistakes.
Good drying practices include:
- Delicate items should be dried flat to avoid stretching or losing their shape (for example, cashmere sweaters).
- Avoid excessive heat: do not use a tumble dryer on a high heat setting (you can even stop it before the end of the cycle to finish drying in the open air) or expose items to direct sunlight (beware of discoloration and sunburn).
IRONING WITHOUT CHECKED FOR THE FABRIC
Choosing the wrong temperature can make fabrics shiny, burn the fibers, or even break them. To avoid this, adjust the iron's temperature: very low temperatures for silk and higher temperatures for linen and cotton. You can also choose an iron that automatically adjusts its temperature for added convenience!
A POOR STORAGE SYSTEM
This step, which seems the simplest, could well be one of the most important. Our clothes spend a lot of time in our closets: how they're stored has a significant impact on their condition and lifespan.
If you're part of Team "hanging clothes," you need to choose hangers that aren't too thin, otherwise you risk distorting the fabric. In other words, wire hangers from the dry cleaners are banned from the closet.
If you're part of Team "folding clothes," you need to make sure your folding is neat and that your clothes aren't piled up or crumpled on top of each other.
One last important point: make sure your closet isn't too humid. Humidity is the enemy of clothes, just like moths. Lavender sachets in the closet and dehumidifier pads scattered here and there will be your allies.
Taking care of your clothes means prolonging their life, but also respecting the work and materials that make them up. At Ila-Lyone, we select natural European materials designed to last, provided you avoid these common mistakes and give them proper care.
