The 7 things you need to do to make sure your clothes last longer – and you’ve definitely been washing them too often

IN case you didn’t know, your laundry routine goes hand-in-hand with how long your clothes last.

If you’re starting to notice your clothes are falling apart after one too many washes, it’s probably time to adjust your laundry habits.

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By making a few simple changes to your laundry day, you can easily extend the life of your clothes[/caption]

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Using less laundry detergent is one way to get your clothes to last longer[/caption]

Luckily, the experts at Chatelaine shared the seven tips you need to get your clothes to last longer.

WASH CLOTHES LESS OFTEN

To put it simply, if it ain’t dirty, don’t wash it.

The fastest way to wear out clothes is by washing them often, so only wash pieces that are actually dirty or smelly.

A thin sweater you wore with an undershirt is probably OK to wear again, while jeans probably have several wears before they need a wash.

USE LESS DETERGENT

Another common laundry mistake is using too much detergent.

According to expert Patric Richardson, detergent “builds up on clothing over time and shortens its lifespan without leaving it any cleaner.”

He claimed you only need two tablespoons of detergent for a full load.

Richardson also advised using regular detergent on heavy-worn items such as sports uniforms and work shirts, then something more gentle on the rest of your clothing.

HANDLE SPECIAL ITEMS CAREFULLY

Clothing items adorned in sequins, embroidery, or lace should be handled carefully by reading the instructions on the care label.

When in doubt, though, you can always hand wash gently and air dry special pieces.

Richardson also said you can opt for mesh wash bags that prevents clothes from getting tangled in the washer.

AVOID HEAT WHEN YOU CAN

Using heat on clothing, whether it be hot water in the washer or using a dryer, will wear the fibers of your clothing over time.

You can extend your clothing’s lifespan by instead opting for cold water and hanging clothes to dry.

Additionally, Richard advised: “If you’re going to put things in the dryer, open the door and pull out what’s dry every few minutes.”

USE DRYER BALLS

Not only do dryer balls help your clothes dry faster, but they are also cheaper and help preserve your clothes.

Dryer sheets, on the other hand, will eventually ruin your clothes’ breathability and wicking capabilities.

SKIP THE HANGERS

Hanging wet clothes is a sure way to stretch them out, so try adding an express cycle with a fast spin to wring out excess liquid.

Then, lay your clothes flat on top of a drying rack or a few towels to air dry.

If you must go with hangers, use wooden or padded ones instead of wire so that your clothes don’t change shape.

DEPILL YOUR CLOTHES

Lastly, you can give old clothes a refresh by removing any pilled pieces.

Either use a fabric shaver or pumice stone to rub out the pilled parts in the elbows, armpits, and on the stomach of tops and knits.

In other laundry tips, there are three items you should always separate into their own loads.

Additionally, there’s a $1 tip to get your white laundry staying bright.

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Throwing in a dryer ball instead of a sheet may help prolong your clothes[/caption]