The first step to reduce laundry loads and expense is to shop wisely for clothing. Cleaning and care of our clothing, depending on the type of fabric and construction, can become quite expensive over the life of the garment. By taking time to read labels, you can make your laundry routine easier and less expensive.
Avoid Dry Clean Only Garments
There are exceptions to this rule - tailored coats, business suits, special occasion wear - but for everyday clothing, choose fabrics and styles that are washable. A full load of laundry costs around $1.00 - the cost of one dry cleaned garment is significantly more.
For clothing that will be worn close to the body - shirts, blouses, undergarments - choose items that can go in the washer or can be hand-washed. By wearing these under dry clean only fabrics, you may be able to avoid some trips to the cleaners.
Construction and Durability
Clothing that will be worn and laundered often must be well-made to last through more than one season. Before you buy, look at seam construction, buttons and interior lining to be sure the item looks sturdy. If you see loose threads, big stitches and puckered seams, the item is not going to last through many washes.
Read labels carefully about how the garment was dyed - natural or synthetic dye. Natural dyes have a tendency to run and will ruin other garments in the wash load. If you see a clothing label that appears to be discolored, beware. It usually means that color transfer has - and can again - occur.
Fabric Care
Obviously, there are types of fabric that require less care than others. 100% natural fabrics are most often going to require ironing to maintain a wrinkle-free appearance. Selecting garments that include some man-made fibers - even 5% - can reduce the need for ironing.
Knitted fabrics typically release wrinkles more easily than woven fabrics. Knits can reduce or eliminate dryer usage and still look unwrinkled.
With just a bit of planning, you can reduce your laundry problems, have clothes that last longer and reduce the amount of energy you use in the laundry room.
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