It’s a common problem: you buy something new and start wearing and washing it regularly, only to find that it has developed a slightly grey tinge or faded colours after just a few months. Most clothes aren’t fragile, but they’re not indestructible either – and the way we wear, wash and store them makes more of a difference than we think.

Looking after your clothes properly can mean they last longer, hold their shape and don’t need replacing nearly as often, which is better for both your bank balance and the planet. And while investing in well-made pieces is important, what you do afterwards matters just as much.

Embracing small habits beyond separating your whites from your colours can help – think washing clothes less often or airing them between wears. Even how you hang or store pieces can have an impact.

With advice from textile experts and conservators (people who spend their time understanding how fabrics behave and wear out), here’s how to make your clothes go the distance.

How to make your clothes last longer

Spot clean

Spot cleaning stains as soon as they appear helps keep clothes out of the machine and extends the life of your fabrics, particularly for wool, denim and delicate fibres, says Prof Yang Wei of the Advanced Textiles Research Group at the Nottingham Trent University School of Art and Design. These fabrics don’t respond well to frequent washing and heat, which can weaken fibres and cause them to wear out faster.

Special stain removal products aren’t generally necessary for a spot clean, as Laura de Barra, cleaning and home expert, and author of Garment Goddess, explains. “I tend to grab a white (always white to avoid dye transfer) cloth and soak it in warm water and washing-up liquid, and dab the stain. Place a saucer or plate behind to avoid it soaking through to the back [of the garment]. It will usually lift pesky spills that don’t require a full machine wash.”

Wash less frequently and at cooler temperatures

“One of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to caring for their clothing is overlaundering. Each time a garment goes into the drum, it will lose a little something, from fibres to dye,” De Barra says.

When you do need to use the machine, dial things down. “It’s almost always best, if the garment instructions say it’s OK to machine wash, to go for cool temps, low spin speed and minimal detergent. If it’s a blend, cater to the weakest fibre, which is usually a natural, like wool,” she adds. So that polyester and linen blend top you love should go in at 30C, with the care needs for linen taking priority.

Lowering your wash temperature from 40C to 30C can also cut your washing machine’s energy use by almost 40%, according to the consumer group Which? – a small change that’s better for your clothes, your energy bill and the environment.

Hand-wash your delicates

Some clothes, however, should never see the inside of a washing machine. “Knits and silks deserve a cool handwash with a mild detergent,” De Barra says.

Pieces made from wool, cashmere or high-percentage natural fibres are more prone to stretching or losing their shape.

“Think of wool and cashmere like hair,” De Barra adds. “They also have proteins that need to be gently cared for because they are derived from animal hair. This means they need to be delicately cared for. I would use a baby shampoo, or a silk or wool detergent. Your kitchen sink is ideal here. Simply add detergent to tepid water – most delicates hate heat – allow to soak for about 30 minutes, then rinse. I like to rinse the detergent off through a colander to avoid stretching.”

Most machines have a handwash or delicates setting, which is usually fine for blended fabrics (eg wool or cashmere blends), but for more delicate pieces – pure wool, cashmere or silk – handwashing is still the safest option.

Ecover wool & silk washing liquid, 750ml

… and dry them carefully

How you dry delicate clothes matters just as much as how you wash them. If you go to the effort of handwashing, only to throw the clothes in on a fast spin cycle, you can undo that care. High-speed spinning puts stress on wet fibres, which are heavier and more fragile, and can cause garments to stretch out of shape, weaken or lose their structure over time. The same can be true for wringing them out.

Instead, you should “gently squeeze wet clothes, then do the hand equivalent of a spin cycle,” says De Barra. “Lay a dry towel on your draining board, place the garment flat on top and roll. This will take out the excess moisture, and you can then allow it to dry flat on a fresh dry towel.”

Hanging delicate items while they’re wet can also cause damage as the weight of the water pulls fibres downwards, which can stretch garments – particularly knitwear – and leave them misshapen as they dry.

Go easy on the detergent

Most of us are using far more detergent than necessary. “Check the detergent brand’s advice on the recommended amount to use for hard water, soiled clothes and general use, and stick to it,” De Barra says.

Choosing the right detergent for the right load also makes a difference. “Powders are stunning for those weekend loads of white bed linen, towels and underwear, as many contain sodium percarbonate and usually require a hotter temperature, which powders love,” says De Barra. This is because sodium percarbonate releases oxygen in warm water, which helps break down stains and restore brightness, making it particularly effective for whites. Powders also tend to dissolve and work more efficiently at higher temperatures, which is also why they’re better suited to hotter washes.

“Liquids are brilliant for day-to-day use, as you can pretreat a stain by applying a dab of liquid before it goes in the wash. They’re less useful for fast washes and more useful for heavy soiling,” De Barra explains, as liquids tend to need more time to break down dirt. Very short cycles can reduce their effectiveness.

“I tend to avoid pods, as they usually contain optical brighteners,” she adds. These don’t actually clean fabrics, says De Barra, but coat them to make them appear whiter and brighter – they can build up, coating fibres rather than properly cleaning them. This can reduce breathability and absorbency, and may leave fabrics looking dull or feeling less soft over time.

Ecover zero sensitive non-bio washing powder, 1.875kg

M&S sensitive non-bio laundry liquid, 50 washes

Avoid fabric softener

Fabric softener can actually make your clothes feel less soft over time – it leaves a waxy residue on fabrics and inside your machine, which can build up and make clothes feel stiff. It can even make your towels less absorbent, as the coating stops them from properly soaking up water.

So what should you use instead? Vinegar, according to De Barra. “It dries odourless, and will open fibres, soften and brighten – all the things fabric softener claims to do.” She recommends using distilled white vinegar. Add a small amount, about 100-120ml, to the fabric softener drawer so it’s released during the rinse cycle.

Vinegar works particularly well for towels and everyday laundry, helping to soften fabrics and remove detergent buildup without leaving a residue or smell.

Tesco distilled vinegar, 1.14l

Miniml white vinegar, 5l

Give it a good steam

A quick steam can revive clothes, particularly wools and cashmere. But first, try just giving them a bit of breathing space between wears. Simply airing garments will often freshen them up, according to experts at the National Trust’s textile conservation studio team, and help avoid an unnecessary wash. Hanging them somewhere with good airflow – like on the clothes line outside or even draping them over a chair – is usually enough as long as they’re kept out of direct sunlight to avoid colour fading.

If they still need a little refresh, a steamer can lift creases and freshen fabric without putting clothes through a full cycle. “A steamer avoids the risk of scorching [posed by using an iron],” De Barra says – something that can happen when irons are too hot or pressed directly on to delicate fabrics. Irons still have their place, “but I would invest in a steam blanket, which is like a hanging ironing board, and a steamer hanger to help with anything tailored,” she says.

I’ve found that you can recreate a similar setup at home by hanging a towel over the back of a door and steaming clothes against it – this works well for getting most light creases out.

Philips 1000 series handheld steamer

Tefal Pure Pop garment steamer

Brabantia door steam blanket

Clean your washing machine

Washing machines quietly collect detergent residue, lint and general grime over time, and if they’re not cleaned regularly, all that can end up back on your clothes. An occasional washing machine deep clean helps it run properly and keeps your laundry coming out fresh. I tend to use a washing machine cleaner, such as Dr Beckmann below, for a deeper clean every six months. In between, running an empty hot cycle with a bit of white vinegar and wiping down the seals and drawer is usually enough to keep things fresh.

It’s also worth leaving the door and detergent drawer open after each wash to let the machine air out to help prevent moisture building up, which causes mould.

Ecoegg washing machine and dishwasher detox tablets, eight

Dr Beckmann Service-It washing machine deep clean

Embrace bicarb

Another great store cupboard staple is bicarbonate of soda. “It regulates the pH level of the water in the machine, which supports better washing,” De Barra says. This is important because detergent works best in pH-balanced water, helping it break down dirt and odours more effectively.

It’s best used strategically, De Barra adds, rather than in every load, particularly for items such as gymwear, towels or anything that needs a bit of extra freshening. “I like to add it directly to the drum at the start, about half a cup, so it has worked some magic before the detergent is summoned,” she says. It works in both cold and warm washes, so there’s no need to turn up the temperature.

Sainsbury’s bicarbonate of soda, 180g

Air dry where possible

Drying your clothes according to their colour helps them last longer. “To keep your whites white, try to dry them outside on a sunny day,” the National Trust experts say. Sunlight has a natural bleaching effect, which can help lighten stains and keep whites looking brighter. This doesn’t apply to more delicate or vintage pieces, however, which are better kept out of direct sunlight to avoid damage. Darker clothes, too, are best dried away from strong sunlight, as UV exposure can cause colours to fade over time.

Heat used when drying, such as with tumble dryers, can cause damage too. “High heat can permanently deform many fibres, especially polyester, nylon and elastane,” Yang says, meaning they can crease permanently and lose their elasticity.

Minky indoor airer

Rotary outdoor airer

Store clothes wisely

One of the quickest ways to damage your clothes is by storing them badly, the National Trust’s textile conservation team says. This is especially true when delicate or already weakened garments are hung up. “A beaded dress that’s heavily embellished on a fine, delicate fabric could tear under its own weight if hung on a hanger and should be stored in a drawer,” they say.

For longer-term storage, sealed plastic bags or boxes can offer protection, especially if moths are a concern, the team advises. But it’s not a case of storing and forgetting. “It’s recommended to check any stored textiles regularly for any problems”, such as moth holes.

Jumpers and cardigans are also best kept off hangers. “Hanging knitwear can stretch the shoulder area and create hanger horns (little shoulder bumps) where the loops elongate under the garment’s weight,” Yang says.

It’s also worth giving clothes in your wardrobe and drawers a bit of breathing space. Overfilling them can “crush fabrics, leading to wrinkling, compression damage and fibre fatigue”, says Yang.

Rayen breathable storage bag, 45 x 103 x 16cm

Moth Stop clothes storage bags, 10

Pärkla storage case, 55 x 49 x 19cm

Ditch the wire hangers

The right hanger also helps. Wider or contoured hangers that support the shoulders can help clothes keep their shape. “Using the wrong size hanger and, even worse, using a wire hanger” can have a detrimental effect, the National Trust conservation experts advise, recommending padded hangers instead.

Harbour Housewares 10 satin padded hangers

Plastic suit and jacket hanger, two

Protect against moths

Moths might be small, but their fabric-eating larvae can cause significant damage. They particularly love natural fibres such as wool, cashmere and silk, but your natural blends could be targets too. “Your best defence against moths is regular checks and monitoring,” says the National Trust conservation team. Regular checks mean keeping an eye on your clothes and storage spaces – especially darker, undisturbed areas – for early signs such as small holes or larvae.

Prevention, rather than cure, will go a long way in helping your clothes (and carpets) last longer. It’s worth having a few moth deterrents in place to discourage moths from settling in your wardrobe in the first place. Natural options, such as pieces of moth-repelling cedar wood are a good choice, especially for your more delicate or treasured pieces. You can also use traps to keep an eye on things, says the National Trust conservation team: “These are usually pheromone traps, which attract moths using scent and catch them on a sticky surface.” These do kill the moths, but “they’re non-toxic and targeted, making them a good way to monitor activity and catch a problem early”.

Moth activity tends to peak in the warmer months, typically from late spring through to early autumn, so it’s worth being extra vigilant during this time. For longer-term storage, sealed plastic boxes or bags offer the best protection, particularly for seasonal items.

If you’re worried about eggs or larvae, freezing garments can help. Placing items in a sealed bag in the freezer for a few days (72 hours is recommended) can kill any hidden pests before they cause damage.

John Lewis 28-piece cedar multipack

Acana monitoring moth trap

Acana moth traps, 10

Repair your clothes

A hole in the armpit of your favourite jumper can make it tempting to push it to the back of the wardrobe or, worse, throw it out. But small, simple repairs done early can extend the life of your clothes by years.

“Repairs are most effective when done before the damaged area becomes too large or structurally weakened,” says Yang. “Darning rebuilds the load-bearing network in knitted fabrics, preventing further laddering or hole expansion. Patching helps redistribute stress in woven fabrics so the damage does not spread.”

If you don’t already have the basics, such as needles and thread, a starter sewing kit is an easy way to get set up. You’re more likely to repair pieces you’ve invested in, so it’s worth keeping that in mind when buying clothes. And if a repair feels a bit beyond you, practise on some scraps of fabric first. If the item needs more specialist care, take it to a local tailor. If this isn’t an option, you could try an online tailoring service like Sojo. It’s often cheaper to fix something than replace it, and far better for the environment too.

Trimits sewing kit

William Morris Strawberry Thief sewing kit

Losing a button on a cardigan or misplacing a popper also doesn’t have to spell the end for your garment. “Often clothes come with a spare button or length of matching yarn for repairs – keep these in your sewing kit for future repairs,” the National Trust textile conservation team says.

Neutral buttons pack, 50g

Mixed bag of buttons, 100g

Debobble regularly

Even the best knitwear isn’t immune to pilling. Those little bobbles that show up on jumpers and cardigans are simply the result of friction: fibres rub together, tangle and form tiny knots on the fabric’s surface.

Removing loose lint can make older pieces look almost new again. For a gentle approach, a specialist comb works well. Designed with fine teeth or a lightly abrasive edge, it lifts pills without damaging the surrounding fibres. Lay the garment flat, keep it slightly taut, and use small, light strokes in one direction.

If you’re short on time, an electric lint remover does a similar job quickly. It uses small rotating blades behind a protective mesh to shave off pills as you glide it over the fabric. Just use a light touch, as too much pressure can catch the material. It can also come in handy for your blankets, cushions and even your sofa.

JML Bobble Off fabric shaver

Loop cashmere comb

Steamery Pilo 2 fabric shaver

For more, read how to look after your knitwear and how to make your leather last a lifetime

Mabel Banfield-Nwachi is a consumer journalist, serial hobbyist and inveterate traveller. She loves vintage and secondhand fashion, which usually involves an alteration (or two) on her sewing machine. With a limited budget, she’s also passionate about making them last