5 tips to make your child’s clothes last longer

Last Updated on November 8, 2024

[AD] It’s not easy keeping your child’s clothes in tip-top shape, but it’s not impossible. There are some easy things you can do to make your child’s clothes longer.

Here are some simple, but effective tips that make it easier to extend the life of your child’s clothes.

Use less detergent

Surprisingly, using too much detergent can actually harm your child’s clothes. Excess soap can build up, leaving clothes feeling stiff and looking dull.

Aim for about half the recommended amount of detergent for each load. This lesser amount cleans effectively, while being gentler on fabrics, helping clothes maintain their colour and texture longer.

Moreover, consider choosing a detergent that’s free from harsh chemicals. These gentler options are not only better for the fabric, but also kinder to your child’s sensitive skin.

They help preserve the integrity of the clothing fibres, ensuring your child’s clothes look new for as long as possible.

Shoe maintenance

Children’s shoes bear the brunt of their active lives, so giving them a little extra care can make a big difference.

Using crease protectors like the ones Diagonal One makes for Jordans, is a smart way to keep sneakers looking fresh and prevent them from losing shape.

These handy inserts slip inside the shoes, providing support that helps fend off creases and wrinkles caused by daily wear.

Apart from using crease protectors, regular cleaning and waterproofing can significantly extend the life of your child’s shoes.

Wipe down their shoes with a damp cloth after a day of playing to remove dirt and grime. Applying a waterproof spray helps protect against moisture and stains, keeping shoes in wearable condition for longer.

Proper storage

How you organise kids clothes, as well as the way you store them, can greatly affect the longevity of kids clothing.

Always dry clothes completely before putting them away to prevent mildew and fabric damage.

Use hangers for shirts and dresses to avoid wrinkles and maintain their shape.

For knitwear and heavier items, folding is preferable to prevent stretching. Also, rotate clothes regularly to ensure even wear and tear.

Organising clothes by season, and storing off-season items in breathable containers, can also protect them from dust and pests.

Placing cedar blocks or lavender sachets among stored clothes can naturally repel moths, and keep the clothes smelling fresh without the harshness of chemical mothballs.

Buy clothes made from high quality fabric

Investing in clothes made from high quality fabrics can save you money in the long run.

These materials are more resilient to frequent washing and active play, reducing the need for replacements.

Look for durable fabrics like cotton, linen, and wool, which tend to wear well and are easy to care for.

Additionally, these natural fibres are more comfortable for children to wear, and are less likely to cause skin irritation.

Clothes made from quality fabrics also tend to hold their shape and colour better over time. This means they’ll still look good as hand me downs or for resale, providing excellent value for the investment.

Remember, the key is not just the type of fabric, but also the craftsmanship of the clothing.

Get a mesh laundry bag

A mesh laundry bag is a must have for protecting delicate items, and preventing small pieces like socks from getting lost.

Placing items in a mesh bag before washing can prevent them from getting tangled or stretched in the machine.

It’s especially useful for items with buttons, bows, or appliques, that might otherwise get damaged, or cause damage to other garments during the washing cycle.

Furthermore, using a mesh bag helps reduce friction and wear on fabrics, which can extend the lifespan of your child’s clothes.

This is a simple, affordable tip that makes a big difference in maintaining the quality of the clothing in your child’s wardrobe.

Conclusion

Making your child’s clothes last longer can be tricky, especially if your child loves spending time outdoors, or if they do a lot of kids indoor activities.

However, getting your kid’s clothes to last isn’t impossible, you can achieve this by implementing some tips and tricks, which include using half the recommend detergent when washing their clothes, as well as using detergent that’s free from harsh chemicals.

Storing kids clothes in ways that suit the fabric they’re made from also helps clothes to last longer. For example, hanging shirts, folding knitwear, and storing off-season clothes in breathable containers.

Buying kid’s clothes that are made from high quality fabric, and washing clothing in mesh laundry bags also helps your kid’s clothes stand the test of time.

It’s not only clothes that can be hard to keep in tip top condition, kids shoes work really hard. Some ways to increase the longevity of kids shoes is to use crease protectors, regularly clean their shoes, and waterproof them.

Implementing these tips will ensure your kid’s clothes last longer, so they get the most wear out of them as possible before they grow into the next size.

How do you get your kid’s clothes to last longer?