Everlasting love: How to ensure your clothes defy the test of time

We all have those items that we wear, and wear… and wear, be it a snuggly winter jumper that’s the first thing you dig out as soon as October hits, or that classic LBD that attends every New Year party. The moment you must let go is utterly heart-breaking and a replacement never quite feels the same. In a mission to care for both the planet and your most loyal wardrobe staples, ACE has put together a guide to making your clothes last you for eternity (or thereabouts) *smug face*

Decide to be delicate

A delicate washing bag ensures that sheer clothing, made of fabrics such as silk, chiffon, lace and cashmere, are protected from the risk of becoming snagged or damaged in the machine. These bags are reusable and won’t break the bank – we recommend this one from Wilko. Great for baby clothing which can often be delicate and needs lots of washing – for obvious reasons!

Organise, optimise

The way that we store our garments has a large effect on how they can be maintained. It is recommended that items are stored in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Items that become easily misshapen such as knitwear and T-shirts are best stored folded on shelves or in drawers to prevent stretching. We recommend making a habit of it when you put your clothes away, little and often!

ACE that stain!

To prevent any long-lasting discolouration or stains, use ACE to remove the pesky marks from food, grease, outdoors, trapped dirt, body soils, drinks, cosmetics and vegetable oils – phew! When popped in the washing machine ACE will prevent colour runs – so no more pinky/grey tones of white. If a stain has well and truly embedded itself into your favourite blouse, then pre-treat the item with the product before popping it in the wash – voila!

The dark side

One way to prevent dark clothing from becoming lacklustre (this is e-s-s-e-n-t-i-a-l with your favourite pair of jeans – we love these ones for an effortless look) is to simply turn them inside out before popping them in the washing machine. This will allow them to leave the machine squeaky clean without damaging that satisfyingly fresh finish.

Crafty creations

Learn how to carry out simple repairs such as stitching up a small tear – or even better, get creative and use scraps of old fabric from charity shops to create patches and repair your favourite denim jacket or pair of jeans. Add beads, iron-on patches or embellishment to make a statement of those scuffs – get the kids involved too and teach them a new skill!

Recycle responsibly

There are loads of ways that your pre-loved items can be given a new home or recycled to create new fabrics. Why not host a swap party with friends, find a local recycling bank, sell your items on eBay, Gumtree or Facebook or attend a local car boot sale? You can also donate your clothing to a charity shop to ensure profits are going to a good cause. Use this handy charity shop locator to find your nearest store

Do you have a go-to tip for making clothes last? Let us know at @ACECLEANUK on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to pick up a bottle of ACE in Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose (and lots of other retailers!)

Explore the product range