Introduction

As a young person who just started living independently, dealing with various clothes in my closet is really frustrating. That newly bought Supreme collab T-shirt faded after just a few wears, the thousand-yuan designer hoodie got completely misshapen after washing, not to mention that mortifying experience of accidentally dyeing my roommate's Balenciaga track pants.

I know you must have encountered similar situations. Especially when we look at those washing labels full of symbols on clothes, it's like reading hieroglyphics. To be honest, when I first saw those symbols, I thought they were some kind of mysterious magic spells!

As a "former failure" who once shrunk a $4000+ Acne Studios cashmere coat into a Barbie-sized version, I truly understand this pain. That was bought with several months of my living expenses! But after years of frantically searching for guides on social media and learning from professional dry cleaners, I've finally compiled a set of clothing care methods suitable for young people. Today I'm sharing these experiences with everyone - guaranteed to make your clothes last longer, and the money saved can go toward new clothes!

Classification is Key

First, I want to say that most clothing accidents happen at the initial classification stage. I know many friends find sorting really troublesome and want to throw all clothes into the washing machine at once. But this is really a huge mistake!

I suggest buying two laundry baskets from IKEA, one for light-colored clothes and one for dark-colored clothes. They only cost a few dozen yuan but can help you avoid many unnecessary troubles. Dark clothes include black, navy blue, dark gray, etc., while light clothes include white, beige, light pink, etc. This sorting not only prevents color bleeding but also makes your laundry process more organized.

Speaking of this, I have to share my painful lesson. When I just started college, I bought a pair of navy UNIQLO jeans and a white shirt specifically for the club recruitment fair to look sharp. But being lazy to wash them separately, I threw them in together. When I opened the washing machine again, that white shirt had become a "limited edition" gradient blue. In the end, I had to wear this "unique" shirt to recruitment and was teased by classmates for a long time.

Actually, besides color sorting, fabric classification is also important. Cotton T-shirts can be washed together, but fabrics like silk and wool need special care. I now sort clothes into four categories: regular fabrics (cotton, polyester, etc.), delicate fabrics (silk, lace, etc.), wool/cashmere, and denim.

For some particularly valuable clothes, like my Supreme collab piece or girls' beloved Chanel-style jackets, I recommend hand washing or taking them to professional dry cleaners. Although this might cost a bit more, it's much cheaper than buying new ones. Besides, these clothes are meant to be worn for a long time, so it's worth putting in extra care.

The Art of Washing

When it comes to specific washing methods, there's really a lot to learn. Based on my observations over the past few years, most of my friends' clothes are ruined due to improper washing methods. Especially for the trendy designer clothes that many young people like to buy now, costing hundreds or thousands, it's really painful if they get ruined in the wash.

Let's start with basic T-shirts. Whether it's a UNIQLO basic or a Supreme limited edition, cold water washing is recommended. Many people might think cold water doesn't clean well, but this is a misconception. With today's advanced laundry detergent technology, cold water can clean just as effectively. Plus, cold water washing helps maintain the elasticity of clothes and preserves prints and colors longer.

I have a beloved OFF-WHITE T-shirt that I've had for over two years, and the print is still very clear, all because I've consistently used cold water washing. In contrast, my roommate's same T-shirt, which is always washed in hot water, now has peeling prints. Statistics show that T-shirts washed in cold water last about a year longer than those washed in hot water.

For more expensive items, like Acne Studios wool sweaters or Self-Portrait lace dresses that girls love, never take shortcuts by throwing them directly into the washing machine. These clothes are best hand-washed - although it takes more time, it makes clothes last longer. I have an Issey Miyake pleated top that I've worn for over three years, and it still looks new because I've always insisted on hand washing.

Regarding detergent selection, my advice is to choose based on the fabric. Regular cotton clothes can use common detergents, but wool sweaters need special wool detergent. I once bought a bottle of Japanese Woolite wool-specific detergent - although it was a bit expensive, it was very gentle on wool sweaters.

Temperature control is also important. Generally, dark clothes should be washed in water below 30 degrees Celsius to prevent fading. White clothes can be washed in water around 40 degrees Celsius, making it easier to remove stains. However, regardless of the clothing type, using very hot water is not recommended as high temperatures damage fabric fibers.

The intensity of washing also needs to be controlled. Many people think scrubbing hard cleans better, but this actually damages clothes. The correct method is to gently knead, as gentle as bathing a baby. This is especially important for clothes with beads or sequin decorations.

For athletic wear, like Nike pants or Lululemon yoga wear, it's recommended to hang dry immediately after washing. These types of clothes tend to retain odors, and leaving them in the washing machine too long can lead to bacterial growth. I usually have a dedicated drying rack and hang up athletic wear immediately after washing, which maintains elasticity and prevents odors.

Stain Removal Techniques

When it comes to stain removal, it really tests one's patience and skill. From my experience, timing is the most important factor in stain removal. Just like catching the best moment in gaming, treating stains is all about timing. Professional data shows that treating stains within 15 minutes of formation has a success rate of over 95%. But if you wait until the next day to treat it, the success rate drops dramatically.

I now keep portable stain removal pens in various corners of my home. One under the living room coffee table, one in the dining table drawer, and one in the bedroom nightstand. This way, I can treat stains immediately if clothes get dirty. I remember once when I was wearing my newly bought Acne Studios white hoodie to hot pot and accidentally splashed some red oil on it - I immediately used the stain removal pen, and now that hoodie is still brilliantly white.

Different types of stains require different treatment methods. Oil stains are the hardest to deal with - I recommend first using kitchen paper to absorb surface oil, then treating with professional oil stain remover. Fruit juice stains should be rinsed with cold water, never hot water, as hot water makes stains more likely to penetrate the fabric. For stubborn stains like lipstick marks, try using professional lipstick stain remover first, and if that doesn't work, take it to the dry cleaners.

For some particularly difficult stains like red wine, I have a secret technique. Immediately rinse with soda water, then sprinkle some table salt, wait a few minutes, and rinse with clean water. I've successfully saved several pieces of clothing with this method.

The Science of Storage

When it comes to clothing storage, it's truly a major subject. Many people might think just stuffing clothes into the closet is fine, but this really significantly shortens the lifespan of clothing. Statistics show that using appropriate hangers can extend clothing life by 25%.

For formal wear like suits and coats, wooden hangers are best. Although wooden hangers might be more expensive, they better maintain clothing shape. My expensive Burberry trench coat has been hanging on a wooden hanger for over two years and still maintains its structure. Knitwear needs wider hangers to avoid shoulder deformation. I previously had a CELINE cashmere sweater that got shoulder marks from using thin wire hangers.

When storing, never overstuff clothes to save space. I know many young people might live in smaller homes with limited closet space, but over-compression seriously damages clothes. Research shows that excessive compression causes fabric fiber deformation, making clothes more prone to wrinkles and even affecting fabric breathability.

Seasonal clothing storage is also important. For winter down jackets, ensure they're completely dry before storage and use dust bags. I put some mothballs in the dust bags to prevent moth damage. As for summer silk dresses, it's best to wrap them in acid-free paper to prevent yellowing.

For particularly expensive bags like Chanel or Hermès, I recommend buying special dust bags and stuffing material. Remember to maintain the bag's shape during storage to prevent deformation. I have a Chanel chain bag that still looks new after several years due to proper storage.

Final Thoughts

After reading this article, doesn't clothing care seem less daunting than imagined? Actually, once you master these basic principles and add a bit of patience, anyone can become a clothing care expert. Moreover, properly caring for clothes not only saves money on buying new ones but also helps maintain a polished image.

Now in my closet, many clothes have been worn for several years but still look new. This not only saves money but more importantly gives me more choices in styling. After all, when clothes are well-maintained, you feel more confident walking down the street, right?

If you have any particularly difficult clothing care problems or unique care tips, welcome to tell me in the comments. Let's be refined fashion experts together!