5 ways in which you can make your cotton clothing last longer

“Fashion is the world’s second most polluting industry”. We come across this phrase practically everywhere. The solution to this problem? Some say it is buying sustainable clothing, and some say investing in second-hand clothing is the way to go. Ultimately, all these terms have the same purpose and that is to reduce the number of products that end up in landfills. Therefore, reusability and upcycling of clothes is getting more popular by the day as well. 

It is essential to take good care of your clothes to increase their lifespan. At Maikai, we use 100% cotton to make all our pieces. Of course, there are the basics such as delicate machine cycles, hand wash or dry clean, along with washing coloured items separately. With some extra effort we can make them last even longer.

Here’s 5 ways in which you can make your cotton clothing last longer:

1. Do not ignore the care labels 

Not following care label instructions can often lead to damaging a piece of clothing. We all tend to ignore the care labels, sometimes even cut them off without reading what they have to say. It is necessary to make a note of the fabric and wash instructions on them, if you don’t want your shirt to come out of the machine discoloured or dress to be shrunk. With a little care, you can keep your Maikai prints fresh for a lifetime. Hand block printing, also referred to as “block printing” utilizes a hand-carved teak wood block that is dipped in dye and stamped by hand onto cotton or silk. The result is truly unique.

Suggested Care instructions for your Maikai prints:

• Delicate machine cycle or hand wash at no more than 30 degrees.
• Use non-enzyme/non-biological washing powder or liquid.
• Do not tumble dry.
• Pull to shape and dry inside-out and away from strong light.
• Strong coloured items should be washed separately, and may require 3 or more washes to remove excess dye.

2. How often should you wash them?

Do you know that jeans don’t need to be washed and ironed every time you wear them? Similarly, unless you have worn your dress through the entire day or have worked out in your Maikai sports bra and are sweating, it is okay not to wash your clothes after every use. This will not just maintain your clothes, but you also save energy and water by limiting the usage of your washing machine.

3. Storing your clothes properly 

Avoid storing your clothes where they are exposed to direct sunlight or aren’t in dry and cool places. This is essential to keep them in a good condition. This way you let your clothes breathe and prevent them from creasing too! 

4. Protecting your clothes 

You don’t have to fight to protect your clothes! However, be mindful of protecting them from any stains or harm. For instance, if you’re wearing a gorgeous dress to dinner, always make sure there’s a napkin laid out on your lap so you don’t stain the outfit. Staining can often be very hard to get rid of, if not taken care of in time. Therefore, always pay attention to stains. The longer it stays, the harder it is to remove! 

5. Air drying your clothes

Always try your best to air dry your cotton pieces. Dry them out in the sun if possible after checking the drying instructions on the label. Hand block cotton clothing is best dried in shade. Cotton clothes are prone to shrinkage if they are washed and dried in machines a lot, therefore it’s best to air dry them. 

You have got to love your clothes and pamper your wardrobe as you’d pamper a loved one or yourself! If you are trying to take the right steps towards building a sustainable wardrobe, we’ve got you covered. Watch this space for more and check out our new capsule Coastal Spell, which we promise is worth protecting! 

All images via Pinterest