How to Make Your Clothes Last Longer — A Gentle Guide to Slow Care

We’ve all read the line—“Fashion is the second most polluting industry in the world.” It echoes everywhere. And yet, it remains painfully true. Some say the answer lies in buying sustainable clothing. Others champion secondhand finds. Ultimately, it’s all part of the same intention: to reduce waste, to tread softer, and to cherish what we already own.

In a world that moves fast, slowing down becomes radical. And caring for your clothes is a quiet revolution—a practice of love, of respect, and of intention.

At MAIKAI, each piece is crafted from 100% cotton, block-printed, yarn or fabric dyed with botanical or azo free dyes and is meant to move and live with you. These garments are not disposable trends. They are stories—stitched, printed, and dyed into being. And like all beautiful things, they ask to be cared for with tenderness.

Here are five gentle ways to help your cotton clothing—and your MAIKAI wardrobe—last longer:

1. Honour the Label

We know—care labels often get ignored, or snipped off at first wear. But these quiet little tags hold a lot of wisdom.

When it comes to our block-printed cottons, these instructions are especially sacred. Natural dyes and hand-carved blocks create one-of-a-kind patterns—but they also require a delicate touch.

For your MAIKAI prints:

• Hand wash or delicate machine cycle in cold water (below 30°C)

• Use a non-enzyme, non-biological detergent

• Do not tumble dry

• Gently pull to shape, and dry inside-out in the shade

• Wash dark or vibrant colours separately for the first few wears

And one essential step—please pre-wash swim and intimates in cold salt water before first use. It helps set the dye, especially in naturally dyed pieces.

These sets meant to be worn in the open sea, not chlorinated pools. Chlorine can weaken natural fibres and fade the colour—so for your swims and intimates, keep them wild, keep them salt-kissed. 

2. Wash Less, Love More

Not everything needs to be washed after every wear. Unless it’s been through a sweaty workout or a long summer day, your garment will thank you for a little space to breathe.

Washing less not only preserves the fabric—it conserves water, energy, and effort. Sometimes, simply airing out your dress is all it needs.

3. Let Them Rest, The Right Way

Storage matters.
Keep your clothes in cool, dry places, away from direct sunlight. Let them breathe—folded loosely or hung with care. Avoid plastic covers or airtight bins. Cotton loves air, just like we do.

4. Protect with Intention

Be gentle with what you wear. Lay a napkin on your lap at dinner. Avoid perfumes or deodorants directly on the fabric. Treat your clothing like something precious—because it is.

And if life happens—as it does—act on stains quickly. The longer they linger, the harder they are to release.

5. Air Dry Always

Cotton doesn’t enjoy the harshness of a dryer. Whenever you can, let it dry in the open air, away from direct sun. This preserves both the structure and the soul of your garment.

Block-printed cotton, especially, thrives in the shade.

Because Slow Fashion Is a Love Story

Think of caring for your clothes like tending to a garden. It’s not just about preservation—it’s about relationship. Ritual. Respect.

When you choose to care, you extend the life of something handmade, and you honour the hands that made it.

At MAIKAI, we’re here to walk that journey with you. From intimate essentials to ocean-soaked swimwear, every piece in our world is made to be worn, lived in, and loved longer.

Because slow fashion deserves slow care. 💛