Sweaters
Wash them: Depends on the material.
What to know: More delicate pieces crafted from cashmere, cotton and silk should be handwashed after every wear, while sturdier wool and polyester sweaters can go almost a half-dozen wears before hitting the suds.
Suds safety tip: Have sweaters dry-cleaned at the end of the winter before you place them in storage - moths love eating stained clothing.
Bras
Wash them: Every three to four times you wear them.
What to know: Everyday wear can be tough on the elastic, so give your bras a break by switching in a new one every day to make your lingerie last longer. Toss them in a mesh bag and use the delicate cycle to protect your undergarments.
Suds safety tip: To make your bras last longer, hand wash them in gentle lingerie-specific detergent and hang to dry.
Jeans
Wash them: Every four to five times you wear them.
What to know: Jeans are pretty sturdy, so they can stand up to a lot of wear and tear before they need a good wash. The darker the denim, the longer you can go, while super-skinny jeans should be washed more frequently. Tip: to quickly shrink your skinnies between washes, throw them in a quick rinse cycle, inside-out, then place them in the dryer to get their shape back.
Suds safety tip: Keep jeans looking luxe for longer by washing them inside out, in cold water, and hanging them to dry. Want jeans to last a lifetime? Pick up a pair of raw or selvage denim- some companies suggest that you only seldom (or never!) wash them.
Blazers and jackets
Wash them: For blazers, every six times you wear them. For jackets, every season.
Blazers generally don't sit next to the skin, so they only need to be washed after a half-dozen wears or so. Your lighter outerwear pieces, such as a denim or fleece jacket, only needs to be washed once or twice a season.
Suds safety tip: Keep an eye on easily-soiled spots like the collar and cuffs and treat any grime with a stain removal pen as they occur.
Dresses and tops
Wash them: After every wear.
What to know: These garments need a lot more care and should be washed after almost every wear, especially in the summer (sweat alert!). If they're bright-coloured or have a decal, wash these pieces inside out to preserve the designs for longer. Hang dresses and tops to dry them back into their natural shape.
Suds safety tip: Extend the life of your favourite pieces by going easy on the anti-perspirant. Before washing, make sure to do up any snaps, buttons, or hooks so they don't snag on other items.
Pants
Wash them: Every four to five times you wear them.
What to know: If they're chinos or khakis wash them a little more often- every three times you wear them- to keep these lighter pairs stain-free. Use cold water to avoid fading.
Suds safety tip: Dry cleaning is really the best option for keeping your woolen trousers chic, but if you can't afford it, try an at-home kit instead for a fraction of the cost.
Skirts
Wash them: Every four or five times you wear them.
What to know: Circle skirts and a-line styles have a lot of movement to them, saving them from the type of wear and staining that pants often get.
Suds safety tip: Wash pencil skirts (and anything silk or light-coloured) more often as they're more prone to staining.
More from Chatelaine:
- How to wear the cape
- Five blazer styles and how to wear them
- Six ways to wear the classic slim pant
- 10 winter wardrobe pick-me-ups
- Five runway-inspired winter coats we love
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