How to Make Your Work Clothes Last Longer

The minimalist movement is here and it's about time! We love that minimalism is about curating a closet of versatile, high quality, and hopefully ethical clothing that fits you well - and nothing else. But once you find the clothes you love, then comes the next step: making them last as long as possible. Here are a few tips to keep your minimalist closet looking chic for years to come:

1. Air Dry

Machine-drying your clothes is some of the harshest treatment your clothes are likely to face. Between the heat and constant motion, drying can actually worsen clothing discoloration, pilling and fiber integrity. Avoid all this and save on your energy bill by skipping the dryer and using a cute crying rack instead. Very European!

2. No Fabric Softener

Despite the name, fabric softener doesn't actually do much to change or improve your clothes. Instead, it adds more unnecessary chemicals that might cause allergic reactions or even degrade your clothes depending on their materials. Just skip this step all together in your laundry routine.

3. Know When to Fold

Not every garment is meant for a hanger. Delicate knits, especially, can be permanently stretched by hanging. So make sure to fold your sweaters - especially wool and cashmere.

4. Adopt an Apron

It's so sad to lose a favorite piece of clothing to a stain. Avoid the most common types of stain (food and drink) by wearing an apron while cooking and eating at home. Get (or make!) a cute one that inspires you to cook at home, which is often a more sustainable and affordable option than going out to eat.

5. Wash Less, Disinfect More

Like drying, washing can also be a bit harsh on clothes, so only wash items when the really need it. In between washes, use a homemade nontoxic fabric spray to keep clothes smelling fresh. You can use an ounce of organic vodka, a few drops of organic lavender essential oil, a few drops of organic tea tree oil, and water in a spray bottle. Change proportions to your scent preference. The tea tree oil and alcohol will kill the bacteria that makes clothing smell. Freshness without the washing machine = yay!

Cameron Bruns Ewing is the managing editor of Just Us Gals. She works in sales at Hubspot and is also pursuing a degree in environmental sustainability from University College Dublin