This is how you ensure that your clothes last longer according to ‘RUSSH’

Australians are the second largest consumers of textiles in the world. We are second only to the US.

The average Australian buys 56 new items of clothing every year. This amounts to 383,000 tons of new clothing purchased in one year. We consume clothing at twice the rate of the average nation.

The saddest part is that 90% of the clothes Australians buy are thrown away within 12 months. Every Australian throws away 23 kilos of clothing every year. Every 10 minutes, 6,000 kilos of clothing are dumped into landfills in this country.

There’s no denying that we have a fashion problem. A fast fashion problem.

The low prices of fast fashion retailers may seem tempting at first. But know this.

Fast fashion manufacturers rely on their items to be of poor quality. It means throwing them away sooner – and ultimately buying more in the long run.

According to the (LG) Laundry Care Report 2024, the top causes of clothing being thrown away or replaced are damage (48%) and poor condition (42%).

It is also extremely important to mention that fast fashion also comes at a horrific human cost. It’s impossible to sell a t-shirt for five dollars without a worker being exploited somewhere in the supply chain. This is a major reason why France has passed a bill to limit the production of fast fashion.

Participating in fast fashion creates a vicious circle that is difficult to get out of. But the first step is to make the things you do have last longer so you don’t have to replace them as often. If you’re looking to change your shopping habits, these are the tips and tricks our team uses to make our own clothes last longer.

1. Wash cold

According to Marketing Manager for Home Appliances at LG Australia, Shannon Tweedie, cold water helps: “preserve the integrity of the fabric and prevent fading.”

“Modern detergents work effectively in cold water, so you don’t have to sacrifice cleanliness for preservation.”

By washing with cold water you also prevent your clothes from shrinking. Plus. it will help you save on your energy bills.

2. Do not use more than the recommended amount of detergent

Too much detergent does more harm than good. Tweedie says, “If you use too much, your clothes won’t get cleaner and residue may remain.” This residue is harmful to your fabrics and can shorten its lifespan.

3. Buy moisture absorbers for your closet to combat mold

If you live somewhere humid, you need moisture absorbers for your wardrobe. This can drastically reduce the chance of one of your favorite pieces of clothing ending up covered in mold. You can obtain hanging moisture absorbers at any hardware store.

You can also wipe leather items with vinegar and regularly apply leather conditioners to prevent mold from developing.

4. Avoid fabric softener

Our deepest condolences to our fabric softener fanatics, but it actively shortens the lifespan of your clothes and towels. If you long for that soft feeling. Instead, add a dash of white vinegar to your laundry.

5. Lay the knits flat to dry

Drying your knits on a flat surface will prevent them from stretching and eventually losing their shape.

6. Repair any damage before it gets worse

Small cracks and tears will become much worse if you don’t repair them early. If you notice a slight pull, move the pull to the inside of the garment. If the stitch is broken, sew it back up immediately before the break widens. Repair holes, repair breaks, cut loose wires. And if you don’t have the sewing skills, ask your friends for a good tailor near you.

7. When buying new clothes, choose quality fabrics

Some fabrics are more durable than others. Cotton, linen and wool generally remain in good condition much longer than polyester and other plastic fabrics. This is because natural fibers are more resilient when it comes to daily wearing and washing.

When shopping, look at the composition of the garment you are going to buy. You can keep a good wool sweater for decades (I certainly have!), but a polyester sweater might only last you a year or two.

8. Buy less, buy better

Instead of buying five tank tops from a fast fashion brand, it is always a better investment to buy one high-quality item from an ethical brand.

Not only will one quality piece last longer, but you will also feel prouder wearing it. Think about how you dress now. Don’t you notice that you often reach for those pieces that you spent a little more money on? Which suits you better? That you are proud to mention the name Drop when people ask you where the piece comes from?

Think about this the next time a very tempting fast fashion ad pops up on your TikTok feed.

9. Avoid the dryer – line drying is better

The heat and tumbling will shorten the life of everything from your dish towels to your t-shirts. Avoid using it if you can.

In addition, the sun acts as a natural antibacterial agent and helps kill insects and odors. Line drying is your best friend.

10. Clean where you can

Is it worth putting an entire dress in the wash just because of a little splash of soy sauce? Try spot cleaning instead. You can purchase a stain removal pen to find small stains.

11. Next time you are looking for a washing machine, choose an intelligent washing machine that is kinder to your clothes

If you can adjust your washing routine, you can actually extend the life of your clothes. If you are looking for machines that allow you to adjust the spin cycles or turn them off completely, this will be very beneficial for your delicate laundry. It’s also helpful to find a machine with multiple temperature settings rather than just the binary hot or cold. This allows you to choose more precisely how you want to treat your garments. There are also washing machines that can measure the detergent correctly for you. Some LG washing machines have a feature called ezDispense®, which releases the optimal amount of detergent based on the amount of laundry.

12. Adapt or adapt trend pieces to keep them relevant

If you have a piece of clothing that is out of fashion and you no longer feel your best when you wear it, see if there is a way to change or adjust it to make it more relevant. Hemming a dress or taking a shirt is better than buying something completely new.