Introduction

As a fresh graduate entering the workforce, I have to worry about my outfit every day. I recently discovered something super annoying: that Supreme collaboration T-shirt I just bought got deformed after just one wash - it made me want to curse! And that white shirt I bought during Taobao's 618 sale has already turned yellow after wearing it just a few times. It really hurts!

I know you must have encountered similar problems. Don't panic! After two years of trial and error and research, I've compiled a powerful set of clothing care secrets that I guarantee will work! Follow my lead, and I promise your beloved clothes will stay fresh as new, making every piece you buy worth the money!

The Art of Sorting

To be honest, I used to be one of those "stuff everything in" players who just threw clothes into the washing machine and called it done. The painful lessons came one after another: my favorite Uniqlo white T got dyed pink (because I washed it with a new red hoodie), and my thousand-yuan COS wool coat shrunk to Barbie size (because I used hot water).

After countless failures, I finally figured out a simple sorting mantra: color, material, dirt. This might sound abstract, so let me explain in detail:

First, "color" means sorting by color. For example, I have three laundry baskets at home: white, light colors, and dark colors. The white basket is mainly for white shirts and T-shirts, light colors for beige and light blue clothes, and dark colors for black and navy items. After sorting this way, my white shirts never got dyed again.

As for "material," it means sorting by fabric. Different materials have different temperaments. For example, my Uniqlo and MUJI cotton-linen shirts need special attention to water temperature and detergent amount. My girlfriend's silk items need to be hand-washed separately. Wool sweaters? They're priority protection items that must use special wool detergent and controlled water temperature.

Lastly, "dirt" means sorting by how dirty things are. For example, my sweaty sports clothes after basketball must be washed separately. Same with pants splashed with mud on rainy days. These especially dirty clothes won't get clean if washed with other clothes, and might even make other clothes dirty.

Pre-wash Checks

Speaking of which, I must complain about my roommate. He just throws clothes into the washing machine without even checking the labels. The result? His 500-yuan brand-name hoodie is now in a terrible state.

Actually, every piece of clothing comes with its "instruction manual" - that often-ignored care label. Though the symbols look mysterious, they all have specific meanings. For example, the washtub symbol shows the maximum washing temperature. A crossed-out iron means the garment can't be ironed.

I've developed a good habit of doing three things before washing clothes. First is carefully checking the care label. I remember the first time I bought an A&F shirt, I didn't check the label and used hot water, causing it to shrink. Now it just collects dust in my closet.

Second is checking all pockets. This is no joke - I once forgot to check my jeans pockets and washed a shopping receipt and some tissues together, leaving paper bits all over the washing machine. Even worse was when I left a pen in a shirt pocket - that was a disaster.

Third is carefully checking for stains. If you find stains, they must be treated first. I now carry a stain removal pen and treat stains immediately. Pay special attention to collars and cuffs where dirt tends to accumulate.

Washing Tips

When it comes to specific washing methods, that's a whole field of study. I've made an Excel spreadsheet just to record how to wash different fabrics over these two years.

Let's start with the most common T-shirts. Many people think there's nothing special about washing T-shirts, but there's actually a lot to it. I noticed T-shirts washed in hot water tend to fade and deform easily. I did a small experiment: bought two identical Uniqlo T-shirts, washed one in hot water and one in cold water. After a month, the hot water one was obviously yellowed and slightly deformed, while the cold water one still looked new.

Especially for printed T-shirts, cold water washing helps the design last longer. I have a brand-name printed T-shirt that's almost two years old, and because I've always used cold water, the print hasn't cracked or peeled. My friend's same shirt, washed in hot water, started peeling after just a few washes.

Jeans care is also particular. When I bought my first pair of APC raw denim jeans, I really invested in them! To make them last longer, I did thorough research. First, jeans don't need frequent washing. I basically wash them every 10 wears unless they're really dirty. And when washing, always turn them inside out to protect the fading effect on the outside.

Choosing detergent is also a science. I now keep three types at home: regular, wool-specific, and sports-specific. For regular clothes, I use Kao Japanese laundry liquid - it's gentle yet effective. For wool items, I use protein detergent specifically for wool - this must be professional-grade or you'll easily ruin wool sweaters. For sports clothes, I use special sports odor-removing detergent that effectively removes post-workout odors.

Water temperature control is also important. Generally, 40 degrees is a safe temperature, but for special fabrics like silk and wool, it's best to keep it below 30 degrees. I installed a thermometer at home and check the water temperature before each wash. It's a bit troublesome, but worth it for the clothes' sake.

The Art of Drying

Drying is truly an art. My balcony is a professional drying area with all kinds of drying racks and hangers.

Let's talk about drying shirts first. I now have a set of professional wooden shirt hangers. Though expensive, they work really well. When shirts are still wet, fix the collar and cuffs, then hang them up. This way, shirts will be crisp when dry, no ironing needed. Also, avoid direct sunlight when drying to prevent fading.

Sweater drying is even more particular. Never hang them like regular clothes or they'll deform. The correct method is to lay sweaters flat on a drying net and gently adjust their shape. I bought a special sweater drying rack from Taobao that works great. When drying, be careful not to let sweaters stretch too much or they'll deform.

Jeans drying has its techniques too. I usually fold jeans in half and clip the waistband with special pants hangers. This way, jeans keep their shape when dry and won't have clip marks. This is especially important for expensive jeans.

Storage Solutions

Honestly, my closet used to be a disaster zone with clothes just stuffed in randomly. Later I found this not only wrinkles clothes but also affects their lifespan. Now my closet follows professional storage standards.

First is hanger selection. Different clothes need different hangers. For suits and coats, I use wooden hangers. Though they cost over 50 yuan each, it's worth investing for the clothes' sake. Regular T-shirts and shirts can use good quality plastic hangers. Those thin wire hangers should be avoided as they leave marks on clothes' shoulders.

Folded clothes need attention too. I now use a set of storage boxes to categorize different types of clothes. One box for T-shirts, another for sweaters - it's neat and convenient. Plus, I rotate clothes monthly to ensure good ventilation and prevent mold.

Special mention goes to seasonal clothing storage. For winter items like down jackets and sweaters, make sure they're completely dry before storage, add some moisture-absorbing packets, then store in vacuum bags. This saves space and prevents moths and moisture.

Final Words

After saying all this, it really comes down to one word: love. Only by truly caring for your clothes can they last longer and look better. Though these care methods seem troublesome, think about those clothes costing hundreds or thousands - this effort is really worth it.

Moreover, properly caring for clothes not only saves money but gives a sense of achievement. Every time I see my neatly organized closet with well-maintained clothes, it makes me feel great.

Finally, I'd love to know if you have any unique clothing care tips? Or any interesting experiences while caring for your clothes? Welcome to share in the comments - maybe we can learn new care methods from each other!