At The Little Stitch, sustainability forms the foundation of everything we do. While we do our best to bring you clothes made from natural fabrics that are good for your kid as well as the environment, the responsibility towards maintaining these clothes to increase their lifespan and using them to their optimum potential lies on you. And, though kid’s clothing can get very difficult to maintain, considering their never-ending adventures, you can easily increase the cloth's lifespan with a few simple steps. So, let’s delve into some effective ways of taking care of kid’s clothes.
- Be Mindful of the Fabrics
Choose fabrics that are easier to maintain as they will naturally last longer. Fabrics like cotton and linen are breathable, comfortable, and easy to care for, making them an appropriate choice. It would help if you avoided clothing that comes with specific care instructions. Following these in a heap of laundry can be difficult, significantly reducing the cloth’s lifespan. Yes, fur and sequins are absolutely adorable but you’ll end up throwing them out faster than you believe.
- Treat Stains as Soon as You Can
Kids are ever-involved in a plethora of activities; crawling, running, and touching everything on their way, excited to explore everything they can. As a result, they often end up soiling and staining their clothes. You must try to treat these stains as soon as possible. This ensures they don’t settle into the clothes and clothes remain spot-free. To ensure the same, the easiest way is to use stain-erasing pens which get rid of stains in a jiffy. Another way to tackle it is to soak the garment in a cold water solution of baking soda or white vinegar.
- Use Mild Detergents
Kids have soft and sensitive skin that can be easily allergy-prone. Regular detergents are not the best choice to wash children’s clothes as they can cause irritation and allergies. You can look for mild, fragrance-free detergents or you can opt for detergents made out of natural ingredients, such as soap nut, borax, or vinegar. These detergents are safe, prevent colour fading, and also keep the clothes looking fresh. Owing to the increasing eco-consciousness and awareness about the adverse impacts of chemicals, these options are now more easily available than ever before.
- Use a Mild Wash Cycle
Though hand washing is the best way to preserve the integrity and quality of clothes, we understand it is seldom possible. If you must use a washing machine, use it on a mild cycle and use a mesh laundry bag. These steps will ensure the clothes don’t lose elements like buttons, embellishments, zips, etc. Also, it prevents the clothes from losing their colour and structure, enhancing their life.
- Dry Them With Care
If you want to be very diligent in taking care of your kid’s clothes, drying can not be overlooked. To increase the shelf life of your kid’s clothes, don’t tumble dry them. Carefully dry them outside in the indirect sun, without wringing too much. This will ensure the clothes are clean and fresh due to daylight and placing them in indirect sunlight will prevent colour fading and shrinking, too.
- Store them Properly
After the washing and drying, ensure the clothes are completely dry before storing them in the cupboards. Dust off the clothes properly when you pick them from the drying rack and fold and store them. These two simple steps can ensure that the clothes remain free from mould and insect infestation as that can wreak havoc on your kid’s health. Another thing you must ensure is to keep rotating the clothes’ placement in the almihra to ensure all clothes are evenly used.
- Mend, Don’t Throw
Lastly, while little tears and loose hems and buttons are common, these are not irreparable. If you mend little flaws at home, you definitely increase the cloth’s shelf life. At the same time, you also prevent an addition to the landfills, doing your bit for the environment.
These are some simple ways of taking care of your kid’s clothes. With these little pointers, your child’s clothes will look fresh and vibrant for longer and your tiny tots can shine in their favourite attires for a longer time.