10 Hacks To Prolong The Life Of Your Uniform

10 Simple Hacks to Prolong the Life of Your Clothes

Clothing is an investment — whether it’s everyday wear, work uniforms, or branded merch. The good news? You don’t need special products or expensive equipment to make garments last longer. A few smart habits can dramatically extend the life, colour, and fit of your clothes.

Here are 10 simple, proven hacks to help you get more wear out of every piece.

1. Wash Clothes Inside Out

Turning garments inside out reduces friction on the outer surface during washing. This helps prevent fading, pilling, and damage to prints, embroidery, and logos.

2. Wash on Colder Temperatures

Hot water breaks down fibres faster and causes colours to fade. Cold or cool washes are gentler on fabrics and also help prevent shrinkage — especially important for cotton and blended garments.

3. Avoid Overwashing

If something isn’t visibly dirty or smelly, it probably doesn’t need a wash yet. Overwashing is one of the biggest reasons clothes wear out prematurely.

4. Air Dry Whenever Possible

Tumble dryers use heat and agitation, which are tough on fabric. Air drying (even indoors) helps garments retain their shape, strength, and colour for longer. If air drying outside- dry your clothing inside out to prevent fading.

5. Don’t Overload the Washing Machine

Overloading prevents clothes from moving freely, increasing friction and stretching. Washing smaller loads leads to better cleaning and less wear.

6. Use Less Detergent

More detergent doesn’t mean cleaner clothes. Excess detergent can leave residue that stiffens fabric and weakens fibres over time. Follow the dosage guide — or slightly less.

7. Skip Fabric Softener

Fabric softeners coat fibres, which can reduce breathability and durability — especially for activewear, workwear, and uniforms. A gentle wash is usually enough.

8. Close Zips and Fasten Buttons

Open zips and buttons can snag other garments during the wash. Closing them protects both the item itself and everything else in the load.

9. Wash Similar Fabrics Together

Heavy items like hoodies, jeans, or jackets should be washed separately from lighter garments like tees or polos. Mixing weights increases friction and wear.

10. Store Clothes Correctly

Fold knits to avoid stretching, hang structured items properly, and keep clothing out of direct sunlight to prevent fading when stored.