We all have those couple of pieces of clothing in our wardrobe that we’ve had forever. Sometimes it’s because they’ve managed to hold up remarkably well over the years. Sometimes it’s because we just love the way we look and feel in that piece of clothing and we just can’t bear to get rid of it. So what if it has a couple of holes and is faded beyond reason? Thankfully, there are a number of ways that you can make your clothes last longer. That way, you can make your favorite pieces really go the distance. You know, without having to come up with creative ways to hide those holes. Or, relegating a favorite pair of pants to days where you won’t be out in public.

Wash Your Clothes Less

Going through the laundry often can be hard on your precious clothing pieces. One of the most fundamental ways to make your clothes last longer is to simply wash them less frequently. Now, we’re not advocating wearing around funky smelling clothes. And obviously, if there are stains, the clothes will have to take a trip to ol’ Wash and Tumble Land. But, if the garment is stain and stink free, you really don’t need to wash it after every wear. Washing your clothes too frequently can damage and fade color and ruin elasticity. The heat from the dryer can also fade your colors and cause your garment to shrink. Avoid! When you do have to wash, wash your clothes inside out.

Step Up Your Hanger Game

Did you know that a good wooden hanger can do wonders to make your clothes last longer? Plastic and wire hangers might be far easier on the wallet, but they can cause the shoulders of your fave shirts to sag and stretch in weird ways. You typically see this when you “rediscover” a piece lurking in the back of your closet you haven’t worn in awhile. Then you go to put it on, and the shoulders look super weird. A wash will usually largely fix the issue, but wooden hangers are still the way to go.

Utilize Old Pillow Cases

Old pillow cases can help save and protect your clothes, shoes, and even handbags. If you don’t have one of those mesh bags to help protect your delicates in the wash, wash them in a pillow case! It does the trick and now you have one less “adult” thing to buy. Old pillow cases can also come to the rescue of your shoes and purses. Instead of buying cotton dust protectors, use a pillow case instead.

Give Your Clothes Some Space

One of the biggest culprits for clothing damage is not giving your clothing enough space. When clothes are forced to rub up against each other, it can damage the pieces. There’s snags, there’s pulls, and there’s just general friction. You want to make sure you do this in both your closet, as well as during a laundry cycle. It can be tempting to throw all your dirty clothes in the washer at once, but it’s a big no-no for those who want to make their clothes last longer