A study released earlier this summer by WRAP, the UK’s leading resource conservation organization, revealed that extending the average life of clothing by just three months can lead to a five to 10 percent reduction in carbon, water and waste footprints. But unless you’re a laundry guru, making that favorite pair of jeans last longer is often easier said than done. To lend a helping hand, Earth911 compiled this list of tips to help you easily extend the life of everything in your closet – reducing your footprint and keeping you away from the mall for yet another day.
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Stop denim from fading
Over-faded jeans are a common closet conundrum. Stop the madness by taking a few simple steps while laundering your jeans, and make that favorite pair last for years to come.
Before washing a new pair of jeans for the first time, soak them in a 50/50 solution of water and white vinegar to set the color.
After the first wash, soak your jeans in a diluted water-and-vinegar mixture for half an hour before laundering to keep colors bright. Try a few tablespoons of vinegar per cup of water, and increase as needed.
And don’t forget to turn jeans inside out before washing! This simple step can add years of unfaded life to your denim.
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