Forget fast fashion and take care of your clothes instead

The world is inundated with fast fashion, but that doesn't mean it's a good thing. Trends fade. Pieces are poorly made. Non-durable fabrics and stitching is everywhere. After all, there’s a reason some of the pieces are so affordable.

But with this affordability also comes a sense of indifference towards the piece. You only spent $15 on that shirt, why bother trying to fix it? Just throw it in the trash instead. In fact, in the U.S. alone, millions of  tons of textiles end up in the landfill each year.

Instead of buying into the fast fashion mindset, let’s instead appreciate and care for our clothes. Not only will this reduce waste, but it’ll save you money in the long run. Mulberry Unlimited can help protect your apparel purchases and all your products under the same protection plan, complete with unlimited claims and coverage. It's a great way to care for your items and ensure they last, rather than wasting money replacing them.

How to read clothing care labels 

Most people cut out or rip the clothing care labels in their clothes instead of actually reading them. We encourage you if you want to properly care for your clothes to actually pay attention to them.

Some clothing care labels clearly outline what to do, but some simply use symbols that most people don’t know. Rather than having to look up what the symbols mean every time, you can get a handy laundry symbol guide that you can put in the laundry room for easy access. We recommend sorting your items first based on color (white, dark, and colored garments) and second based on wash instructions.

How to hand wash clothes

A great way to protect delicate fabrics and colors is by hand washing the piece. Here’s how to hand wash clothes to protect even the most delicate fabrics:

1. Read the clothing care label (as referenced above).
2. Fill a clean tub or sink with water at the temperature recommended on the clothing care label. If no care label exists, choose lukewarm water.
3. Mix in about a teaspoon of detergent until sudsing. You may need more if you’re doing multiple, bulky, or heavily-soiled items.
4. Submerge the item(s) and gently swish in the basin until clean.
5. Remove the garment and empty the basin. Refill the basin with clean, cool water.
6. Submerge the item(s) again until all soap is removed. Repeat if necessary.

How to wash white clothes 

Speaking of different colored clothing, nothing plagues people with more stains and issues than white clothing. Although dyes have come quite some way, and we no longer typically have our whites coming out pink when there’s something red in the wash with it, white clothing is still susceptible to fading and absorbing other colors.

Here’s how to wash your white clothes to keep them staying white: 

1. Make sure to separate white clothing from any colored garments or items.
2. Use the hottest water that is fabric-tolerable (at least 120 degrees works best)*.
3. Get a white laundry-specific detergent and use the max amount per load size.

*Always check clothing care labels for proper wash temperature

How to wash colored clothes 

Just like white clothes losing their color, colored clothing, particularly bold or bright colors, will fade over time. Here’s how to wash colored clothes so they last as long as possible:

1. Make sure to separate out white or dark items (like denim).
2. Wash in cold water to prevent bleeding and fading*.
3. Use the gentle or delicate cycle for a slower spin to keep the color lasting longer.
4. Get a liquid laundry detergent (powders can leave a residue) that is formulated for colored clothing.

*Always check clothing care labels for proper wash temperature

How to wash baby clothes 

Your tot’s clothing will get all kinds of use and abuse while they’re in them. And although they may not wear one piece for very long, if you want to keep them from kid to kid, it’s important you take care of them.

Here’s how to wash baby clothes to get them clean and staying fresh: 

1. Pretreat any stains with a strong stain remover made for babies, like Miss Mouth’s Messy Eater Baby Stain Remover.
2. Wash baby clothing separately from the rest of the clothing, and sort by color just like adult clothes.
3. Choose a laundry detergent formulated for babies sensitive skin.
4. Wash with cold water on a gentle cycle and dry on a low-heat setting.

Protect all your apparel with Mulberry

When you subscribe to Mulberry Unlimited, you can get all your apparel and online purchases covered under the same product protection plan. With unlimited coverage, unlimited claims, and no hidden fees or deductibles, you'll get the best extended warranty coverage on the market for cheaper than most other plans.