For natural fibers, you should be good with just a little water and stretching. (Yet another reason to prioritize clothes made from natural fabrics.) “Natural fibers such as cotton, wool, and even rayon can be coaxed back into shape with a little TLC,” she adds. “My personal quick fix is to mist the garment all over with some water and then make my husband put it on and move around in it a bit. This works great for jeans, most knits, and woolly sweaters.” So, wash with cold water on the delicate cycle and use the “low heat” and “less dry” settings when you don’t air dry, she says. “Wool dryer balls can also help decrease the drying time and increase air circulation.” And of course, washing your clothes less often will help them last longer. Things like jeans and bulky sweaters can definitely handle going a few wears before being cleaned. “Wearing a T-shirt or camisole under your sweater will help you get a few more wears between washes, and jeans last much longer and will retain that perfect fit if you wash them less often,” Green says. You’ll notice that most of these care tips also make laundry day a little lighter impact on the environment, an added bonus.
