There is nothing quite as disappointing as seeing a newly purchased piece of clothing lose its shape after the first wash. Some even lose their color as well. It is not easy trying to keep up with the clothing needs of a growing boy. It puts a real strain on the family’s budget. While we have no control over how fast they are growing or outgrowing their clothes, we can try a few things when caring for boys’ clothes to extend their lifespan, keep them looking fresh for longer, and save money and waste in the process. This all comes down to proper garment care.
Be Practical
When shopping, be wise and choose clothes that are easy to wash, comfortable, easy to clean without problems, and also easy to dry. Think of cotton. Great material for sweating, it’s breathable, and it is soft and cool against the skin. Be aware and do not choose clothes with applique, embellishments, sequins, or delicate instructions. These may be difficult to wash and you run the risk of them coming loose during washing.
Washing
(1) Before washing, separate clothes, whites, light colors, and darker colors.
(2) Search pockets and remove items left there, a piece of tissue, a pen or crayons can get very messy in the washer, and can also cause damage to the pockets and equipment.
(3) Be sure to close zippers and any other fasteners on the clothing. Tie strings loosely to avoid them getting knotted.
(4) Turn clothes inside out. This will help to avoid dye bleeding and to preserve clothes’ vibrant colors.
(5) Check the label for washing instructions. Different fabrics required different care. Some fabrics are vulnerable to damage by harsh chemicals and heat.
(6) Select your detergents. Pre-soak if needed. These days people are choosing more eco-friendly soap powders and detergents. Keep in mind that some detergents are harsh and will cause irritation to the skin.
(7) Select the correct temperature. Wash clothes at low temperatures to get the fabrics clean and soft and also to keep the colors looking bright. This will also help clothes to keep their shape.
Washing clothes is the means of getting all the dirt, sweat, and stains out of the clothes so they can be worn again without the bad odor or dull looks caused by dirt. This is usually done with water, whether hot or cold along with a detergent. You may choose to do this with a washing machine or by hand.
Dryer vs Air Drying 
With a dryer, you do not have to worry if there is going to be rain or snow. Also depending on the loads, the dryer will be much faster in drying. Your only concern will be the instructions on the care label. With parents’ hectic schedule sometimes there is no time to air dry. The dryer will also protect the clothes from dust and will decrease wrinkles, which require minimal ironing in the end.
However, although very convenient the dryer can cause damage to clothes and can decrease elasticity. We get a lot of advice to avoid the dryer for certain fabrics like wool. Also, in the case where we are not sure if the stains are completely removed. It is said that the heat will set the stain and make it almost impossible to remove after drying. We should hang outside as the sun has bleach-free stain-removing magic. Sunlight also acts as a natural disinfectant.
Consider air drying for boys’ clothes as it gives you a crisp, clean, and fresh smell. It is also good for the environment as it does not require energy to run and does not cause damage to the fibers. This can be done by simply hanging a clothesline, using a drying rack or hangers, and again paying attention to labels as some clothes are recommended to dry flat.
Depending mostly on the season both methods of drying can be alternated so as to get the best of both worlds.
What To Avoid
(1) Avoid harsh soaps and detergents with a strong scent as these can cause skin irritations.
(2) Avoid tumble drying or bleaching on merino wool as these will cause loss of color and out-of-shape clothes.
(3) Avoid using too much detergent or fabric softener as these will cause a build-up of suds which prevents the clothes from being properly cleaned.
(4) Avoid putting detergent or fabric directly on clothes. These will leave a residue on the clothes which makes them appear dull with white marks all over them.
(5) Avoid overloading the machine, leave space so the clothes can move around.
(6) Avoid leaving clothes in the machine after washing, this will cause a musty smell or excessive wrinkling.
(7) Avoid clothes that state dry clean only on the label. Dry cleaning is a chemically intensive process that may cause a negative effect on the fibers and also have a negative impact on the environment.
Tips
(1) Wash all newly purchased clothes before your boy wears them to get rid of bacteria.
(2) If your boy makes a mess, clean away as much as possible, and if convenient rinse clothes or soak them in cold water until you are able to wash them.
(3) Never soak in hot water as the heat might set the stain making it impossible to remove.
(4) Learn a little DIY. Learn how to repair a loose thread, how to fix a zipper, or how to replace a missing button. Learning how to do these basic repairs will make a big difference in your budget and also the lifespan of the clothes.
Conclusion
Caring for your boys’ clothes does not require special skills. First, be practical when shopping and buy clothes that are easy to care for. Follow the basic steps for washing just as you would for your clothes. Choose your preferred method of drying, taking into consideration the season and how much time you have. There are also some simple things to avoid and also some important tips to consider so as to get value for money.
If you have any questions or comments, or you may have an idea you would like to share, please leave it in the comments below.