Updated
3 ways to make your outwear last longer
Have fallen raindrops left damp spots on your shoulders, despite the shell jacket you have on? Or do your child's trousers and bottoms get wet from winter overalls that can't seem to keep the water at bay? Don't worry there are sustainable solutions to these everyday problems!
3 ways to make your outwear last longer
It seems reasonable to want to swap out clothing items that no longer serve their purpose. If one has a winter coat, one should expect that it should keep you war and dry in rainy and snowy weather, just like shell jackets should be able to withstand when it rains cats and dogs. However, there's often ways to squeeze our some more usage out of a clothing item that has started to wear out a bit. It also goes without saying that this is also better for your wallet and the environment if you can make your jackets, coats or overalls last for as long as possible. Waste not, want not!
1. Clean properly!
One way to give your outwear a longer lifetime is naturally, to take good care of them from the outset. This especially includes items that should be waterproof or water resistant, so using the right cleaning solution and being sparing with your use of it is key. Even with your child's muddy outerwear one can make a huge difference by rinsing it in the shower, giving it a good brushing/scrubbing to removed caked-on mud and sand or by simply giving it a good wipe-down with a damp washcloth.
2 . Patch up
Just because a clothing item has gotten a small tear or rip, doesn't mean you have to immediately throw it in the bin. Reducing waste is a key way to help protect the environment, so try to think of solutions that can repair your clothing and let it last longer. A faulty or stiff zipper that doesn't work can easily be sorted out with a bit of lubricant or cheaply replaced at your friendly neighbourhood tailor. If your outerwear, say a shell jacket or trousers has a hole or tear, then it's worth a shot to try and mend it with a patch. The easiest solution is to grab a repair kit. That way you can cover any holes with patches made out of a durable material that can be sewn on or stuck on with some special clothing adhesive.
3. Re-waterproof before winter arrives
This one applies first and foremost for kids, who are known for jumping in puddles and rolling around in sleet and snow when it comes, so being waterproof is a key thing to consider. Clothing that lets water slip through unabated is not a great choice for rainy and wintry days. Waterproofing for textiles is often negatively affected if clothes are washed too often or with the wrong kind of cleaning solution or detergent. Luckily, there's plenty of great cleaning solutions out there for waterproofing outerwear at your disposal. This way, you can completely or partly re-apply the water-resistance of your clothing, which can help you hold out until the next winter season to grab a new winter coat or jacket - helping you save money and cutting down on material waste!
Want to read more about sustainable lifestyle?
The Sustainable Lifestyle theme is PriceRunner's series on products that are ecologically produced, how one can replace single-use items and how to get started with smart solutions and habits for leading a more sustainable life!
