We all know if you care for your clothes properly, they can last far longer than expected.  While living in a consumer society, we are expected to dash out and purchase something new the moment our favorite garment is in disrepair.  So let's prevent the disrepair by maintaining our outfits correctly. Following are simple but effective tips:  1. Storing your clothesIt is so important to store your clothes correctly. By that I mean, not on the floor. While different fabrics have specific care instructions, it is important to keep your clothes away from moisture and preferably hung. So if you have a leaky basement, it might not be a good idea to store you clothes down there, even IF you are hanging them. It's paramount to avoid damp and dank areas when storing clothing so make sure to get your garments to higher ground.  2. The Perfect HangerExperts have always suggested that hangers rule over folding.  But did you know the type of hanger you use can make a difference? Using cushioned fabric hangers or cedar hangers over plastic is preferred because they are broader. This enables your clothes to have better support. I wouldn't suggest wire hangers, even if you are cramped for space because they tend to stretch your garments and then you will get those weird marks on the shoulders that clearly say "I hang my clothes on wire hangers".  Another great alternative for people such as myself who have small closets are to grab a few packages of slim line hangers.  They have a velvet-like coating to enable your apparel to stay-put and are thin enough to fit in the most diminutive of cubbyhole closets.  3. Wash Before StoringIf you wore something out for only a few hours and are about to hang it back in your closet. STOP! It's not to your advantage to rehang worn clothing especially if you don't plan on sporting it in the near future. First of all, it's dreadful for your outfit but what is worse is that nasty little cloths-eating creature, Mr. Moth, is attracted to your natural oils that have been absorbed by your clothing.   4. Goodbye stained cottonFor most, cotton is a must-have fabric. Perfect for hot summer days, it is breathable and absorbent. But it also becomes a repository for sweat, antiperspirants and body oils delivering those unsightly yellowish blots around the neck and under the arms of even your prettiest top. Always treat these areas with a stain remover prior to putting them in the laundry. This will stop those spiteful stains before they can make their mark.  5. Put it in a bagMake sure you check the care instructions on the label to ensure your clothing is washer-safe BEFORE you even think about sticking your sequined trimmed cardigan into the machine. Even if the care label gives you the green light on the washing machine, I still recommend placing your garments into a specially designed bag made for delicates. Also, if you have the option, set your machine to wash delicately.  6. Beware of the dryerSimilar to washing your delicates, always check the care instructions on your clothing before throwing them in the dryer. Wool should never even see the inside of a dryer because often times wool that goes in a dryer will come out with a new fragrance... ode burnta fabrica. An alternative to your dryer is of course hanging your clothes on the line either on a drying rack or in the sunshine. While it may be a bit time consuming, it's far better for your clothes. This is something to consider on our hot summer days.  7. Classic IroningCertain fabrics should stay as far away from an iron as possible. Again, this where those handy little care instructions come into play. And for goodness sakes, always double check your iron's setting. Even though there is a high setting, it's my practice to keep the iron on medium which lessens the rick of scorching my garments. Also, a little word of advice from my experience, never iron a stain! My mom didn't tell me that ironing a stain only fixes it into the fabric and ends up appearing worse. I learned the hard way.  So there you go. Reading care labels can surely set you in the right direction to the best care for your clothing. Remember, be aware of your settings on your washer, dryer and iron. Give attention on how you store your clothes. In applying these suggestions, you will be amazed on how much longer you clothes will last. But not only that, you will save money too. Nothing wrong with that!