A thorough explanation of how to care for your clothes and tips to make them last longer! [Permanent Edition]

Wouldn't you like to keep your favorite clothes looking fresh and clean?

Even if you decide to take the plunge and buy some expensive clothing, it can quickly become worn out if you don't know how to properly care for it.
No matter how cool the design is, it can be disappointing if dirt, wrinkles, or a strange odor become noticeable.

This time, we will introduce you to some easy ways to care for your clothes at home!
Just taking the time to wash, dry and iron your clothes will make all the difference!

We will also introduce some tips on how to keep the fabric as long as possible with as little damage or staining as possible.

table of contents

Check the washing instructions (washing symbols) before washing

Washing instructions (washing marks) are information necessary for proper care of textile products such as clothing and bedding.

It is displayed using five types of " basic symbols " that represent "how to wash at home," "how to bleach," "how to dry," "how to iron," and "type of cleaning," as well as " additional symbols " and " numbers " that represent "strength," "temperature," "prohibitions," etc.
By reading the label, which combines "basic symbols," "additional symbols," and "numbers," you can determine the appropriate washing method for the textile product.

By understanding the care instructions and handling your clothes properly, you can keep your favorite clothes looking nice and wear them for a longer period of time.

In addition, the washing instructions were updated in December 2016 to conform to international standards (ISO standards).
As globalization progressed and clothing from various countries began to be imported and exported, countries around the world began to standardize on international standards.

Even if you are buying clothes from an overseas brand or overseas, you can properly care for them by washing them according to the care instructions.

Washing clothes without reading the care instructions can cause damage or discoloration to the clothes.
Please refer to the washing label to check the correct care instructions before washing.

■ Types of washing instructions

1. Laundry processing symbols
2. Bleaching treatment symbol
3. Drying process symbol
4. Ironing process symbols
5. Commercial cleaning process symbols

*For more information, please see " Washing Labels (from December 1, 2016) | Consumer Affairs Agency ."

How to do laundry at home

The washing symbols, which are in the shape of a washing tub, are " laundry processing symbols " that indicate how to wash at home.
There are a total of 14 different washing symbols, depending on the combination with additional symbols.

Specifically, a number written in the water in the washing tub indicates the maximum water temperature (the water temperature inside the washing machine), and indicates that the item can be washed in the washing machine if the water temperature is below that temperature.

Additionally, one or two horizontal lines may be written at the bottom of the laundry treatment symbol as an additional symbol.
This indicates the strength of the washing action (mechanical force).
One horizontal line indicates that you should wash with less pressure than no horizontal line, and two horizontal lines indicates that you should wash with even less pressure.
If this horizontal line is not present, general strength is fine.

By the way, if this washing processing symbol has an additional symbol "x" written on it, it cannot be washed at home and should be taken to the dry cleaners.

Additionally, if hand washing is required, the laundry processing symbol will be a hand in a bucket.

Bleaching treatment symbol

The washing symbols indicated by triangles are " bleaching treatment symbols " that indicate how to bleach the garment.
There are three types of washing symbols for bleaching treatment, depending on the combination with additional symbols.

Specifically, it indicates whether oxygen bleach or chlorine bleach can be used.

When caring for your clothes, it is important to know whether they can be bleached.
With this bleaching treatment symbol, you can be sure to clean the item properly, knowing what type of bleach to use if stains or dirt occur.

A single triangle bleaching symbol indicates that the item can be bleached with oxygen bleach or chlorine bleach.

However, if the bleaching symbol has a slash through it, it means that chlorine bleach cannot be used and only oxygen bleach can be used.
Chlorine bleach has stronger bleaching power than oxygen bleach, so it can cause damage to clothing and excessive color fading, so be careful when handling it.

By the way, if this bleaching treatment symbol has an "x" added to it, bleach cannot be used and you will need to remove the stain using another method.

Drying process symbol

The square washing symbols indicate the drying process and indicate how the garment should be dried.
There are a total of 11 different drying treatment symbols, depending on the combination with additional symbols.

Specifically, the additional symbols inside the square indicate how the item should be dried, such as "natural drying symbol" or "tumble drying processing symbol."
Tumble drying is a method of drying clothes quickly by rotating them while applying heat, mainly in a drum-type dryer.

Be careful not to dry the fabric incorrectly, as it may wrinkle or shrink.

Regarding the method of natural drying, if there is a vertical line in the drying process symbol, it means "hang drying," and if there is a horizontal line, it means "lay flat to dry."
Furthermore, if there are two vertical or horizontal lines, it indicates that the garment needs to be "dried wet," and if there is a diagonal line in the upper left corner, it indicates that the garment needs to be "dried in the shade."

Also, to indicate how to tumble dry, an inscribed circle is written within the drying process symbol, indicating that the item can be tumble dried in a dryer. Furthermore, if there is a "・" written within the inscribed circle, it indicates that it can be dried at a low temperature (maximum hot air temperature up to 60°C), and if there is a "・・" written within the inscribed circle, it indicates that it can be dried at a high temperature (maximum hot air temperature up to 80°C).

By the way, if the tumble drying processing symbol has an "x" added to it, the item cannot be tumble dried and must be dried using another method.

Ironing process symbols

The washing symbols in the shape of an iron are " ironing treatment symbols " that indicate how to iron the garment.
There are four different ironing care symbols, depending on the combination with additional symbols.

Specifically, if there is a "・" inside the shape of an iron, it means that it can be used at low temperatures (the maximum temperature of the iron's bottom surface is 110°C).
Furthermore, if it says "...", it means that it can be ironed at medium temperature (maximum iron bottom temperature is 150°C), and if it says "...", it means that it can be ironed at high temperature (maximum iron bottom temperature is 200°C).

If you do not iron according to the care instructions, the clothes may shrink or develop permanent wrinkles during the final finishing process, so you need to be very careful.

By the way, if the ironing process symbol has an "x" added to it, it cannot be ironed.
If you absolutely need finishing, you will need to have it done at a dry cleaner's.

Commercial cleaning process symbols

The circular washing symbols are " commercial cleaning treatment symbols " that indicate the type of cleaning.
There are a total of nine types of commercial cleaning treatment symbols, depending on the combination with additional symbols.

Specifically, the additional symbols inside the circle indicate how the item should be cleaned, such as the "dry cleaning symbol" or "wet cleaning symbol."

A "P" in the commercial cleaning process symbol indicates that the item can be dry cleaned using a solvent called perchloroethylene.
Additionally, an "F" in the commercial cleaning process symbol indicates that the item can be dry cleaned using petroleum-based solvents.

Additionally, a "W" in the commercial cleaning process symbol indicates that the item can be wet cleaned.

Generally, when you take your clothes to a dry cleaner, there should be no problem as they will be checked by professional staff with specialized knowledge, but it's good to keep this in mind just in case.

By the way, if there is an "x" symbol next to the "dry cleaning symbol" or "wet cleaning symbol," it means that the item cannot be dry cleaned or wet cleaned, so be careful.

Use different laundry detergents

Laundry detergent is essential when washing clothes, but do you use the same detergent every time, no matter what clothes you're washing?

There are several types of laundry detergent.
To improve the washing effect and make your clothes last longer, it is important to use the right detergent for the fabric and material of your clothes .

■ Types of laundry detergent

1. Powder detergent
2. Liquid detergent
3. Gel ball detergent
4. laundry soap

Powder detergent

Powder detergent is a powdered laundry detergent that is generally made with a weak alkaline content.

It is considered to be the most powerful laundry detergent.
It can remove even stubborn stains, making it useful for removing sebum stains, sweat stains, mud stains, etc.
Powder detergent is useful in the summer when sweat and sebum stains are more likely to appear.

However, powder detergent does not dissolve easily in water, so be careful as undissolved powder may remain on clothes and cause damage or discoloration.

It is suitable for regular washing of white-colored clothing that does not fade easily, and clothing made from durable materials (such as cotton and polyurethane).

Liquid detergent

Liquid detergent is a liquid laundry detergent that is generally made with a "neutral" pH.

Neutral liquid detergents have less cleaning power than weak alkaline powder detergents.
However, it can be washed gently, so stains can be removed without damaging the fabric.

Liquid detergent has greater cleaning power when applied directly to stains, making it easy to use and making washing easier.

It is recommended to use it on lightly soiled clothing or clothing that you do not want to damage.

Gel ball detergent

Gel ball detergent is a gel ball type laundry detergent that is generally made "neutral."
It is sometimes called the "third laundry detergent" after powder and liquid detergents.

Because it contains ingredients that improve foaming, it is said to have cleaning power similar to that of a weak alkaline powder detergent.
Only one rinse is required, which reduces damage to clothes.

However, the scent tends to linger, so it is not recommended for those who dislike the distinctive smell of detergents.

laundry soap

Although laundry soap is not strictly a laundry detergent, it is used in the laundry process to remove stains from clothes.
Laundry soap is available in solid, powder, and liquid form.

The main difference between this and laundry detergent is the cleaning ingredients used.
Laundry soap uses "natural vegetable oils and animal fats" as cleaning ingredients, while laundry detergent uses "synthetic surfactants" as cleaning ingredients.

Laundry soap is gentle on the skin and the environment because it is gentle on the human body and easily returns to nature.
Recommended for those who are sensitive to odors or have sensitive or atopic skin.

Also, if you want to wash your clothes without damaging them as much as possible, it is a good idea to start with laundry soap.

Take clothes that cannot be washed at home to the dry cleaners

Depending on the design and fabric of the garment, it may not be possible to wash it in a home washing machine.
In particular, if the care label indicates that the item should not be washed at home, it is a must to take it to a dry cleaner to have it cleaned!

Generally speaking, the following types of clothing cannot be washed in a home washing machine:

■ Clothes that cannot be washed in a home washing machine

• Wrinkled or pleated (specially processed) clothing
• Fur and leather clothing
• Delicate lace clothing
• Silk clothing
• Wool clothing
• Rayon clothing
• etc...

In particular, clothing such as wrinkled or pleated skirts are vulnerable to water, and washing them can remove the finishing touches.
Even delicate lace fabrics can become frayed beyond repair if they are frayed by the friction of a home washing machine or dryer.

In addition, washing clothes made from silk or leather can cause the color and texture to fade, so you should avoid washing them at home unnecessarily.

Be careful not to use too much cleaning agent

However, just because you can't wash them in your home washing machine doesn't mean you should send too many to the dry cleaners!

Even if the dry cleaner has skilled professionals or state-of-the-art equipment, overdoing it can cause shrinkage and discoloration.

If you wear a suit every day, once or twice a month is best.
Even with natural materials and high-quality knitwear, you should limit washing to once every two to three weeks.

For coats and branded items, washing them once a season is sufficient.
If you have all your clothes cleaned at once during the season when you change your clothes, you can keep them stored and kept clean without bringing dirt into your clothing cases or closets.

Avoid using a dryer as much as possible

If the care label does not say to tumble dry, it is best not to use a dryer .

A typical dryer dries clothes by blowing hot air at around 60℃ to 80℃ onto them.
This can cause heat-sensitive fibers to shrink.

Also, since the clothes are dried by rotating, depending on the material, the fibers may be torn or damaged by friction.

If you want to dry it, it's best to use a dehumidifier and a fan to dry it indoors.
It is a mistake to think that it is best to dry laundry outside on sunny days.

This is because exposure to ultraviolet rays and dirt from the outside air can cause damage and discoloration.
If you have facilities such as a bathroom dryer, it is better to use a dehumidifier there to remove moisture and then dry the clothes indoors using a fan to circulate the air.

Please keep in mind that there are some materials and fabrics that are best not tumble dried in a dryer.

■ Materials and fabrics that should not be dried in a dryer

1. Natural materials (cotton, linen, wool, silk, etc.)
2. Chemical fibers (nylon, polyurethane, etc.)
3. Fabric made from tightly twisted yarn
4. Thin or coarse fabrics
5. Embroidered or specially treated fabrics
6. Women's underwear

Natural materials (cotton, linen, wool, silk, etc.)

Natural materials such as cotton, linen, wool, and silk are sensitive to hot air and may shrink if put in the dryer.
Also, avoid using a dryer on fur or leather materials, as this can cause the color and texture to fade.

Remember that clothes made from natural materials should not be put in the dryer.

By the way, drying with a hair dryer is also not recommended as it produces hot air.

Chemical fibers (nylon, polyurethane, etc.)

Synthetic fibers such as nylon and polyurethane can also shrink when exposed to hot air from a dryer.

In particular, polyurethane is prone to wrinkling when dried in the dryer, so care must be taken.

Generally, it is best to air dry clothing made from synthetic fibers as much as possible.

Fabric made from tightly twisted yarn

High-twist yarn is a material that has a high number of twists in the twisted yarn (thread that has been twisted), making it stronger.
The more twist there is, the more likely the fabric is to shrink, so tumble drying in a dryer is generally not recommended.

Furthermore, it has the property of absorbing moisture and drying easily, so it will shrink if washed in water.
So, using a washer-dryer is a no-no.

Thin or coarse fabrics

Thin fabrics such as see-through fabrics are often sensitive to heat, so it is best not to use a dryer.
To begin with, thin fabrics are delicate and tend to fray and shrink easily.

Wash gently with a gentle detergent for delicates and let it air dry thoroughly.

Also, coarse fabrics such as knits and mesh do not do well in the dryer.

They are particularly susceptible to the spin cycle of a dryer, which can cause the stitches to become clogged or wrinkled.
It can get caught on other clothes and fray, so you need to be careful when washing it in the washing machine.

It is safer to put it in a net or wash it carefully by hand.

Embroidered or specially treated fabrics

Be careful when using the dryer with embroidered clothes or clothes with special processing such as pleating!

Embroidery thread is sometimes made from wool, which makes it sensitive to heat.
Therefore, putting it in the dryer can damage the design.

Also, clothing that has been specially processed, such as pleated, is prone to losing its processing when it gets wet, so be sure to wash it by hand thoroughly to remove wrinkles and let it dry naturally.

Women's underwear

Women's underwear often contains polyurethane, so it's best to avoid putting it in the dryer.

Also, bras may contain wires or metal fittings, so putting them in the dryer with other clothes can damage them.
When drying underwear, dry it naturally in the shade or indoors.

Remove stains and dirt immediately

Stains and dirt can appear the moment you're not paying attention, such as while eating or on a rainy day.
I'm sure we've all had the experience of suddenly getting stains or dirt on our clothes while out and about, and feeling a bit panicked.

However, it is always a must to remove stains and dirt as soon as they appear !
Over time, stains and dirt will penetrate deeper into the fibers, making them increasingly difficult to remove.

Let's check out how to best remove stains and dirt.

■ How to remove stains

1. First aid with a portable stain remover
2. Wet wipes are also effective
3. "Water-soluble stains" can be removed with laundry detergent or dish detergent.
4. "Oily soluble dirt" can be removed with cleansing oil for makeup removal
5. "Insoluble dirt" can be removed with solid laundry soap

First aid with a portable stain remover

If you get a stain while you're out and about, it's convenient to have a portable stain remover with you .
If you have one with you when you want to avoid stains or dirt, such as before an interview or on a business trip, you can deal with it without panicking.

We recommend a portable pen-type stain remover, as it is easy to carry and can be used anywhere.
By gently pressing the tip of the pen against the stain or dirt, you can remove it as a temporary measure.

However, this is only a temporary measure, so if it can be washed, wash it as soon as possible.

Wet wipes are also effective

If you don't have a portable stain remover, wet wipes also work well.

Wetting the garment directly with water and rubbing it can actually make the stain worse.
However, if you use a damp wet tissue, you can simply gently press it onto the stain and remove it.

If you don't have any wet wipes, you can use a tissue dampened with a little water.

Avoid rubbing or hitting the stain too hard as this will drive the dirt deeper into the fibers.

By the way, we do not recommend using wet towels or handkerchiefs as they do not absorb stains as well as wet tissues or moistened tissues.
This can cause the dirt to spread and penetrate deeper into the fibers.

"Water-soluble stains" can be removed with laundry detergent or dish detergent.

Water-soluble stains are stains that are easily dissolved in water, such as food, drink, and human secretions.
Specifically, water-soluble stains include coffee, juice, soup, sweat, and urine.

Water-soluble stains can be easily removed by pouring regular laundry detergent (neutral detergent) or dishwashing detergent directly onto the stained area and rinsing with water.

For stubborn stains, rinse lightly with lukewarm water, add laundry detergent, and gently tap the stain with a toothbrush or similar tool.
If you place a towel under the stain, the stain will transfer to the towel and be easier to remove.

"Oily soluble dirt" can be removed with cleansing oil for makeup removal

Oil-soluble dirt refers to dirt that is difficult to dissolve in water but easily dissolves in oil, mainly animal, vegetable, and mineral oils and sebum.
Specifically, oil-soluble dirt includes mayonnaise, olive oil, sesame oil, grilled meat oil, exhaust fumes, and sebum.

Oil-soluble stains can be easily removed by applying regular dishwashing detergent or makeup remover cleansing oil directly to the stained area and rinsing with lukewarm water.

For stubborn stains, do not wet the surface with water, but instead apply a drop of makeup remover cleansing oil and gently tap the stain with a toothbrush or similar tool.
In this case, leave it for about 5 minutes to allow the cleansing oil to fully blend with the dirt for better removal.

"Insoluble dirt" can be removed with solid laundry soap

Insoluble stains are stains that are difficult to dissolve in either water or oil.
Specifically, insoluble stains include dust, dirt, mud, rust, India ink, ballpoint pen gel ink, and perfume.

Insoluble stains can be easily removed by rubbing regular bar laundry soap directly onto the stained area to loosen it.

For stubborn stains, scrub them away with bar laundry soap and a laundry brush.

However, since it is difficult to dissolve in both water and oil, care must be taken as leaving it on can make it difficult to remove stains.

Give your clothes a rest

No matter how much you love something, wearing the same clothes every day will gradually wear them out.

Rotate different outfits and avoid wearing the same clothes too often .
This allows your clothes to rest.

If you're not good at fashion or are a minimalist, you tend to wear the same clothes over and over, so you need to be careful.

When you wear clothes even for a short time, sweat and sebum from your body are transferred to them, even though you can't see them.
If you wear clothes repeatedly without washing them, bacteria will gradually grow and dirt will become ingrained.

Also, if you wear clothes every day, the frequency of friction increases, making them more susceptible to damage.

Instead of wearing the same clothes over and over, try to choose about five different outfits and rotate them.
Even going without your clothes for a week will give them a break and prevent them from getting damaged or developing unpleasant odors caused by bacteria.

Store and preserve in the correct way

Even if you take great care of your clothes by washing them, it will all be wasted if you don't store or keep them properly.
In order to keep your favorite clothes for as long as possible, it is important to know the correct way to store and preserve them, in addition to caring for them after purchase.

If you always take good care of your clothes but still end up damaging them for some reason, why not reconsider how you store and keep them?

Please check the following articles to see if any of them apply to you.

Re-dye

No matter what kind of clothing you wear, the color will inevitably fade if you wear it for many years.
Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or fluorescent lighting can also cause the color to fade.

Once the color fades or discolors, some people may lose interest in wearing the item and end up getting rid of it.
However, it's actually easier than you might think to re-dye faded or fading clothes.

It's difficult to restore the original color perfectly, but it is possible to get it close to the original color!

Nowadays, it is easy to purchase "re-dyeing dyes" for clothing online.

It can dye not only natural materials such as cotton, linen, and silk, but also materials such as rayon and cupra.
However, please note that if the fabric does not contain at least 30% of these materials, it will be difficult to dye.

By the way, smooth materials such as polyurethane that have been treated with a water-repellent coating are difficult to dye and tend to fade over time, so it is said that re-dyeing them is difficult.

If that's difficult, take it to the cleaners.

If you think "dyeing clothes again myself is too difficult," it's best to take them to a dry cleaner or a specialized repair shop.

They can re-dye your hair without spending a lot of money or time, so it's perfect for those who want a beautiful finish.
With professional help, you may be able to restore your favorite piece of clothing to its original color, even if you were about to give up on it.

Introducing essential maintenance items for clothing care!

Maintenance items are essential for caring for your clothes.

Here are some handy maintenance items that will make care easier if you just have a few of them!
These are all useful items, so be sure to check them out.

■ Maintenance items

1. clothes brush
2. Lint remover
3. Steam iron
4. Fabric softener
5. laundry net
6. Various sprays (disinfecting, antibacterial, deodorizing, deodorizing, etc.)

clothes brush

A clothes brush , which removes dust, dirt, pollen, and other particles from clothes, is an essential item for extending the life of your clothes.
In particular, for clothes that tend to collect dust easily, such as suits and coats, you can quickly remove surface dirt by using a clothes brush.

A clothes brush also helps to straighten the flow of fibers.
This prevents damage and pilling to the fabric and keeps it looking nice.

It is a good idea to regularly use a clothes brush to straighten the fibers.

Lint remover

Pilling on clothes occurs when the clothes are washed or worn repeatedly, causing friction.
A lint pill remover is useful in such situations.

Clothes brushes can be used to prevent pilling before it occurs, but they are not effective in removing pilling once it has formed.

Lint removers can be purchased at 100 yen shops, so be sure to get one.

Steam iron

A must-have item to keep your clothes lasting longer is a steam iron .

A steam iron uses steam to remove wrinkles from clothes.
Of course, you can also press clothes to remove wrinkles by applying heat and pressure like a traditional iron.

If the steam is at a high temperature, it is an excellent product that can also be expected to have antibacterial, deodorizing, and insect repellent effects.
It's great to know that it can remove wrinkles from clothes while keeping them clean and tidy.

However, there are some clothes that cannot be ironed with a steam iron, so be sure to check the care instructions carefully before using it.

Fabric softener

Do you use fabric softener without thinking about it when doing laundry?
It may come as a surprise, but fabric softener is one of the essential items for making clothes last longer.

Fabric softener does more than just make clothes soft, fluffy, and scented.

When the softening ingredients adhere to the surface of the fibers, they become smooth, making it less likely for friction to occur even when the fibers overlap, and reducing the occurrence of pilling and static electricity.
This makes the product feel better on the skin and helps maintain a good finish.

Laundry detergent alone can remove stains and dirt, but it can make clothes feel rough and can damage them, so it's best to use it in combination with fabric softener.

Recently, high-performance fabric softeners have been released that prevent pollen from adhering and have deodorizing and anti-odor effects.
Using different products depending on your clothing concerns can make laundry more enjoyable.

laundry net

Fabric softener isn't the only item that can be useful when doing laundry.
Using a laundry net properly can prevent damage to your clothes.

Laundry nets help prevent friction with other laundry, preventing wrinkles, pilling, and damage to your clothes.
It also helps prevent color transfer.

Be sure to wash clothes that are prone to losing their shape, such as knitwear and sweaters, and clothes with decorations such as beads and lace, in a laundry net.

Various sprays (disinfecting, antibacterial, deodorizing, deodorizing, waterproofing, insect repellent, etc.)

Use various sprays depending on the condition you want to care for your clothes.

When you wear clothes repeatedly, sebum, sweat, dirt, etc. can cause bacteria to grow and give off an unpleasant odor.
In such cases, we recommend using a disinfectant, antibacterial, deodorizing, and odor-preventing spray .
Not only does it suppress odors, it also eliminates germs and makes it harder for germs to stick to your clothes.

If you want to prevent stains from rain, use a waterproofing spray on your shoes before going out.
Many clothes lose their shape when they get wet.
It is useful during the rainy season.

It is also important to use insect repellent spray before storing or putting away clothing to prevent pests.
You don't want to find yourself in a situation where clothing pests have suddenly appeared in your closet and caused damage to your clothes.

It's up to you to extend the life of your clothes!

You can significantly extend the life of your clothes with just a little bit of everyday care.
These techniques can be applied to any type of clothing, so take this opportunity to master them.

Whether you can keep wearing your favorite clothes for a long time or not depends on how you take care of them.
Learn how to use maintenance items and enjoy taking care of your clothes.