Clothes, handbags, shoes, and jewelry - with time we see the quality of these items deteriorate. We buy things with the hope that they can be used repetitively, however, these days it seems only high-end, premium quality products last long, without the need of any additional care. The affordable options unfortunately lack this benefit for consumers. Looking after your items is not difficult though. All you need to know are some tips and tricks that will make your life easy. 

1) Washing procedure makes a difference

The idea of washing clothes is the immediate answer for giving it a brand new shine. However, for the sake of cleaning them, we often overwash them i.e. frequent washing. This is where our clothes begin to lose their look and shape.

The first thing to remember is to avoid warm temperatures. Hot/warm water is not only bad for the colors but they also run the risk of shrinking the clothes. Use cold water - in fact, keep the temperature of the water lower than what is written on the care labels. This is a special instruction for dark-colored clothes that are susceptible to color bleeding.

Also, don’t underestimate the value of fabric softener. It not only keeps the products soft but preserves the shine and brightness of the colors as well. 

2) Dust and moisture are your biggest enemies

Whether it be shoes or bags, dust and moisture are their biggest cause of ruin. Moisture breaks down the material and dust takes away the shine.

Shoes can be protected from moisture by using desiccants like gel or silica pouches. In case you don’t have them, you can simply stuff them with newspapers. You’ll need to change the papers every week but they are a quick and affordable option to protect the material from bacteria. 

Furthermore, to protect from dust, polish them often and store them in a shoe closet.

Similarly, handbags can be protected from dust and moisture by keeping them in dust bags. They are available in markets at affordable prices. Dust bags go a long way in protecting the quality of your expensive bags.    

3) Knowing your jewelry material and storing them accordingly is key 

It is important that you separate your costume, fine, and silver jewelry. The distinction is important because they can cause the product to tarnish if they come in contact with each other. 

Costume jewelry is safe to keep in the open but it is important for the other two types to be stored away safely. The best storage for silver is a box lined with felt. Felt absorbs moisture and hence, protects the jewelry from tarnishing.  

Fine jewelry needs to be stored so as to protect the stones from the UV rays. It is recommended to keep your jewelry pieces separately from each other in order to prevent scratching. 

4) Owning the right cleaning/storing items 

Purchasing a steamer, leather protector spray, dust bags, and clothes shavers sounds ‘extra’ but they go a long way. Invest in them so that you have the right products to care for your stuff. 

We hope these tips are helpful- the better you care for your items, the longer they can serve their purpose!