How to do laundry and make clothes last

1. 01Sort by color, weight, and care labelWhites, darks, and colors — then keep towels and heavy denim away from delicate fabrics that they'll abrade.
2. 02Decode the care symbolsThe tub is washing, the circle is dry cleaning, the square is drying, dots are temperature, and a bar under a symbol means gentle.
3. 03Wash cold and don't overfillCold water preserves color and elastic and handles most loads. Clothes need room to move to actually get clean.
4. 04Treat stains immediatelyBlot, never rub. Cold water for protein stains (blood, dairy), dish soap for oil, and always test on a hidden seam first.
5. 05Dry gentlyHeat is what shrinks, pills, and destroys elastic. Low heat or air dry; lay knits flat so they don't stretch out.
6. 06Learn three repairsSew a button, close a seam, and replace a drawstring. That's most of what ends a garment's life.
7. 07Store properlyFold knits, hang structured pieces on proper hangers, and clean everything before long-term storage — moths go for the stains.

General educational information, not legal, tax, medical, or financial advice. Rules vary by country and change over time — verify with a qualified professional before acting.