As a mum of 3, my laundry pile is never ending. So trust me, when I say that I know the temptation to just chuck it all in one wash, lob it in the tumble dyer to get it dry quickly and be done with it.
I've been there. I've put the jeans in with a new white t-shirt and tumble dried the new socks. I've spoilt clothes and I've shrunk my tweens leggings until they would only fit a newborn.
But I know - and so do you deep down - that if I only washed things properly then I'd get so much more out of them. They'd last so much longer and probably be fit to pass on to another child when ours have outgrown them.
So just how do you take care of you colourful Tutti Frutti leggings so they last longer and look their best long after your child has grown out of them?
Here are some tips for taking care of your clothes:
Read the Label
Yeah you'd think this one was obvious but the I've assumed things are machine washable before - only to find out they are handwash only. Usually after they come out the machine misshapen and fuzzy.
Every single Tutti Frutti piece is machine washable (hooray I hear you cry!). Wash them at 30 (or cooler to save energy) and line dry. That's it.
Sort Your Laundry:
Sort your laundry by colour and by fabric type. Whites, darks, lights and bright colours are usually my 4 piles. Then sort by fabric type. Don't put jeans in with leggings as the heavy fabric and buttons can rub against the soft jersey leggings and make holes. Or just wear the fabric down over time so it bobbles and fades quickly.
Wash With Care:
To keep bright colours looking, well, bright, for longer then turn your leggings inside out before you wash them. Then wash your clothes in cold water whenever possible, as hot water can cause shrinkage and fade colours.
Use a gentle cycle and a mild detergent, and avoid overloading the washing machine. Unless something is very stained then there really is no need for harsh chemical stain removers or bleach in the wash.
Don’t Use a Tumble Dryer
Tumble drying can cause clothes to shrink and also damage the fibres of the fabric - especially those made of natural fibres such as cotton. The high heat can also shrink the fibres and cause them to lose their shape.
Tumble drying also makes the colours fade faster as the heat causes the dyes to break down.
Tumble dryers also use a lot of energy and can be expensive to run. Air drying clothes, on the other hand, uses no energy and is a much more environmentally friendly option.
Store Clothes Properly
If you want something to look nice for longer then how you store it can play a huge part in that. I rarely iron anything but I do try to fold it properly. My children usually pull everything out their drawers to find that one top they love to wear, but I do try to fold things and keep drawers neat. It really helps things look nicer for longer.
I hope that these tips help - and mean that your bright leggings looks great for as long as possible!
Happy laundering!