Summer's lightweight, airy fashions make caring for your clothes a breeze, right? Not so fast. The extra sunlight, sweat, chlorine and sunscreen of the season take their toll on delicate summer fabrics. With a few expert tips, though, you can keep your warm-weather wardrobe looking crisp and fresh through Labor Day and for summers to come. A study by the University of Minnesota found that following proper care procedures could more than double a garment's lifespan — meaning more carefree sunshine for you and your clothes. Follow our in-depth guide to washing, drying, and storing your summer items, and strut your fashion sense all season with confidence.
Sorting Laundry 101
Before tossing your vacation wear into the washer willy-nilly, take time to properly sort each load. The basic principle of sorting clothes by color — whites, darks, and lights — always applies. But for summer's finer threads, it pays to go a step further. Group garments with similar fabric types and weights together, taking caution not to wash heavy items like towels with delicate blouses or knit dresses. Separate very soiled or stained items for pre-treatment. Properly sorting your laundry from the get-go results in cleaner clothes with less wear-and-tear and prevents dye transfer mishaps — a snappy red sock will do a number on your airy white linen skirt! Once sorted, you're ready to consult each garment's care label for washing specifics.
Decoding the Care Label
Think of a garment's care label as your personal laundry spirit guide. Those inscrutable hieroglyphics are actually federally regulated washing, drying, and ironing symbols. To become fluent in "care label," know that a washtub icon refers to washing instructions, while a square with a circle inside covers drying. One dot suggests cold, or 30 degree C, water — the safest bet for many unstable summer dyes. A double-line underneath the washtub means "Permanent Press" setting, perfect for sturdy summer staples like khaki shorts and cotton camp shirts. A hand reaching into the washtub? Save that silk camisole for gentle hand-washing. Once you know how to decipher the code, consider all those little fabric content tags cheat sheets for your laundry triumphs.
Washing: Cycle Selection for Every Situation
In addition to consulting the care label, consider the garment type and level of soiling when selecting a wash cycle. Use this quick guide to choose the right cycle for all your summer laundry needs:
COLD (30°C/85°F): The default choice for most summer garments. Use cold for:
- Lightly soiled everyday clothes
- Delicate fabrics like silk, lace, and lightweight cotton
- Brights and darks to prevent fading and dye transfer
- Fabric blends (cold is the common denominator for various fibers)
WARM (40°C/105°F): The happy medium for sturdier summer items. Choose warm for:
- Moderately soiled clothing
- Sturdy everyday fabrics like denim, jersey, and linen
- Whites (except for delicates)
HOT (50°C/120°F): High heat disinfects but is harsh on summer fabrics. Reserve hot for:
- Heavily stained or soiled items
- 100% cotton sheets and towels
DELICATE CYCLE: Uses slow agitation and spin for a deep clean with minimal wear. Use for:
- Sheer fabrics, lingerie, and embellished garments
- Swimsuits and athleisure wear with spandex
- Any item you would normally hand-wash but want to machine launder on occasion
PERMANENT PRESS: A medium wash and slow spin to minimize wrinkling. Ideal for:
- Business/dress clothes like slacks, collared shirts, skirts
- Any garment with "permanent press" on the label
- Items to be dried immediately to prevent wrinkling
HAND-WASH: The gold standard for cleaning delicates. Always hand-wash:
- Silk, cashmere, fine lace, and embellished pieces
- Garments labeled "hand-wash"
- Heirloom and vintage items
- Any piece you're unsure about washing in the machine
Washing: Not a One-Temp-Fits-All Approach
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With the sorted loads ready to go and care labels consulted, you can choose the cycle, water temperature, and detergent that will most gently and efficiently clean your summer garb. Despite the urge to turn up the temp and increase the agitation for sweat-soaked tees and exercise gear, resist! Wash all your lightweight, hot-weather cottons, rayons, and linens in cold water on a short, delicate cycle. Use the Permanent Press setting for sturdier items only. Choose a mild soap — look for "clear" liquid versions for darks — without chlorine bleach. For your delicate unmentionables, hand-washing is the cleanest, kindest option. Fill a plastic tub or clean sink with tepid water, dissolve a gentle soap or lingerie wash, and gently squeeze the suds through. Rinse, don't wring! Roll in a towel to extract excess water. Once your clothes are clean, it's time to dry smart.
Ditch the Dryer: Air-Drying 101
The dryer can be a cruel mistress — she'll shrivel your cotton sundress and felt your bathing suit in the time it takes to say "tumble dry." The key to preserving the shape and elasticity of many summer garments lies in the lost art of air-drying. For all swimwear and any clothing with spandex, lay flat on a clean, dry towel, reshape, and blot with another towel. Never hang stretchy items, as gravity will sabotage the, well, stretch. For lightweight skirts and blouses, invest in a collapsible drying rack where items can hang gently. To prevent wrinkles and preserve the vivid brights of summer, remove pieces from the wash while slightly damp and give them a quick shake before hanging. Once items are completely dry, proper storage keeps them wrinkle and dust-free until their next day in the sun.
Ironing, Folding, Hanging: The Keys to Wrinkle-Free Storage
Raise your hand if you consider ironing a summer getaway activity. Didn't think so! Fortunately, many warm weather fabrics like cotton jersey and seersucker are relatively wrinkle-resistant. But for those inevitable linen pants creases, investing in a quality iron and ironing board is key. When ironing summer staples, use the low setting and place a pillowcase between the iron and the garment. To store summer finds, follow these folding guidelines: swimsuits, lay flat; camis and tanks, square fold; shorts and cropped pants, fold in half lengthwise then in thirds; long skirts, hang by a clip hanger. Avoid hanging lightweight knits as they will stretch out on the hanger. Tuck hand-washables into a lingerie bag. For long-term storage, clean items and wrap in acid-free tissue before packing in an airtight storage bin.
Step Up Your Shoe and Accessory Care
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No summer ensemble is complete without the perfect complementary sandals or sunhat. To keep them looking fresh, expand your clothing care know-how to accessories. For canvas sneakers or espadrilles, follow the same wash routine as for clothing — cold, gentle cycle with mild detergent, then air dry. Spot treat leather sandals with a damp cloth or specialty leather cleaner. Use a suede brush to de-grime suede flats or wedges. Store off-season shoes in a plastic box with silica gel packs to absorb moisture. To preserve sun hats' jaunty brims, prop upside down or hang on a peg, never crumpled in a drawer. Wash hats once per season in cool water with a few drops of shampoo. Blot jewelry and sunglasses with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove sunscreen residue and store out of direct sunlight. Proper storage extends the life of your hot-weather accessories — and your summer style cred!
Give Bed Linens and Towels a Little TLC
After addressing your clothing and accessory upkeep, don't forget the high-rotation summer staples on the linen shelf! Wash your sheets, pillowcases, and bath towels once per week in warm (not hot) water. Use a "free and clear" detergent without fabric softeners, which leave residues that clog towel fibers, making them less absorbent. Tumble dry towels on low heat to maximize fluffiness, but avoid over-drying. For sheets, line drying preserves the integrity of the fabric best. Fold sheets right out of the wash and smooth with your hands to avoid wrinkling. To dodge musty odors and mildew, ensure towels and sheets are completely dry before storing them in a cool, well-ventilated place. In general, review your linen inventory each season and replace threadbare, worn-out items — your beach-weary body deserves clean, fluffy towels!
Implementing this comprehensive clothes, shoe and linen care routine pays off in spades — make that sandals. Keep these tips handy, and your summer togs will stay looking crisp, chic, and "this season" far longer. You'll also spend less time and money shopping for replacement pieces. Remember, a little focused TLC keeps your summer wardrobe fresh so you're always ready to catch those spontaneous, fleeting rays — in style.
