After spending considerable time and money on a new school wardrobe, you want to make sure the clothes last as long as possible. Caring and repairing can sustain the life of your clothes, so you look your best throughout the school year. The following tips will help you keep your child’s wardrobe looking good as new and ready-to-wear!

Planning Your Purchases
Weed out any clothing that your child no longer wears. Then make a list of items he or she needs for school.

Go over the “back to school” list and budget with your child at home, so that you avoid this discussion at the mall.

Buy items that are durable enough to withstand multiple washes and do not have complicated cleaning instructions. Also, look for items that can be mixed and matched with the items in your child's closet.

Low-Stress Laundry
Have older children take responsibility for washing their own clothes.

Dictate a special laundry hamper for uniforms and other “rush items” that need to be cleaned first, as well as a hamper for “dry clean only” clothes.

Check clothing labels for the best cleaning conditions and techniques. If a label says “dry clean only,” or if you are unsure of how to best clean an item, bring it to Dependable Cleaners for advice.

Keep a sewing kit and stain stick close by for quick fixes when accidents happen. Be sure to blot a stain rather than rubbing it; this can cause the stain to spread.

Dry jeans inside out, to prevent fading.

Buy the same style and color of socks to make matching during laundry a breeze.

Use cold or warm water when laundering to save money on the electric bill. You only need to use hot water if you are sterilizing your clothing.

Sort your whites and colors, even with warm/cold water. Washing whites with colors will cause them look dingy and gray more quickly.

Decisive Dressing
Make sure snaps, zippers and buttons are easy for young children to undo. This prevents accidents and frustration.

Plan outfits the night before, to lessen the morning rush.

Have extra mittens, gloves and hats in an easily accessible area. Children often lose these items and don't realize it until you are running out the door.