Kids are expensive! And so are their clothes – especially if you’re paying retail.
Most parents I know are trying to strike that balance between wanting to buy their child all the clothes they love and want to wear with the reality that, just like money, hoodies and leggings don’t grow on trees.
So, what’s a busy, budget-conscious, too-exhausted-to-go-shopping mom to do?
Try keeping your kid’s clothes looking new for longer. How? There are a few things you can do to extend the life of your child’s clothing and reduce the amount of time, money, and sanity devoted to clothing your little ones.
5 Tips to Keep Kids’ Clothes Looking Like New
- Wash in Cold Water
Washing clothes in cold water keeps them from shrinking and fading. It’s one of the easiest ways to make sure kids’ clothes fit for as long as possible. And since cold water keeps colors brighter, they stay looking like new for longer.
2. Use the Delicate Cycle
Clothes need TLC, too. Treat them nicely by washing on the delicate cycle. You’ll avoid breaking down threads and material fibers, so clothes maintain their integrity longer.
3. Skip the Dryer
That lint hiding in the lint trap after every load of laundry…that’s actually a tiny portion of clothing gone forever from your son’s favorite blue hoodie. Every time you toss your clothing into the dryer, a small portion breaks down and breaks away.
The solution? Fresh air and sunshine. Or, in the winter months, a simple drying rack handing or sitting in the laundry room.
4. Buy the Highest Quality Clothes You Can Afford
There is some truth to the claim that ‘you get what you pay for’ when it comes to children’s clothing. But buying quality kids’ clothes is not about spending lots of money, and certainly shouldn’t break the bank.
When you do buy new, put your money into those pieces that you know are really going to last. Focus on the quality of the material and the stitch. Quality cotton and wool will last longer and stand up to more wear and tear than thin, less expensive polyester blends.
5. Swap Your Hand-Me-Downs for Quality Pre-Loved Clothes
When your child eventually grows out of their clothes and needs the next size, the clothes you’ve cared for will be in great condition for the next family. Find ways to swap those clothes with other families or friends, or with our community at Hunt + Gather.
Swapping hand-me-downs isn’t only a great way to get rid of your child’s outgrown clothes. It’s also a great way to keep your family budget under control while inheriting some incredibly well-cared-for clothing.
With these steps, you can make your child’s wardrobe last a little longer. Then, once they’re ready for the next size up, swap the clothes they outgrow for pre-loved pieces that match their new size and style by joining the Hunt + Gather community. We’ll help you trade in your child’s outgrown clothes and swap them with clothes from other Hunt + Gather families. Take our Kid’s Style Survey to get started.
