I'm having bad luck w/ tops looking worn even after one or two washings. ?

Question

I have a new washing machine w/ a delicate hand wash cycle (it does have an agitator) and I will only put a small amount of tops in a larger amount of water than required so the clothes don't rub together. Then, to get some wrinkles to fall out, I will put them in the dryer on low heat and let them dry for about five min and then hang to dry. I have a top from Old Navy (cotton) that looks like it only has one wearing left in it and I only wore it once! Is that normal for cottons and cotton ribbed tanks? I've had pretty much the same luck with tops from JCPenney. How can I get more life out of my clothes? Thanks

Answer 1

If your clothes look dry, starchy and stiff, it's probably because you're not using fabric softener and you're hanging them to dry. What color are the clothes that you are washing? Perhaps the dye is fading because you're washing it in warm or hot water and the dye is washing out.

This is how I wash my clothes: Warm water, enough water to cover clothes, no extra, Line 1 on detergent cup (Tide brand), regular cycle. Dry on high heat until dry with one fabric softener sheet (Bounce), remove and fold promptly. I haven't had any problems and I have washed and worn my clothes many times!

Answer 2

After you wash your tops, lay them flat to dry on a drying rack such as this one: http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/produc... Once they are dry you can fluff them in the dryer (no heat setting). I find that ribbed items tend to stretch out if you hang them to dry, so I think that laying flat to dry would be your best bet.

Also, don't wash your tops as frequently - I tend to wear a shirt a few times before washing it, but I never tumble dry my clothes - only air dry.

Also yeah - Old Navy clothes are of poor quality sometimes.

Good luck!

Answer 3

hey! i used to have the same problem. you should really invest in laundry bags, they sell them at any drug store : wallgreens, rite aid, etc. you just put your clothes in them, zip it up, and throw it in the laundry. I use them all the time for lingerie, silks, or any other cotton shirts that can get destroyed by the laundry cycle. and they're pretty chap too, really worth the money. good luck!

Answer 4

don't wash em ;)