20 Ways to Extend the Life of Your Clothes in 2017

Sweaters and other knitwear should never be hung on hangers because they will stretch out and lose their shape. Instead, fold them and put them on a shelf or in your drawers to keep them fitting perfectly.

Make sure to store your leather in a cool, dry place. Clean only with a product that won't strip the fabric of its natural oils like Woolite Everyday ($8). Learn to properly condition and remove stains from leather.

Prolong the life of your handbags by treating them with care! Treat them with a leather protectant spray ($10), use on-the-go wipes to spot-treat stains, and keep your bags stored in a dust bag (or pillowcase!) when you're not using them.

Trendy costume jewelry seems like a great idea until it turns an ugly color. To prevent your favorite statement necklaces from tarnishing, cover it with clear nail polish or spray paint.

Keep a Tide to Go Pen ($6) with you when wearing your favorite white threads. As soon as you stain your clothes, treat the stain immediately. Always wash your whites with other white clothes, use the hottest water safe for the fabric, and wash items after one wear.

Oil stains are a fashion-lover's worst nightmare! Luckily, they aren't impossible to get out. If you happen to get some salad dressing on your favorite dress, don't despair. Cover the stain with cornstarch, and let it sit for 30 minutes. Next, pretreat the spot with a stain remover, apply some dish detergent, and use the hottest water that's safe for the fabric when washing. Whatever you do, don't put it in the dryer; it will set the stain in forever.

Hanging your jeans will only stretch them out. To keep them fitting like a glove, fold them and rejoice at the extra room you've just made in your closet.

Lightly run over your pill-covered sweater with an Evercare Giant Fabric Shaver ($13) to keep your sweaters looking new.

White sneakers go with everything from athleisure to feminine dresses but get dingy fast. To restore them to their crisp look, use a Magic Eraser ($6) to clean up your kicks.

Everyone looks better when their clothes are neat and wrinkle-free. If you are in a rush and don't have time to iron, spray some Downy Wrinkle Releaser ($7) on your top and watch the creases disappear.

If you hate hand washing your lace undergarments, place them in a mesh bag made for delicates like the Real Simple Wash Bags ($8) before popping them in the wash to make sure they don't snag.

To ensure your favorite workout gear keeps its shape, never put them in the dryer. Hang them to dry instead.

Your favorite leather and suede shoes will keep their shape longer if you stuff the inside with tissues.

Before heading out in your new boots, make sure to protect them! Purchase a suede protector like the Frye and Nubuck Protector ($10) to prevent discoloring, staining, or water spots.

Keep your clothing as dark as when you purchased them by washing your garb inside out.

If you notice your favorite black jeans starting to go gray, dye them back to their original midnight hue with a fabric dye like Rit Dye ($3).

Washing your clothes can make the colors fade and your garments slowly lose their shape. Most of your clothes can be worn multiple times before washing them. Find out how frequently you need to wash each item in your wardrobe and save yourself time and money.

Old dirt and dye from previous clothes sit in your washing machine and can make your clean clothes look dirty. Make sure you don't forget to clean your washing machine and it will keep your favorite items looking great.

Use sturdy wooden hangers for your heavy items like Winter coats to make sure they don't lose their shape. Thin, no-slip hangers will make sure your other items stay on the hanger and wrinkle-free.

Keeping your garments in the bags they are stored in post-dry-cleaning is a bad idea. The bags trap moisture (which can lead to mold) and yellow your clothes. Make sure the items in your closet have room to breathe!