1.
Wash in cold water.

There are so many good reasons to start doing this. I know some people can be sceptical but cold water washing is just as effective as hot water. Actually, warm water can shrink clothes and the heat can break down some dyes. Plus most of the energy consumed for a washing load is from heating the water, so it's more eco friendly. Win-win!

2.
Air dry as much as possible.

As I said in Hack #1, heat can cause shrinkage and break down some dyes, and the same is true when putting clothes in the dryer. I've been a fan of air drying for years! It also helps you save on the electricity bill. One good thing to know is to make sure the heavier things are lying flat to help them keep their shape. The only things I machine dry now are bed linens and towels, because it helps to keep them fluffy.

3.

Find a trusty cobbler.

This is my favourite one, and probably because I feel like cobblers are overlooked these days. Whenever boots, shoes or bags have an issue, I always bring them and see what my local cobbler can do about it. They usually do an excellent job and from my personal experience, it's really cheap. Resoling a boot can give it an entire second life, and replacing a plastic heel by rubber on a high-heel can mean dancing all night without slipping!

4.

Add a vinegar mix to your washing.

This is a trick that my mom showed me years ago. I make a mix of half vinegar and half water and add it in the "bleach" compartment of my washing machine. The vinegar helps fix the colours, so it's especially good for dark and new clothes. It keeps everything bright and crisp and I promise you there is no vinegar smell left afterwards.

5.

Take out the fluff with a lint shaver...

I'm always baffled by the amount of people who don't know about lint shavers! You know when some clothes start to get old and the fabric sort of balls up on itself in the areas with a lot of friction? Lint shavers are tiny razors made to cut that fluff off without harming the fabric, leaving your clothes looking all fresh! There are smaller ones like mine and there are also bigger ones on the market. I've had mine for years and it still works wonders.

6.

...or with a cashmere comb
for delicate fabrics.

As much as I love my lint shaver, there are delicate fabrics like cashmere where I just won't risk it. For them there's a little tool called a cashmere comb! This is great for jumpers that have a lot of extra fluff. It's very simple to use, just brush on the fabric where it's balling up and they will stick to the comb. It feels a little weird at first but it's exactly what it's made for so don't worry. 

7.
Don't hang your heavy knits.

This is only something I started doing about a year ago (!!!) but never hand your heavy knits. The weight of the garment will pull it down, and it can cause it to lose it's shape as well as to loosen the threads/knit. Instead if you fold your heavier clothes and put them in drawers, they will look better and last longer. It's a very simple tip that can make a world of difference.

8.

Use a steamer to keep everything
looking brand new.

I'll say it right off the bat, I don't iron ANYTHING. I never got the hang of it with the shapes and usually I make the water overflow and well who's got time for that anyway right?! But I don't like to wear wrinkly clothes either. I got myself a small "portable" steamer and my closet has been revolutionized. I don't use it for everything, but quickly steaming a garment can be the difference between throwing on a random t-shirt and a polished minimalist look!