7 Expert Tips for Keeping Kids’ Clothes Looking Brand New

I am so excited to have a guest post today from the online children's consignment shop, Shop Bagsy.   I spend quite a bit of money on our girls clothing, and I try really hard to keep them looking nice so that I can resell them.  For example, I recently sold Madison's pink Hunter boots for $35 (I bought them for $55).  So at the end of the day, I only spent $20 for her hunters for the season!  Shop Bagsy is sharing their 7 expert tips for keeping kids' clothing looking brand new.  I hope you are able to take away some great tips!

7 Expert Tips for Keeping Kids’ Clothes Looking Brand New

As every parent knows, keeping your kids’ clothes free of dirt and grime is downright impossible. Apart from putting them in a plastic bubble, there isn’t much you can do to shield them from spills and stains.

So, how do some parents manage to keep their kids’ clothes looking pristine and stain-free? To be fair, this clean appearance usually doesn’t last for very long! However, there are a few secrets to keeping your kids’ clothes looking good as new.

Treat Stains Properly

Food stains, urine, blood and grass stains all require different treatment methods. If you want to keep your kids clothes in pristine condition, treating these stains properly is crucial.

For blood and food stains: Protein stains (such as blood, vomit and food stains) require a laundry detergent containing enzymes to break down the protein. Look at the back of your laundry detergent to check for enzymes on the list (Tide and Gain are two brands with enzymes in their products). Then, soak the stains in cool water using an enzyme-containing product and launder in warm water.

For dye stains: Fruit juices and other dye stains can be tough to remove. If you catch the stain while it happens, run it quickly under cold water to remove as much of the stain as you can. Then, create a paste mixture of three tablespoons of borax and one tablespoon of water and apply it to the stain. Allow this paste to dry and draw out more of the stain. Rinse off with lukewarm water and throw in the wash using the hottest possible water that is safe for the clothing.

Urine stains: Wash clothes in cold water using one cup of distilled white vinegar (no detergent). Because vinegar is acid based, it will effectively break down the uric acid in urine that is the cause of lingering pee smells in clothing. After the first wash with vinegar, run another cycle, except swap the vinegar for regular laundry detergent at the hottest temperature that is safe for your clothing.

Grass stains: Soak in cool water using an enzyme-containing laundry detergent for a couple hours. Launder in warm water and repeat the process if the stain remains.

Wash Clothes in Cold Water

Hot water is harsher on fabrics and wears them out quickly. To keep the colors and fibers of your kids’ clothes in top condition, wash them in cold water on a delicate cycle using liquid laundry detergent (powdered detergents can leave residue behind).

A delicate cycle involves a slower rate of spinning for clothes that require a light handling. Although most people reserve this cycle for their lingerie and sweaters, it can also be used to extend the lifespan of your child’s clothing.

Go Easy on the Detergent

Using too much laundry detergent is not only a waste of money—it can also ruin your clothes. Too much detergent can leave residue on your clothes, which requires additional washing to rinse out.

Excess detergent also clings to the fabric, which can be harmful to babies, toddlers and anyone with sensitive skin. Most laundry detergents contain surfactants, which help pull dirt and debris away from clothes. Surfactants can also be irritating to the skin.

When it comes to laundry detergent, a little goes a long way. Be sure to choose a laundry detergent that is fragrance-free, dye-free and hypoallergenic to protect your family’s skin from harsh chemicals.

Avoid Leaving Clothes in Sunlight

Allowing your clothes to air dry can help extend the life of your clothes. However, letting them air dry in direct sunlight can do the opposite.

The sun’s ultraviolet rays can break down the chemical bonds in your clothing, causing them to look faded and worn. There is no avoiding some sunlight. It’s simply impractical to make your kids avoid the sun whenever possible.

You can prevent clothes from fading sooner by air drying them in the shade and storing them away from windows. On days with more sunlight, you can also dress your kids in fabrics and colors that are less prone to fading, such as cotton/polyester blends in lighter colors.

Buy High-Quality Children’s Clothes

Most people know that high-quality clothing lasts longer and can be a smarter return-on-investment. It seems like a no-brainer for many, but things are a little more complicated when it comes to buying high-end children’s clothing.

Kids grow quickly, which creates a conundrum for parents who want to dress their kids in high-quality clothing without paying a fortune to do so. To get around this, many choose to shop at online children’s consignment stores which offer high-end brands at a fraction of the cost.

High-end kids’ clothing lines such as Mini Boden, Matilda Jane and Bailey Boys can all be found for half the price at online consignment shops. By purchasing these brands for less, you can outfit your kids in high-quality clothes that are made to endure.

Use a Mesh Laundry Bag

If your children’s clothes have cute buttons and hooks, consider putting them inside a mesh laundry bag before washing. This will prevent them from catching on other garments or on the washing machine drum.

Mesh bags ensure that your children’s clothes don’t get stretched out or lose their shape during rough spin cycles. Plus, you can use them to keep certain items of clothing separate for easy sorting later. Put all your little one’s socks in one bag and you won’t need to search through piles of clothing trying to find them all.

Space Clothes Apart

Many of us are guilty of cramming as many clothes as we can into a drawer or hanging clothes side-by-side in our closets. This can cause additional wrinkling, and too much ironing can wear out clothes fast.

Make room in your drawers by purging old clothes that your child has outgrown or never wears. If they are gently used and in pristine condition, you can potentially make money off them by selling your child’s gently-used clothing through online consignment shops.

By giving your clothes plenty of space, you can reduce the amount of ironing. Not only will this make your children’s clothes last longer, but it cuts back on ironing for you.

Final Thoughts

It pays to take good care of your children’s clothes—literally. Keeping your children’s clothes in like-new condition can extend the lifespan of their garments and give you the option of reselling them later.

By following the tips above, you can make your kids’ clothes look as new as they did on the day you bought them. This way, you can monetize your child’s closet when they eventually outgrow their clothes and use the money for next year’s wardrobe.