Every garment will wear out after repeated wearing and washing. On average, an item of clothing lasts around five years before being thrown away.
However, disposing of clothing, both used and unworn, usually carries an environmental cost. The global fashion industry is estimated to generate 92 million tonnes of textile waste each year, and the UK alone dumps 350,000 tonnes of clothing into landfill. Textile deterioration in landfill sites releases greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.
Much of this waste could be prevented if we wore our clothes for longer. There is no way to make your clothes last forever, and their durability does to a degree depend on the quality of their fabric and how well they are made. But, if you want your wardrobe to last as long as possible, looking after your clothes properly can make a difference. One study found, for example, that with the correct care, you can double the lifespan of a jumper from seven years, on average, to almost 15.
