Extend the life of your clothes by making sure you're caring for them properly 

Below is a chart of all of the laundry care symbols that you may see on your clothing's tags. Some laundry symbols are straight forward while others look like alien hieroglyphics so we put them all in one place to make life easy. For more details on the reason behind each of the care instructions - like why wool can't go in the dryer - check out our Guide to Clothing Care Labels. 

Washing Symbols

The washing symbols are used to intruct you how to wash the clothing item.

The tub icon lets you know exactly how to wash the garment with underscored lines indicating the recommended cycle and black dots representing water temperature. An X, of course, warns to not machine wash at all.

The washing symbols can also give you an idea for temperature, indicated by the number of dots in the tub of water symbol, whereas different cycle types are represented by a tub with one or two lines drawn under it.

Ironing Symbols

Ironing symbols will recommend exactly how to iron your clothing. The black dots inside the iron symbol represent the temperature, while an X over the iron means you should not iron the garment.

Drying Symbols

For drying symbols, first determine whether the item should be air or tumble dried. The lines inside the square will tell you how an item should be air dried, while the dots inside the square indicate the recommended heat setting if you are using a machine to dry your clothes.

Dry Cleaning Symbols

Relative to the other symbols, dry cleaning symbols are a little easier to understand. They will help you determine if an item should or should not be dry cleaned or if you should opt for a wet cleaning. 

Now that you know what your clothes' laundry symbols mean, you'll have a better chance of not shrinking or damaging your clothes. When it comes to clothing maintenance, the fine print matters. If you're pressed for time or unsure of specific treatment requirements, consider scheduling a Rinse laundry pickup and let us take the guesswork out of your laundry.

What would make you happier: spending fifty dollars to buy yourself a couple hours of free time, or spending the same amount on a material good? According to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and reported on by the New York Times, people who spend money to save time experience a boost in happiness that doesn’t occur by simply buying more stuff. So how can you save time and maximize happiness? Stop doing the chores you hate!

Five Chores to Outsource Right Now

1. Meal planning and preparation

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American woman spends 37 minutes per day on meal and drink preparation, while men average 17 minutes. The first takeaway is that men need to help more in the kitchen! The second is that both groups could benefit from ordering in. 

Unless cooking is genuinely enjoyable for you, consider spending a bit more money to buy yourself some time. Those same minutes that you spend in the kitchen could be spent exercising, pursuing a hobby, or playing with your kids. I would much rather watch my three-year-old ride his bike in circles on the driveway than stand at the counter chopping onions. While delivery from restaurants will save you the most time, it’s also the most expensive (and possibly least healthy) option.

Meal kits from companies like Blue Apron or Hello Fresh are a nice compromise—cheaper than take out, but more expensive than doing it on your own. These kits save you valuable planning, shopping, and prep time while still allowing you to serve up a home-cooked meal.

2. Laundry

Laundry is another top contender for most-time-consuming chore, costing the average American woman about two hours a week. Men spend, on average, about one fourth the amount of time, which leads me to believe that either women are doing their laundry or they are wearing dirty clothes. Assuming you are doing your own laundry and don’t particularly enjoy it, consider reclaiming that time.

In addition to the time you spend sorting, loading, folding, and (in my case) scrounging around for quarters, you may also find yourself waiting for the machines to finish or interrupting other activities to move the clothes along.

How nice would it be to forget all that and have your clean clothes delivered to your door? The cheapest way to live this dream is through a subscription laundry service like Rinse Repeat. Rinse Repeat lets you stuff your dirty clothes, towels, sheets, etc, into a bag that’s picked up and delivered to your door. While most laundry services cost upwards of $2 per pound, a Rinse Repeat subscription can cut that price in half.

3. Cleaning

How much time do you spend cleaning your home? Now, how much time do you spend thinking about cleaning your home or, perhaps, feeling guilty about the grime on the top of your microwave? Hiring a cleaning professional to clean your place once or twice a month is a worthwhile investment. 

First of all, you’re probably not that skilled at cleaning the grout in your shower, so why not outsource to somebody with specialized knowledge? Also, when you know that your place is in for a thorough cleaning, you can stop worrying about the dust on your bookshelves and enjoy the moment instead. 

4. Yard work and landscaping

I know a handful of people who get joy from tending their gardens and maintaining their yard—they are usually eager to tell me about their most recent blooms and overflowing crop of arugula. Are you one of these people? If not, it might make sense to hand your yard work over to a professional.

A weekly visit from a gardener will save you about two hours a week of yard work, and their expertise could leave your yard looking even better. With weeding and trimming out of your mind, you can enjoy your outdoor space rather than seeing it as a chore.

5. Furniture and other assembly

Maybe you grew up crushing lego kits in record time, but if you’re like me, and you break out in a cold sweat every time you see instructions written in 17 different languages, you need to hire a professional.

Fortunately, Amazon, IKEA, and others give customers the option to purchase assembly right in the checkout.  Alternatively, you can hire a tasker via Taskrabbit to complete the task.  Spend the time you saved doing something fun or just enjoying your magnificent new nightstand.

Pick you favorite (or rather, your least favorite) chores from the list above and outsource. Give yourself more time for the things you actually want to do!

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Whether your closet looks like you were just visited by Marie Kondo or a Dothraki Horde, we could all do with a couple organization tips to keep our closet manageable and our clothes in optimal condition.

It’s okay, these organization tips will still be helpful long after the references above ;)

So read on! It’s time to clean up your closet and create a polished and personalized space that you can enjoy each time you get dressed.
 

Keep your daily essentials in the front row

You've heard the phrase "out of sight, out of mind"—while that usually applies to former flames, the same rule also works for closet organization.

Store your least-worn items at the back so you can dedicate prime closet real estate to your most beloved pieces. This will make getting dressed a lot more convenient, and you'll avoid the all-too-familiar situation of rummaging through the closet and ending up with a pile of discarded clothes on the floor or bed. 

Style tip: Organize your go-to accessories, like a classic watch or simple jewelry, on a small tray next to your closet. Having them visible will encourage you to wear them and give you a more complete and polished look.

Think like a pro: know when to fold 'em

It might seem basic, but improper storage can cause a garment to lose its shape. Make sure you properly note which items to fold and which items to hang.

Clothes you should fold: Gently fold delicate items such as cashmere sweaters and heavy knits. For extra care you can add a layer of acid-free tissue between garments.
Denim should also be folded, as hanging can cause it to stretch out in the wrong areas. Casual items such as T-shirts and tops can work both ways, based on personal preference.

Clothes you should hang: Keep your outerwear fresh by hanging them for storage. Your vintage leather jacket, silk blouse or suit would appreciate the extra TLC.
Invest in some flocked hangers with velvet lining to keep your choice garments in mint condition. As always, any cocktail attire is best stored in a garment bag.

Out of season items don’t need prime real estate

Before putting anything in the closet at the end of each season, make sure your clothes are prepped for storage.

Launder items as needed, or send your clothes to a trusted dry cleaner for professional service—especially important for winter coats. This removes any scents or stains, as moths are attracted to undetectable smells.

Don't forget to clean your closet at least once per season (it can get dusty). It's also a good idea to go through and remove any items you don't wear on a regular basis. Consider selling or donating the pieces that are in good condition—doing so will help keep your closet organized as well as help those in need.

The elements of style: invest in the right storage

The essentials: Storage bins are your best friend. Instead of unsightly plastic bins, consider linen storage organizers. Fabric organizers help your clothing stay fresh by allowing air to circulate. Try borrowing elements from Scandinavian decor, such as a set of wooden or copper hangers, to help your closet achieve a minimalist and uniformed aesthetic.

The extras: Personalizing your space does not always require an involved process. Switching out little things can make a huge difference, such as adding some decorative items or art in or around your wardrobe. You can also paint or wallpaper the inside of your closet to inject a little more color and personal style.

Fill some sachets with dried lavender buds and place them in your closet to keep your clothes smelling great and repel any moths that might be creeping around your wardrobe—it's a pleasantly scented alternative to using moth balls.

Cedar chests are also a smart choice for woolens, as Red Cedar has natural oils that kill moth larvae (it's a good idea to first put the clothing in a resealable plastic bag for more protection).

While closet maintenance might seem like a chore, keeping these tips in mind will help you streamline the process and stay organized. Just like a morning workout or healthy breakfast, a well organized closet and easy to access closet helps set the right tone for the day -- the great one that you deserve!

Photos: WorldWide / Shutterstock.com, Chelsea Francis, Milada Vigerova, Crew, Mary Whitney