How to Make Kids’ Clothes Last Longer: The Lazy Laundry Guide (That Actually Works)

Let’s face it. Kids treat clothes like battle armour. One day it’s grass stains and yogurt, the next it’s “I thought I could be a cat and slide across the floor.” We get it. We’re a team of mums at thelittleloop and we’ve seen it all: jammed zips, mystery blobs, mud up to the neck.

But here’s the thing: your laundry habits might be doing more damage than the kids themselves. And we’re here to help you flip that.

So, in the spirit of clean, long-lasting, second-hand-friendly clothes (and fewer panicked online shopping sprees), here are the golden rules:

❌ Step away from the fabric softener

**Softerner slowly ruins the clothes, wash after wash.**

We know, it smells like “Fresh Meadow Bliss” or “Alpine Cotton Cloud” or something equally made up. But behind the lovely label, fabric conditioner is a sneaky saboteur.

It works by coating fibres in a thin, waxy layer (yep, basically plastic), which builds up over time. This might make clothes feel softer at first, but it comes at a big cost. Here's what it's really doing:

Weakens fabrics, especially natural ones like organic cotton
Breaks down elastic (bye-bye bouncy leggings)
Makes fabrics less absorbent (not great for towels or kids’ PJs)
Leaves a coating that traps odours and makes stains harder to lift
Interferes with your washing machine's rinse cycle
Speeds up yellowing on light coloured clothes
And on kidswear? It can reduce flame resistance and block breathability, definitely not ideal

Oh, and the scents? Lovely maybe, but not so lovely for sensitive skin.

If your clothes feel stiff, it’s likely a sign of detergent build-up, not a lack of softness. So try using less soap, skip the conditioner, and give your clothes a good shake as they come out of the machine. Works wonders.

Want a gentler, planet-friendlier way to soften your laundry? Just add a splash of white vinegar to the fabric softener drawer. It helps break down soap residue, keeps fibres soft and even gives your washing machine a little clean while it’s at it. Genius.

Bottom line: If you think fabric softener is the secret to caring for clothes, think again. It slowly ruins them wash after wash.

💧 Eco mode ≠ kid mode

Eco mode is brilliant, for gently worn grown up tees and that jumper you wore once to dinner.

But for kids? Not so much.

Their clothes are filthy. And eco mode uses less water. Which means all that grime just swishes around like a stew of despair.

Use a standard wash for mucky socks, spaghetti-stained dresses, and anything that’s seen soft play in the last 48 hours.

🧼 Treat stains like a crime scene

You wouldn’t let a wine spill sit on a white carpet, so don’t chuck a strawberry murdered t-shirt straight in the machine and hope for the best.

Here’s the method:

Act fast. Dab, don’t rub.
Use cold water. Hot water can cook the stain!
Treat before you wash. Even a bit of washing-up liquid and elbow grease works better than a hope and a prayer.

And whatever you do: do NOT tumble dry if the stain is still there. That’s like blow drying glue. You’re setting it forever.

Bonus Tip: Build a stain kit

Keep it simple:

Old toothbrush
Cold water spray bottle
Washing-up liquid
Bar of soap
Baking soda (optional but magical)

Why it matters (and how it helps you)

These tips aren’t just for the laundry geeks. They’re for people who:

Want to save money
Want to resell their kids' clothes (hey 👋 we do that!)
Want to buy second-hand that still feels first-rate

At thelittleloop, we guarantee the quality of everything we sell. We want you to get the most life out of every item and maybe even pass it on to another kid when yours has decided to grow again overnight.

Clothes don’t need to be new. They just need to be cared for.
Tell your friends. Pass it on. Share the wisdom. And keep the chaos rolling stain-free(ish).

Need a fresh wardrobe to test these tips on?
Browse our latest preloved drop →

The Lazy Laundry Guide