How to Break Down & Soften Clothing

Break Down Clothing

1). Wash clothing often to give it a broken-in look and feel. Use a light hand with detergents, as too much detergent can make fabric feels stiff.
2). Dry clothing in the sun. Leave it outside for a week to withstand all kinds of weather. Wind, rain, sunshine and even hail will naturally break down the fabric and make the clothing look more aged.
3). Spray clothing with lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide before putting it in the sun to fade the fabric faster.
4). Brown the fabric with spray applications of coffee of tea.
5). Focus on areas you want more wear. If you want the knees or elbows to look more worn and feel more pliable, rub the area with a piece of coarse-grained sandpaper.
6). Fray hems with a wire brush, paying attention to where clothing would be frayed. Concentrate on the neckline and sleeve hems.

1). Avoid commercial fabric softeners. They often include chemicals that coat the fabric and can cause skin irritation, respiratory problems and headaches. Reports suggest these chemicals may contribute to some cancers.
2). Add ½ cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle when washing clothing. Vinegar will break down detergent, preventing residue that can make fabric feel stiff.
3). Add ¼ cup baking soda to the rinse cycle as an alternative to vinegar.
4). Throw a ball of aluminum foil in the dryer to reduce static electricity.
5). Put tennis balls in the dryer with the clothing to soften fabrics.