Let’s be honest, finding yourself in the laundry room during your first term at university can be a pretty daunting experience. Finding your cashmere jumper shrunken to the size of a Barbie Doll’s will only increase this fear further.

Read our eight nifty tips to help make your clothes last longer, on a budget.

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1. Heel protectors

They sound pretty geeky, we know, but stick with us here. Heels protectors are a must for that one pair of platforms you wear at every social. The heels on your shoes quickly get worn down and for less than a fiver you can protect them, thus saving yourself from having to replace your favourite shoes. It’s a good idea to get your heels re-heeled at a cobblers every so often anyway to prevent yourself from drunkenly falling flat on your face (trust us, it happens).

2. The problem with denim

There is nothing worse than wearing a new pair of jeans to discover your legs have been dyed a greyish-blue colour underneath. To set the colour of your jeans, soak them in a 50/50 solution of water and white vinegar and wash them as normal.

To keep your jeans from fading, simply turn them inside out before washing. This easy step can add years of life to your everyday denims.

3. Black dress dilemma

Has that little black dress turned slightly grey? Add a cup of strong coffee or tea to the rinse cycle. It may sound strange (and smelly!) but it works.

4. Dry au natural

Not only does replacing your tumble dryer with a drying rack save you money, but will save a lot of your clothing from the dreaded effects of harmful heat and possible shrinking. Hang up your clothing on a rack to save you money...just don’t leave it by the kitchen whilst cooking a fry up.

5. Choose wisely

It may sound obvious but don’t buy clothes that you won’t wear through fear of ruining them or clothes that you won’t be bothered to look after. So many students waste money on expensive items that need to be dry cleaned and quite frankly, remain at the bottom of their washing basket for the remainder of the year.

6. Have a pen to hand

It’s worth buying a stain remover pen for those moments where you drop Chicken Tikka Masala down the front of your top. If used quickly, they can stop stains from permanently setting in and ruining your clothes.

7. Fasten, fasten, fasten!

Zip up your hoodies and jeans before washing because they can catch on other delicate items .The same goes for your undergarments- the last thing you want for that romantic date is ripped lacy underwear as a result of them catching on your bra clips. Fasten any bras and after washing, leave them out to dry to prevent them from losing their shape.

8. Read the label

'It says not to tumble dry, but I'm in a hurry'. We've all been there. But before long you'll be paying the price in the form of faded colours and slightly more snug than usual jeans. If it says not to do something on the label, don't do it. Thank us later.

Get discounts and freebies at The National Online Freshers' Fair - all years (Domino's, Urban Outfitters, Warehouse, Greggs...and masses more!)

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