Making Things Last

You can keep your favorite clothes, furniture and other items from wearing out too soon with just a little maintenance and TLC.

On The Early Show Tuesday, Kris Connell of Real Simple magazine (www.realsimple.com) told how.

JEANS

Don't wash your favorite jeans every time you wear them. Wait until they're truly dirty. Then use cold water on the gentle cycle, and wash them turned inside-out. That will help any dye that leaches out to be reabsorbed into the denim fibers. Also, wash your jeans in small loads with a high water level; that reduces abrasion with other clothing. And avoid drying them in the dryer. Try hanging them where they won't get sunlight. Better yet: Send your jeans to the cleaners; drying cleaning is actually gentler on the fibers and dyes.

BOOTS

Fall is approaching, and we'll soon be wearing these all the time. Get them ready. Have sole protectors put on your boots right after you buy them. They really extend the life of your soles. Also, apply waterproofing spray to suede boots before you wear them for the first time. That will protect them from a spilled drink or a spot of drizzle. But, the spray doesn't mean you should wear your suede boots out in the rain. During the off-season, store your boots in a closet with plenty of airflow. Temperature swings in attics and moisture in basements age shoes.

POTS & PANS

You won't need to buy new pots and pans often if you follow these tips! Avoid unnecessary stains by using a smaller pot. A larger pot may work faster, but you'll end up with more baked-on splashes. Also, don't over-scrub your pots and pans. Instead, soak them in warm water with two ounces of vinegar and one tablespoon of salt per gallon of water. On non-stick pans, use a very soapy sponge, since abrasive cleansers and scourers can remove the coating.

HAIR COLOR

Faded roots aren't very pretty. Avoid them with these tips. First, stay within two shades of your natural color if you can. That way, your roots will blend in more easily as your hair grows out. Also, condition your hair before or after coloring. Healthy hair accepts color better and holds it longer. Avoid heat — avoid using a flat iron or hair dryer for too long. Heat fades color, both natural and artificial, because it speeds hair's aging process.

SOFA

Keep your sofa looking good by keeping upholstered furniture out of the sun. The sun can weaken fibers. UV rays also break down fabric pigments, which are susceptible to sun damage. Also, vacuum your upholstered furniture once a week. Built-up dust and debris act as an abrasive. That wears down the fabric every time you sit down.

VACUUM CLEANER

Speaking of vacuum cleaners: Change your bag when it's about two-thirds full. The air sucked into a vacuum has to pass through the bag. If it's fully loaded with dirt, it strains the motor, which will shorten the machine's life. On most vacuums, you must also change the motor filter about every three to five bag replacements. Some manufactures provide filters with replacement bags. You can also find them at your local hardware store, or check the company's Web site. Every three to five years, take the vacuum to an appliance repair shop for a tune-up: cleaning adjustment, and repairs.