1. Take care of your clothing. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Buy quality clothing. You often get what you pay for. The bargain T-shirt you bought at your local discount Mega-Mart is not usually designed to last very long. However, purchase price is no guarantee for quality--even an expensive boutique may be basing its price on its trendiness rather than for an eye on sturdiness. Unfortunately, price often has little or nothing to do with how well-constructed a garment is.

Certain brands have a reputation for quality, such as (in the USA), Land's End, L.L. Bean and Duluth Trading Company.

Wash the clothing according to the instructions on the label. It is also important to read these labels prior to purchasing a garment, so you are sure that you are happy to do the type of washing or dry cleaning it requires. If not, do not buy it.

Online reviews are often a good guide to how others have found the quality of the clothes. If a lot of people comment on flimsiness, pilling, and so on, that's a warning.

Close zippers and clasps when machine washing clothing.

Keep a set or two of older clothing around for messy or strenuous activities, such as gardening.

Wear an apron or smock if you are doing something messy, such as cooking or a hobby such as painting.

2. Treat stains immediately. The specifics depend on what stain you are trying to remove and what fabric you're removing it from, but it's generally best to treat the stain as soon as you can.

Find the complete 11-step guide to fixing your clothes here.