Most people like to save money wherever they can, but time and time again, it can be wasted on unnecessarily having clothes dry-cleaned which can be taken care of at home.

Even when it comes to tricky fabrics like leather or fiddly delicates, there's tried-and-tested methods for freshening them up yourself.

FEMAIL has created a guide on how to wash your clothes properly.

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Rather than dry-cleaning all clothes, it can be cheaper to hand-wash, and this method can also make clothes last longer

DENIM

The perfect pair of jeans can be hard to find and a costly investment when you do, which is why many tend to cling on to one pair for years.

To make your denim last longer, try and only wash your jeans occasionally. While hand-washing is the best option - with cold water - if the only option is a machine-wash, select a gentle cool cycle.

Turn them inside out before popping in the drum to limit the colour-fade, as the tumble motion can be abrasive and strip the fabrics of its dye. Avoid tumble-drying all together, as the heat can cause shrinkage; instead, dry on a line or on a rack.

Before washing denim, it's best to turn it inside out to avoid colour-fade that can occur when fabric meets the metal drum of a washing machine

CASHMERE

Hand-washing is best for something as fragile as cashmere.

Fill a tub with cold water and a couple of squirts of baby shampoo. Gently work through the fabric with soap suds.

Never pick up a cashmere jumper by the shoulders as it will stretch out of shape. Keep your garment in a ball as you pick it up out of the water.

Roll it in a towel to get rid of excess water and then lay flat on a towel to air dry.

Once dry, never hand up cashmere as it will lose its shape; instead fold loosely and lay in a drawer.

SWIMWEAR

Whether it's been in the swimming pool or in the sea, all swimwear should be rinsed with cold water straight after in order to get rid of the bulk of sun cream and chlorine.

Add a tablespoon of liquid detergent to a sink filled with cool water, and swish your swimsuit round in circular movements.

Avoid wringing your swimsuit, as this will prematurely damage the elastic fibres in the fabric.

Also, contrary to popular belief, avoid laying out your sunset to dry in the sun, as this can fade the colour and weaken fibres. Instead, dry it indoors or in the shade.

Bras shouldn't be machine-washed as their delicate material and awkward shape means they are susceptible to damage

BRAS

Due to their thin material and awkward shape, bras are easily susceptible to damage in a washing machine cycle.

Hand washing is better for delicate garments, so fill a sink with warm water and add a couple of capfuls of mild detergent.

Swirl pieces in the water and leave to soak for five minutes before rinsing each piece with cold water individually. It's important to rinse thoroughly, as detergent residue can weaken the fabric's delicate fibres.

Press with a towel to get out excess water, but do not hang them up by the bra straps. As the bra is heavy and damp, this can stretch such a thin piece of material out.

SILK

Always hand-wash silk in order to keep it in good shape, and use cool or lukewarm water in order not to distort the shape, with a small amount of mild detergent.

Soak the item for about five minutes and rub small stains out gently.

When it comes to rinsing, add three tablespoons of white vinegar. This will remove traces of the detergent and also restore the fabric's natural shine.

To get rid of excess water, never wring the item of clothing out, but instead spread it out on a towel and roll it up.

While still damp, turn the garment inside out and iron on a low setting, avoiding steam, which can leave watermarks.

To dry damp cashmere, it's best to roll up in a towel to get rid of excess moisture

LEATHER

For things like leather jackets, it's advisable to wipe with a damp clean cloth, but in the event that your leather trousers needs a deep clean, just chuck them into the washing machine.

Marissa Webb, Creative Director of clothing retailer Banana Republic, admitted in interview to StyleCaster that her secret to ensuring leather trousers keep their shape is by running them through a cycle.

After a couple of wears, soak your leather trousers in warm water until they’re completely saturated. Then, tumble-dry them on high heat until complete dry. This method will ensure any baggy leather patches are pulled back in for a comfortable snug fit.

It will also reduce some of the shine for a slightly matte finish, and add a subtle texture.