With a little TLC, you can extend the lifetime of your clothes for seasons to come. With an investment of five minutes or less, you’ll spend less time shopping—and less money.

Wipe Out Salt Stains

The number one trick to erasing salt stains is to not let them form in the first place. As soon as you get in from outside on a snowy or icy day, wipe your leather shoes with a damp cloth, using a circular motion, to draw out the salt.

Once a week, use a leather conditioner in the same color as the shoe to prevent further damage.

Oil and Silk Don’t Mix

How many times has it happened that you spill salad dressing on a silk blouse that you just picked up from the cleaner? Before you rush it back to the dry cleaner, try this trick first: As soon as you can, sprinkle baby powder or cornstarch on the stain. Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes then gently brush off. Often this is enough to sop up the oil and prevent a serious stain.

Put an End to Yellowing

Even if you’re diligent about washing your white T-shirts and tank tops, yellow arm pits seem almost inevitable with age. Instead of tossing the lot, try spraying the area with bottled or fresh lemon juice or white vinegar. Let it soak for 15 minutes before tossing in the washing machine. The acid of the lemon or vinegar counteracts the alkaline of sweat that causes staining.

Save Your Soles

Every time you get a new pair of shoes, be it a sexy stiletto or sturdy winter boot, your first stop should be to your local shoe repair shop for a protective rubber bottom.

This will prevent your leather soles from absorbing water and wearing out too quickly. In addition, you’ll get better traction when you’re walking on slippery floors, it adds a little more comfort and your feet will stay warmer in cooler months. Word of caution: For your delicate, pricey heels, ask for a thinner rubber sole, so they remain hidden. Better shoe shops will carry them.

Polish Up Patent

Patent leather is great for it’s sturdiness—the treated leather is virtually waterproof, making it a great option on a rainy day. What it is not immune to is scuffing, you know, those black marks you often get on the inside edges of your shoes? To remove them, spray a soft cloth with regular old Windex and gently rub the scuff mark. It will remove them without damaging the leather.

Separate Jewelry

If you store all your jewelry in the same jewelry box, you are doing yourself and your precious pieces a disservice. When gold and silver are stored together they oxidize each other faster, leaving you with tarnished looking pieces. A better solution is to store everything in its own clear plastic jewelry bag. (Read more tips about storing jewelry.)

Always Store Clothes Clean

While you certainly don’t have to dry clean a coat or sweater after every wearing—and in fact, it’s better not to for the lifetime of the piece—the one time you absolutely must is before storing it for the season. Skipping, or forgetting, a final cleaning not only allows time for sweat stains to set in, any invisible spills or even perfume, attract moths who like to lay their eggs on scratchy wool surfaces. Dry clean clothes before you store them for the summer, then remove the plastic dry cleaning bags (they trap chemicals that can damage your clothes, and store in a heavy duty garment bag.