How to care for your clothes.
87% of all textiles used for clothing eventually end up in landfills or incinerators. If that’s not a scary enough statistic, the average lifespan of a clothing item in the UK is about 2.2 years.
By taking care of your clothes and keeping your clothes for longer, you can improve these statistics significantly.
When you have a capsule wardrobe, you may be concerned that your clothing garments won’t last that long, but with these top tips to take care of your clothes, you can ensure they have a longer life, either in your closet or in someone else’s.
Tip 1: Wash your clothes less
Washing your clothes too often can cause damage to the fibre or cause your clothes to lose their colours. If an item isn’t dirty, hang it outside in the sun!
Jeans and sweaters are made in a way so you don’t have to wash them after every wear. On the other hand, items such as workout clothing should be washed after every wear as they are in closer contact with your skin.
An average washing machine uses 50 litres of water per wash, so think about whether it really needs it or not.
Tip 2: Wash your clothes at lower temperatures & wash like colours together
When washing your clothes at lower temperatures, and with a gentle and natural laundry detergent, you can prevent colour fading of the clothing garment. You can also reduce 80% of the emissions which are produced during the “in-use” stage of a clothing garment’s lifecycle.
There are exceptions to this though - underwear, bedding and towels may need to be washed at a higher temperature.
Wash like colours together to preserve the colour quality and reduce fading.
Tip 3: Read the care instructions
Many of us do not pay attention to the instructions that are placed on clothing labels. This will also indicate if the item should be washed in colder or warmer temperatures.
For example, wool should only be washed when it is absolutely necessary. You should also use a specific wool detergent on a gentle cycle or by handwash.
Tip 4: Use eco-laundry powders and detergents
Some standard laundry detergents contain fossil fuel-based substances, which have a negative effect on the environment. By using eco-friendly detergents, your favourite clothing pieces can last longer.
Fortunately, in the times we live in, there is an abundance of eco-friendly laundry detergents to choose from.
Tip 5: Wash your clothes inside out
This avoids friction, snagging, pilling and fading of the garments to make them last longer. You can also put your delicate items in a mesh laundry bag.
Tip 6: Air dry your clothes
A tumble dryer uses a lot of energy to run, and it can also cause damage to the fibres of your clothing. Hang your clothing either inside, or outside on the washing line.
A good tip is to shake out your clothes as soon as they come out of the washing machine to remove some of the wrinkles.
Tip 7: Store your clothes properly
Store your knitwear with lavender or with mothballs for protection against moths.
When you hang your clothes, use wooden or padded hangers to protect your clothes. Anne-Marie Colban has great advice: "The width of the hanger should not overpass the width of the shirt shoulders."
Fold your clothes along the seams to maintain the shape of the clothing item.
Tip 8: Repair the damage to your clothes if possible
You can refresh and restore your clothing items to keep them looking their best!
Tip 9: Buy quality clothing over quantity
Buying quality and ethical clothing pieces are one of the best investments you can make! Higher quality pieces last longer as they are made of stronger materials.
You can look for high-quality clothing by looking at the stitching and the fabrics. Natural fabrics, such as organic cotton and linen are great choices.
Tip 10: Protect your clothes
When cooking, wear an apron over your clothes to protect your clothing pieces. When it happens that you do get a stain, try to remove it as soon as possible (with vinegar and baking soda). The longer you leave a stain, the harder it is to remove.
How do we contribute at Kleiderly?
At Kleiderly, we aim to educate people in the best way possible on how to reduce a persons carbon footprint by reducing fashion waste through our online magazine.
We strive for a circular economy. We use old, unwanted clothing, and convert them into a plastic alternative. Therefore, reducing clothing waste and reducing the use of oil-based plastic. We then convert them into your first pair of circular eyewear.
Sources:
https://eco-age.com/resources/how-care-your-clothes-and-keep-them-longer/
https://twothirds.com/blogs/posts/10-tips-to-take-care-of-your-clothes
https://www.nytimes.com/guides/tmagazine/how-to-take-care-of-your-clothes
https://simplelionheartlife.com/how-to-take-care-of-your-clothes/
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/fashion/fashion-news/news/a36982/how-to-care-for-your-clothes/