SUSTAINABLE GARMENT CARE

A straightforward method for individuals to decrease their carbon footprint is by adopting a more mindful approach to textile care. Surprisingly, a significant portion of energy consumption is attributed to the laundering process alone. Research conducted by Business for Social Responsibility underscores this, revealing that "consumer use generates more greenhouse gas emissions than any other phase of the product lifecycle due to the energy expended in washing, drying, and ironing garments."  With this in mind, we've curated a comprehensive guide to assist you in caring for your textiles in an environmentally responsible manner, extending their lifespan while reducing ecological impact.

 

Photo by Daeva miles on Unsplash

1. WASH LESS FREQUENTLY

There are several reasons washing less is better, for both your product's lifespan and the environment. You will reduce freshwater consumption and the energy needed to power the washer and dryer as well as reduce microfibre shed on synthetic textiles.

Learn more about the risks of microfibre shedding.

Frequent washing also weakens the fibres of the texiles over time along with fading the dye in the cloth.

It's best to only wash when your product is truly dirty or smelly.

If your product has a small stain you can also spot clean it with a gentle detergent.

2. WASH FULL LOADS

A full washing machine prevents excessive friction between textile products, friction can dull the fibres as well as encourage the shedding of microfibres.

You'll also save time by laundering fewer loads!

3. USE NATURAL DETERGENTS

Eco-friendly detergents work equally as well as their counterparts without all the harmful chemicals and synthetic fragrances. It's best to look for detergent free from phthalates and phosphates and is biodegradable.

Bonus if you can use a detergent brand using eco-friendly packaging. We recommend eco-friendly detergent strips that come in plastic-free packaging.

4. WASH IN COLD WATER

Washing in cold water is just as effective as washing in warm or hot water but uses significantly less energy. Unless the care label on your product specifies otherwise washing in cold water will save you money and lower your emissions.

5. TURN PRODUCTS INSIDE OUT

Much like our suggestion to use the washing machine for full loads only, turning your products inside out will prevent excess friction, keeping your textiles from becoming faded too quickly.

6. PREVENT MICROFIBRE SHEDDING

While one way to prevent less microfibre shedding is laundering less often, eventually clothes do need to be washed. Luckily there are companies that sell washing bags that collect the microfibres to be used in the washing machine such as Guppyfriend.

7. AIR DRY

Drying your textiles in a traditional dryer uses a significant amount of energy. Hanging your textiles to dry reduces emissions and prolongs the life of your products. Refer to the care label to ensure proper care, especially for wool, which in most cases needs to be dried flat.

If you using the dryer is necessary, use the lowest heat setting.

8. SKIP THE IRON

To take care of wrinkles, steam your textiles instead of ironing them. Steaming is much more gentle on the fabric, providing longevity to your products.

9. SKIP THE DRY CLEANER

Dry cleaning uses harmful chemicals in the process of cleaning that causes environmental degradation and wear-out textiles.

Hand-washing or machine washing on a gentle cycle is just as effective for textiles that are labeled ‘dry clean only.’

10. MEND AND REWEAR

A great way to make your products last even longer is to take the time to repair them. Holes, tears or stains happen sometimes, whether it's from an accident or you've had your textile product for many years and it's wearing down. Sewing might be new to you so we're working on a series of how-to guides to help you love your products for even longer. There are a lot of different fun and interesting ways to repair your textiles from standard mending to visible decorative mending to natural dyeing.

Check out our How-To page to learn more about mending.

--

How to Care for Specific Fabrics

Cotton

Photo by Marianne Krohn on Unsplash

Cotton is natural cellulose textile that grows in a boll around the seeds of the cotton plant. Cotton has been used by humans to make textiles for thousands of years. Cotton is ubiquitous with textiles, it can be found in everything from dishcloths to bedding to clothing. It's soft, breathable, and widely available.

To Wash: Wash only when soiled or smelly in the washing machine at 30°C. Cotton can be spot treated as needed between washing.

To Dry: Air drying is the best way to dry cotton, this helps prevent it from shrinking and preserves the colour. If this is not an option, tumble dry on low.  *High heat will cause shrinkage.

To Store: Hang in closet on a hanger or fold flat in dresser or shelf.

For Wrinkles: A steamer works great to remove wrinkles or hang in the bathroom while showering if steaming isn't an option. To reduce wrinkles shake when after washing the garment.

Linen

Linen is a natural cellulose textile that comes from the baste flax plant. It has long been used by humans for textiles due to its strength, longevity, and versatility. It has wicking properties and provides thermoregulation, making it a great textile for all seasons. Linen clothing has the potential to last a lifetime with proper care.

To Wash: Much like cotton, linen does not require frequent washing. Wash only when soiled or smelly in the washing machine at 30°C, avoid using high temperature when washing as this can weaken the fibres. Linen can be spot treated as needed between washing.

To Dry: Air drying is the best way to dry linen, this helps prevent it from shrinking, weakening the fibres, and preserving the colour.

To Store: Hang using a wooden hanger between washing to ventilate and avoid excess wrinkles. Wire hangers can leave indentations in the fabric.

For Wrinkles: Linen is known for its wrinkling properties and is hard to avoid completely after being worn. A steamer works great to remove wrinkles or hang in the bathroom while showering if steaming isn't an option.

Silk

Photo by David Clode on Unsplash

Silk is a natural protein fibre made from silkworms. Silk has a long history, originating in China and later making its way to other parts of Asia through the infamous silk road. This textile is best known for its luster, shine, strength, and durability.

To Wash: Wash only when soiled or smelly. Hand wash in cold water or machine wash on a delicate cycle with cold water.

To Dry: Air drying is the recommended way of drying silk textile products, either hang to dry or dry laying the garment flat.

To Store: Hang using a wooden hanger between washing to ventilate and avoid excess wrinkles. Wire hangers can leave indentations in the fabric.

For Wrinkles: A steamer works great to remove wrinkles or hang in the bathroom while showering if steaming isn't an option.

Wool

Photo by Sam Carter on Unsplash

Wool is a natural protein fibre that comes from sheep. Humans have been using wool to make cloth for millennia. Sheep are among some of the first animals to be domesticated by humans. Today, there are several different breeds of sheep that produce different properties of fibre, some are more coarse and strong and others are more soft and delicate. Wool is an amazing textile for its natural wicking properties, breathability, thermal regulation, and resistance to fire and dirt.

To Wash: Wool can be washed by hand in cold water or in the washing machine on a gentle cycle in cold water. Warm or hot water with a high spin wash cycle will cause shrinking!

To Dry: Lay flat to dry, hanging will cause wool to stretch out and distort. Never put in the dryer, this will cause significant shrinking.

To Store: Fold flat and store in a dresser or on a shelf. *Pro tip, leave cedar balls or mothballs in the pockets or in the drawer of wool garments to prevent moths.

For Wrinkles: Wool can be steamed to remove wrinkles.

Some pilling is to be expected with wool, it can be removed using a fabric shaver or pilling comb.

Rayon Textiles

 

Photo by zoo_monkey on Unsplash

Rayon is a natural cellulose fibre made from tree pulp, though the source is naturally occurring the process to make the pulp into fibre requires a heavy chemical process. There are several names for rayon textiles including viscose, lyocell, modal or simply just rayon. These textiles have increased in popularity due to their versatility and low cost to produce but are a more delicate fabric so proper care is necessary when laundering.

To Wash:  Rayon can be washed by hand in cold water or in the washing machine on a gentle cycle in cold water. Avoid using hot water as this can damage the cloth.

To Dry: Hang to dry or lay flat to avoid distorting the fabric.

To Store: Hang in closet or folded flat in dresser or on a shelf.

For Wrinkles: Rayon does tend to wrinkle quite easy but steamer works great to remove wrinkles or hang in the bathroom while showering if steaming isn't an option.

Polyester

Polyester is a synthetic fibre composed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). It was first developed in a lab in 1928 and started to gain popularity in the mid to late 20th century. It’s best known for its breathability and wicking properties. It’s widely used in the fashion industry due to its low cost to produce. Unfortunately, polyester does come with environmental impacts as a non-renewable resource and not being biodegradable.

To Wash:  Machine wash in cold water and if possible use a microfibre washing bag to avoid the shedding fibres from reaching the waterways.

To Dry: Hang to dry or tumble dry on low heat.

To Store: Hang in closet or folded flat in dresser or on a shelf.

For Wrinkles: Polyester is not prone to wrinkles but if needed using a steamer works great to remove wrinkles or hang in the bathroom while showering if steaming isn't an option.

Acrylic

Acrylic is a synthetic fibre made from the polymer polyacrylonitrile (PAN). It was created by the DuPont company in 1941 and became more widely used in the 1950s. It’s commonly used for sweaters due to its warmth and strength. Like polyester, acrylic has negative environmental impacts as a non-renewable resource and not being biodegradable.

To Wash:  Machine wash in cold water and if possible use a microfibre washing bag to avoid the shedding fibres from reaching the waterways.

To Dry: Hang to dry or tumble dry on low heat.

To Store: Hang in closet or folded flat in dresser or on a shelf.

For Wrinkles: Acrylic is not prone to wrinkles but if needed, using a steamer works great to remove wrinkles or hang in the bathroom while showering if steaming isn't an option.

Textiles Care Guidelines

Below is a helpful diagram to help understand the symbols on the care label.