Care guide
Buying sustainable clothing is an excellent first step in reducing our carbon footprint. The second step would be to make our clothes last longer so that we don’t have to throw them away.
Contrary to popular belief, our clothing doesn’t wear out due to frequent wear but rather because of frequent washing. Because of this washing process, clothes often lose their fit, thickness and color.
In addition, the excessive use of a washing machine is also detrimental to our environment and our wallet. A few minor changes to your laundry routine can go a long way.
Think before you wash, these tips and tricks make all the difference.
*only wash when really dirty
- DIRT: Wash small sports and stains by hand instead of immediately putting them in your machine.
- ODOURS: Try air cleaning first. Just hang your clothes up & let the fresh air do its job.
- WOOL: Wool is self-cleaning, you actually don’t have to wash it. Simply try spot cleaning minor stains and use a sweater stone to remove pilling.
- DENIM: This may sound weird, but denim only needs washing a few times a year. When you do want to refresh, try airing it out & spot cleaning minor stains.
- WASHING MACHINE: If you do use your washing machine, always:
- Wash your clothing inside out to preserve prints and colors
- Use a laundry bag for delicate or synthetic materials.
- Only wash full loads
- Use an eco program (low temperatures and low spin cycles)
- Use eco-labelled washing detergents to reduce water pollution by harmfull chemicals
Steam it up
- Only iron or steam when necessary – hang up t-shirts and blouses in your bathroom whilst showering. No steamer necessary when you have the heat of your shower doing your dirty work.
- Steamer above iron – talk about killing two birds with one stone. The hot steam ensures that bad odors and bacteria do not stand a chance and this in turn ensures that your clothes are fresh and clean again.
Freeeeze the smell away
- Make sure you have an airtight bag, put the clothes in the bag.
- Place the bag in the freezer for a few hours.
- Take the clothing out of the bag again, rinse them and let them dry outside.
baking soda i got baking soda
Because of its absorbent nature, it can help completely eliminate the substances that cause foul-smelling odors and stains.
- Sprinkle a little baking soda over the garments you want to clean.
- Let the baking soda do its job for twenty minutes.
- Then use a brush to remove it again.
- You can also try putting a container of baking soda in your dresser or closet to absorb the smell of mold.
Vodka is your friend
- Put (cheap) vodka in a spray bottle.
- Spray your clothing and hang them up to dry
- Voila! Fresh as a daisy.
But how? The alcohol in voda kills the smelly bacteria. Be careful with dark fabrics, satin, silk or leather. Alcohol can have a negative effect on these types of fabric.
I care for you
- Fold your knitwear instead of hanging them – it helps keeping their shape. An added tip is to dry knitted pieces on a flat surface to help keep their shape.
- Repair vs replace: this one is obvious but please always try to repair your clothes before replacing them.
- Share the love: pass on your unwanted clothes, don’t just throw them away. Give them to a friend or family member, sell them or help a local charity and make someone happy.
