Looking to extend the lifetime of your garment?
Caring is important - mostly because when looking at garments as a whole we consistently find that the greatest environmental impact of a garment is not in its production, transport or disposal but in its use by the consumer - when washing, drying and ironing.
The Golden Rules
Wash Less
When washing, do full loads or adjust the cycle based on the load’s weight.
Keep it Cool
Use up to 60% energy less by turning the temperature down from 40º to 30º.
Flat Dry
Always flat dry wool and knit garments to protect their shape.
Iron Less
Hang clothes properly or use a steamer instead - it's softer on fabrics.
Air Dry
Machine drying has a huge impact- Hang your clothes outside, away from the sun.
Store Properly
Store your clothes properly - hang your shirts and fold your knits - they will last a lifetime.
Just changing from warm to cold water we save up to 40kgs of CO2 emissions, and truth to be told our clothes aren’t that dirty when we put them to wash, so cold water is just fine. Studies also show that drying machines are the most impactful process in washing - let’s give air dry a chance!
Ironing has an important role as well. Time and energy is saved by using efficient drying techniques like hanging the clothes without wrinkles or using a steamer - it’s usually quicker and uses less energy than ironing. Pro Tip: while taking a bath, hang your outfit in the bathroom - chances are most of the wrinkles will disappear with all the moisture!
Standard laundry detergents don’t have environmentally friendly ingredients, and it’s really hard to find eco-friendly detergents. When buying try to avoid these ingredients: SLS/SLES; LAS; bleach; NPEs; napthas. And instead of laundry softner use standard vinegar with your prefered scented natural oil - it does the same or an even better job!
Care by Fiber
Linen
Really easy to care for - linen can be washed up to 40ºC, but we always recommend keeping it cool, or at 30ºC.
These garments are also quick-drying and can be tumble dried, and ironed. However, they're not wrinkle resistant.
When ironing linen, make sure that the garment is damp.
Cotton
These garments dry slowly - always dry flat so they don't loose their shape - and can be washed up to 40ºC for colored items (remember the golden rule, if the garment isn't that dirty, keep the temperature cool),and tumble dried.
Cotton garments can be ironed at high temperatures, but make sure that the piece is damp.
Lyocell
An easy care fiber - can be washed up to 40ºC - but do not bleach it! - and can be tumble dried on low temperatures.
We always recommend to line dry or hang dry for a crease free fabric (bonus points for color protection - dry it in the shade).
When ironing, always do it with the garment inside-out, unless you want a super shiny fabric.
Wool
Please do not wash your wool garments between each wear - simply hang it outside the house or in a damp bathroom - wool cleans itself to some extent.
Do not tumble dry wool garments, always hang flat in the shade so they don't loose their shape.
When washing, do it with special care - by hand or in a special wool machine program.
Polyester
When you wash anything made from synthetics - even recycled stuff or mixed fibers - tiny bits of microfibers are shed, which leads to plastic pollution.
We only use polyester in pieces that require little to no washing. To solve the problem, we recommend you using a GuppyFriend bag to capture the microfibers.
I don't wear my clothes anymore, what should I do?
Sometimes we use our clothes until the end of their life, if only they could last forever right?
Sadly, the recycling system for clothing is still underdeveloped in most countries.
Try researching for local associations near your area, or reuse the fabric, for cleaning cloths, or even doll dresses - the ideas are infinite and always better than to throw it away!
Exhange for a SELL 1 BUY 1 VOUCHER
Swap or donate at local charities and markets.
Mend or upcycle - there's a lot of YouTube videos on this!
