…for the boys
Written by: Giulia Simolo
You ensure you keep an eye on the environment and look fashionable by investing in eco chic clothing, but once you take the garments home they need to be looked after if you intend on making them last longer than a fortnight. But don’t worry – caring for eco-friendly clothing doesn’t have to be a mammoth task like trying to reverse global warming. Adopting a few simple tips is all it takes.
Pre-washing tips
Washing your clothes can provide a few dangers, especially to organic clothingwhich is more delicate than non-green items. Before you throw your clothing in the washing machine, here are some important preparation tips:
- Always turn your clothing inside out. This prevents the outside of your garments from becoming tattered.
- Check that you have not left zips or buttons undone. This will prevent the items from getting damaged and also prevent snags from forming in other clothing that’s in the same wash.
- Always check the labels of your clothing. Although air-drying is the best option for green clothing because it’s gentle on your clothes (and kind to the environment), some eco-friendly pieces do require hand washing or dry-cleaning.
Fast fact: According to a 2006 study by the University of Cambridge Institute for Manufacturing, approximately 60 percent of energy use associated with a piece of clothing comes from cleaning it! That’s a whopping amount, so it’s worth your while to look after the environment and your clothes simultaneously.
Throw salt on it
Adding a few teaspoons of table salt to your detergent can help make your clothes look brighter. And did you know a cup of the white stuff also prevents colours from leaking into each other? The benefits don’t stop there. According to the website www.howstuffworks.com, salt is a great addition to your cleaning process because it’s excellent on stains.
Keep it chilled
It might be second nature to use warm water to wash clothing, especially if the rugby’s on and you want to hurry up. But bear in mind hot water is a bad idea. First, it’s not really showing care to the environment with all the excess energy being used for the cleaning process. And second, the heat can damage clothing in the long run. A cold wash is a better idea. It prevents colour fading and bleeding, thus keeping your clothes in their best condition. Hand washing your clothing is the best option. It’s a lot gentler on material than washing machines, thus adding life to your clothes.
Clean green
Always purchase eco-friendly detergents that don’t contain chemicals which are bad news for your clothes. When shopping you might have the habit of zipping in, grabbing any old cleaning product and zipping back out, but take a look at the ingredients listed on the packaging. What should you be looking for? Products made with renewable, plant-based ingredients. They should be bio-degradable and environmentally friendly, so that they’ve been broken down by natural processes into a safe product. Such ingredients include hydrogen peroxide, sodium laureth, plant-essential oils and plant-derived alcohol ethoxylates. For some great green detergents, check out Biowash, Triple Orange and Wellness Warehouse.
Iron it out
Avoid ironing clothing where possible, but if you have to iron something take care to set your iron to a low heat. It’s also a good idea to avoid using the steam option on your iron as this can leave water stains on your clothes.
Repair, don’t bin
Sometimes things happen and your clothing ends up with tears or loses a button. But don’t throw it away. If you can’t put a needle and thread together to save your life, ask your mother, aunt, girlfriend/wife or friend to help you out. This will save you money and lengthen your wardrobe lifespan.
The liveeco team
