If our aim is to be more sustainable with our clothes, one great thing we can do is simply taking better care of them. This helps the garments to last longer and look better over time. Also, better quality products tend to last longer, so sometimes it is worth investing a bit more when buying a new T-shirt. I think you have witnessed that often a 10USD shirt does not look good after just a few washes and you feel like getting rid of it rather quickly. So perhaps it is better to buy a bit more expensive one as it lasts longer and in the end, you save more. Now, be careful, as sometimes you just pay for a brand and not so much for the quality.
Reading fabric care labels
Many of the symbols and signs on clothing labels are very likely not known to the majority of people. However, they should be followed if you want to make sure your clothes will not be damaged or ruined after the first attempt to clean and/or dry them. If you are tempted to cut the label off, you can always take a picture of it with your phone to make sure you have the information available when you need it.
The most common signs on these labels give you the instructions and guidelines for:
- washing temperature
- machine wash (allowed or not and at what temperature)
- hand wash (allowed or not and at what temperature)
- bleaching (allowed or not and in which conditions)
- tumble drying (allowed or not and in which conditions)
- air drying (guidelines for how to air dry)
- ironing (allowed or not and in which conditions)
- dry cleaning (allowed or not)
Here is a great guideline that explains these symbols for you.
Washing and drying the right way
It is always better to use lower washing temperatures if possible as it does not only damage the fabric less but also helps to save the power and energy that is needed to heat the water. It is just important to know that if you constantly use lower temperatures, there is an increased risk of mold, grease and smells appearing. However, with a good detergent, most programs for 30°C are great and widely used for washing different fabrics, especially wool, silks, strongly dyed fabrics, or items prone to shrinking.
40°C is good for everyday washing and for stronger fabrics like cotton and different blended fabrics.
Bacteria, viruses, and stains are known to be removed at 60°C. The temperature is great for washing bed linen, underwear, and towels.
90°C. should not be used on a regular basis as it can easily damage clothes and make them shrink. It can be useful for brightening the white clothes and remove some stubborn stains.
Cold water can be used for almost any fabric, but it is best for delicate fabrics (silk) and dark, colorful and heavy-patterned clothes that can easily run.
It is also important to know that the lower temperatures you use, the more washing detergent you should add. I would always recommend using eco-friendly detergents if possible as they are better for nature and for your skin. However, if you have some stubborn stains, have a look at the next chapter for some extra tips.
When it comes to drying your garments, there are two options – tumble drying and air drying. The first option is the quickest and most convenient, but uses more energy and, unfortunately, causes clothes to shrink faster (twice as fast) compared to air drying.
Not all fabrics and clothes can be tumble dried, especially the ones containing elastane (spandex) that is sensitive to heat. Therefore avoid putting your bathing suits and tights in the dryer as they will lose their elasticity quicker. The same goes for bras as they are too delicate and the heat will cause them to lose their shape. Anything that has some bling or similar materials on your garments may melt in the drying machine so be aware and avoid throwing them in.
Air-drying is definitely a better and more sustainable option if you do not have a big (sporty) family that produces an incredibly big amount of dirty clothes daily. Just pay attention to the labels to make sure which clothes are advised to be dried hanging, drip-dried, or dried flat. Avoid putting clothes to dry in direct sunlight as it also damages different fabrics and makes the colors fade quickly.
Tips for removing stains
The general rule is to try to remove the stain as early as possible, let it soak in the stain remover for a while, and then wash the piece of clothing with the warmest temperature allowed for the specific fabric. If it does not work, repeat the procedure.
There are some stains that should be first soaked in cold or cool water like fresh blood, different foods (beans, different sauces), and beverages (coffee, tea, wine) before further treatment.
Several stains should be soaked in laundry enzymes before washing, e.g. baby formula, dried blood, bodily fluids, dairy products, and grass.
Cosmetic and lipstick stains should be pretreated with stain remover or laundry detergent (liquid or powder) and water or rubbed with soap before washing. The same goes for grease and oil stains. Both should be later washed with the hottest allowed temperature for the specific textile.
Google is always your best friend when it comes to removing different types of stains, but it is good to have the laundry enzymes and stain removers ready to not let the stain soak in for too long once your favorite pieces of clothing are in danger. Vinegar and baking soda do their magic also when it comes to stain removal. Bleach will remove almost any stain from white clothing so you may want to have it stored just in case. Again, remember to read your labels to make sure bleaching is allowed before you take action.
Dry cleaning – is it worth it?
Dry cleaning is a process that uses liquids to clean clothes instead of water. Dry cleaning is preferred when water can damage the fabric or when the washing machine can damage certain delicate decorations on the garment (buttons, lace, sequins, etc.). While it can definitely better preserve your clothes and may be needed for certain clothes you own, please be aware the liquids the garments are being soaked with consist of many solvents that can be both harmful to the environment and your health.
Read more about dry cleaning here.
Ironing vs steaming
In order to avoid your clothes from wrinkling and creasing too much, it is first important to make sure you are following proper drying instructions on the clothing label to avoid needless creasing. The best and easiest way to dry your clothes would be already on hangers, but only if drying on hangers is suggested for this specific fabric (check the instruction label). It is normally suggested for stronger textiles that are not stretchy. Try not to pile the dry clothes for too long as this makes it also harder to get rid of the wrinkles.
However, when ironing is needed, again make sure to follow the instructions on the fabric label and avoid using too hot temperature settings as it may damage your clothes permanently and also ruin your iron. It is always easier to iron damp clothes. It both protects the fabric and helps to get rid of wrinkles more easily. You may want to iron your clothes inside out to make sure small possible damages would not be visible and also use an ironing cloth between the iron and garment. Ironing works best with stronger fabrics like cotton, denim, linen, and canvas (mix of cotton and linen). Do not iron dirty and stained clothes as ironing may help the stains to “set”. Always use stilled water in the iron as some areas have “hard water” that is rich in minerals and can both damage the iron and the clothing leaving unwanted marks on it.
Some delicate fabrics (e.g. silk) should not be ironed and steaming should be preferred instead. Steaming can be used for stronger fabrics like cotton as well, but it simply takes more time to get the wrinkles out. Steaming is great as it eliminates bacteria and therefore freshens clothes and removes the odors. It is also easy to use and does not need any additional accessories like an ironing board. So if you are patient enough and or have delicate fabrics, go with steaming.
Using lint removers
Some degree of pilling is always expected with natural fibers. It does not mean your garment is ruined but refers that some extra care is needed. There are plenty of lint shavers available online at reasonable prices, but you may also use small pair of scissors or a razor blade to carefully remove fluff and pills.
Once you have removed the pills a few times, you should find your fabrics pill less.
Simple as that.
Storing clothes the proper way
Below are the basics you should know about storing clothes between seasons (or for longer):
- Always make sure to clean your clothes before storing and dry them out properly.
- Use a suitable storing container (plastic, cardboard box, etc.). Plastic boxes are preferred for seasonal storage as cardboard boxes may fall apart over time and are susceptible to infiltration from rodents and insects.
- Store heavier clothes in the bottom and leave room in the containers to avoid creases and wrinkling that is hard to remove once you unpack your clothes. It also allows air to circulate better.
- You should fold clothes that would stretch while being hung and hang anything that would be wrinkled by being folded.
- Use breathable hanging bags. Avoid plastic hanging bags as moisture trapped inside a cheap plastic bag can cause yellowing and mildew problems on the fabric.
- Be careful with vacuum sealing. It may help to save storage, but certain fabrics may get too tightly compressed and it takes time to get into their right shape after.
- Use (chemical-free) mothballs, cedar blocks, or cedar-lined chests to prevent getting clothing moths. The mothballs need to be changed once in a while as they will lose their effectiveness over time. You may also try dry lavender, but it may not be as efficient as mothballs and cedar blocks.
- Remove all stains and pills before storing your garments. Stains may soak in overtime and it is harder to get rid of them later.
- Store clothes in a cool, dry, and dark place that is preferably climate-controlled.
- Check your stored clothes once in a while to make sure they are not damaged.
Conclusions
You may go into more detail with every topic above, however, knowing the basic textile care is a great start and definitely helps your clothes to live a longer and healthier life. You can be sure your wallet will also thank you after some time and so does the environment. And do not hesitate to start with small steps if all of this to follow at once just seems too much for the start. Every little step counts.