CLOTHING CARE TIPS 101
Good news: up to two-thirds of clothes’ carbon footprint occurs after you take it home. That’s incredible because a lot of all the nasty stuff in the fashion industry is in your hands to fix. The extra good news is that it’s not even hard stuff to do.
So I thought I’d share some top tips for garment care, to help keep your clothes looking as good as the day you bought them.
RESTORING WHITES
Brightening up your dull or discolored whites needn’t call for ecologically harmful bleach. For a more natural approach, simply follow these steps:
1. Mix one cup of lemon juice with a tub of warm water to create a powerful pre-wash soak. Leave laundry to soak for 30 to 60 minutes before washing as normal.
2. Add a quarter of a cup of baking soda to your rinsing cycle to safely lighten, soften and deodorize whites.
3. Sunlight is a chemical-free bleaching agent, which also helps to kill bacteria. Simply hang laundry outdoors in the sun to dry for whiter whites, with added freshness.
PROLONGING COLOR & PRINT
Keep colors vivid and prints defined by taking a little extra care when laundering:
1. Soak new garments in one teaspoon of Epsom salt dissolved in a tub of cool water to prevent colors from running in the first wash.
2. Turn garments inside out before laundering to reduce fading.
3. Always dry prints and darks inside out and in the shade to prevent the lightening effects of the sun.
KNITS: JENTLY DOES IT
Knitted garments can often be the most difficult to care for. Follow these easy instructions to show your knitwear the love it deserves:
1. Hand wash garments in cool water using a mild, Eco-friendly detergent.
2. A salad spinner makes for an excellent, gentle way to remove excess water and speed up the drying process.
3. Always dry knitwear on a flat surface to help preserve garment shape.
4. Pilling can be easily removed using a sweater stone or a recycled razor.
STORE SMARTLY
We could all do with a little more room in our wardrobes and spring is the perfect time to DE-clutter by storing away winter essentials. Ensure they’re kept in prime condition with these handy tips:
1. Use vacuum bags to save on space and keep garments free from dust. Just be sure all garments are completely dry before packing away.
2. We love natural fibers, but they can be a target for damaging pests, such as moths. Keep them at bay naturally by using DIY moth repellent — instructions here!
3. If you find your garments smelling a little musty after storage, use a mixture of one part vodka and one part water in a spray bottle and lightly mist each garment. The alcohol in the vodka will kill any odor-producing bacteria and will evaporate without a trace (always do a patch-test in an inconspicuous area first).
