Okay, so this is a pretty important topic because there are too few people out there who don't realise the importance of taking care of our clothes.
Firstly, it is EXPENSIVE to keep replacing items. One day you are wearing your favourite pair of jeans and the next day, poof! they have split right by the thighs. So Annoying. Whilst we can't completely stop our clothes from degrading overtime, we can definitely delay this by taking care of them and here's how.
Let’s start with the obvious, wash your clothes less.
We know this sounds gross but washing your clothes excessively and unnecessarily can cause significant damage to their fibres, hence decreasing the lifespan of your clothes. There is no shame in wearing your garments more than once, unless, of course, you have sweated profusely in them. Then wash your clothes you detty pig! If you feel like your garment is not quite dirty but could use some freshening up, then try hanging it outside or in a steamy bathroom to breath.
You might like a boiling hot bath that is one degree from melting your skin off, but your clothes don’t.
If you can’t quite fathom the thought of re-wearing your clothes yet, then it is suggested that you wash them on a low heat. Use a gentle and natural laundry detergent to keep the fabric clean and soft as well as to prevent colour fading. We recommend 'Faithful to Nature' natural and biodegradable Eco Laundry products.
Did you know that the average shirt's 'in-use' stage of its life cycle accounts for 80% of its emissions during its first year? This is mostly because of machine washing and tumble drying. To avoid this, wash you clothing at 30° or less to help reduce those emissions, while also protecting your clothes.
Pay close attention to care labels.
That little itchy label at the back of your garment is not a suggestion! Instead of throwing it away because you cannot bare the itchiness any longer, keep the label or take note of the care instructions. Different garments need different types of care. For example, wool should only be washed once in a while and with a specific wool detergent on a gentle cycle or hand wash. Take a look at our blog post Clothing Labels and Wash Care Explained for more info.
Buy good quality items.
One of the biggest problems in today’s fashion industry is fast fashion. Mass consumption of unethical and environmentally unfriendly garments is not sustainable. These garments tend to break, tear, and fall apart a lot faster.
The solution? shop local, not only do smaller brands take the time to understand the types of fabrics and effects they have on the environment but they spend more time on creating garments to a higher standard of quality ensuring they last long over many washes. We know we do 😉.
There is still a lot of work to do to reduce the amount of fashion waste we as humans produce, and if you’re interested in how you can make a difference then visit the Fashion Revolution website.
Wash your clothes inside out.
We know this might sound strange or maybe you have done this already because you’ve been too lazy to turn them the right side out, but in this case, we implore you to embrace your laziness! Washing your clothes inside out can help avoid overfilling, which can cause friction and damage to the fibres of your clothing.
Avoid tumble drying at all cost.
Tumble drying can be so convenient for those of your who are busy bees. Plus, the feeling of warm clothes fresh out of the dryer is truly irresistible. But resist dammit! Tumble drying uses a ton of energy to run (which is obviously bad for the environment) and drying certain clothes excessively can also damage the fibres. Rather take the time to hang your clothes on a washing line or clothes horse outside, it’s very therapeutic. Again, be sure to check the labels because some garments, like wool, must be dried on a flat surface otherwise they will stretch.
Got a hole? Repair it!
This seems obvious but you would be surprised how many people throw away clothes in good condition simply because they have a hole in them. Sies! If you can’t sew, then support your local Laundromat and get your clothes repaired there. It is super cheap too, depending on the size of the repair. Repairing your garments will not only keep them out of landfill and maintain their wear-ability, but will increase their lifespan as the damage will most likely get worse in the long run if left unresolved.
It doesn’t fit anymore? Alter it!
Yes, our bodies change! This is no secret nor is it abnormal. However, this can be frustrating when your favourite mini skirt no longer fits quite as well. A moment of silence for all the cute clothes that don’t fit anymore please. Anyways, all is not lost. Again, make use of your local Laundromat and talk to them about helping make some alterations. Needless to say, it’s a win win situation because not only are you giving new life to your clothes, you are also supporting a small business. A modest alteration, such as taking it in at the waist or shortening a full-length dress into mid or short length, can turn your sad, outdated garment into what will feel like a fresh new outfit! Another bonus is it also keeps your old favourites updated with trending styles.
There are NO MORE excuses for chucking out clothing. If all else fails, donate your old, tattered garments to charities or thrift stores. There are an unfathomable amount of thrift stores in South Africa and they are really not hard to find. Here's a few to get you started:
We hope you learned something here and that you think twice next time about throwing that shirt you wore once into the machine.
