The entire life cycle of a garment is harmful to the environment, from production to maintenance to disposal. That is why it is of the utmost importance to take proper care of your clothes. Here are some tips.
It's no secret, the fashion industry is one of the most polluted in the world. It produces 10% of the world's carbon emissions, is the second largest consumer of the world's water supply and is also responsible for 20% of all industrial water pollution worldwide. Producing a garment requires significant amounts of chemicals, water, energy and other natural resources. Changes are now being made around the world to improve industry production and materials produced, but there is still a long way to go. And even if, for example, a garment made of a more sustainable material is less harmful than others, a manufactured product can never be better or as good, as if it had never been produced.
Every time you wash a piece of clothing, you tear it, meaning it's now one step closer to being unwearable or attractive. Each wash consumes an average of 72 liters of water per wash. Every load means energy is wasted and detergent ends up in our water system. Not to mention microplastics from textiles such as polyester, because research shows that as many as 700,000 microplastics can be released from one wash. Up to 40% of this then passes through treatment facilities and ends up in our lakes, rivers and oceans, where they are eaten by marine animals and then become part of our food chain and end up in our water resources. If you choose to tumble dry, even more energy is wasted and more microplastics are released, and more tears in your clothes.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency reports that in 2017, 16.9 million tons of textile waste was produced in the United States alone. It is estimated that only 15.2% of this has been recycled, leaving 11.2 million tons of textile waste in landfills. Once they end up in a landfill, it can take 200+ years for the materials to degrade. During the decomposition process, textiles also generate greenhouse gases and leach dyes and toxic chemicals into the soil and groundwater.
Many items of clothing are thrown away for no reason other than that the owner has had enough. Many others because they have lost the shape, color or appearance they once had. In many cases this was caused by ignorance, because they were washed too often and in the wrong way, or without the right tools and knowledge.
It comes down to washing less, washing well and restoring what can be repaired. If you follow these steps, you will soon notice that your wardrobe will last much longer.
Airing instead of washing goes a long way. In fact, materials such as wool are naturally self-cleaning. Aside from underwear, if the garment doesn't look bad or smell bad, you probably don't need to wash it.
Steaming kills bacteria, minimizes odors and refreshes a garment in an instant. It is also less harmful than washing and more energy efficient.
Misting items that just need a quick refresh is an easy trick that leaves a pleasant scent.
Brushing sturdy garments, such as jackets and suits, is often sufficient to remove stains and dust.
By specifically targeting stains, you increase the chance that they will disappear and you often no longer have to wash the garment.
Hand washing clothes is a gentler option than machine washing. But if you have to wash in a washing machine, it's important to use a gentle cycle and the right detergent. One that has been specially developed for the textile and color of the garment.
By effectively removing lint, a garment that looks old and dull can look like new again. And don't forget to fix what can be repaired, such as sewing a hem or replacing a button.
