If you’ve recently made the transition to vegan and sustainable fashion, congratulations! You’re making a positive impact on animals, workers, and the planet. But there’s another important consideration when wearing eco-friendly clothes: how you care for them.
Some vegan and sustainable fabrics may require gentle handling to maintain their quality. In this guide, we’ll share expert tips and tricks for properly cleaning, maintaining, and extending the life of your eco-conscious wardrobe.
Understanding Vegan and Sustainable Fabrics
Many vegan fabrics, such as organic cotton, linen, hemp, and bamboo, are natural and biodegradable. However, they may have different characteristics that affect how you care for them.
- Organic cotton, linen, and hemp are prone to shrinking, so it’s important to wash them separately from synthetic fabrics and avoid high heat when drying.
- Bamboo fabric can be sensitive to water temperature and detergent, so it’s best to use cold water and a mild, eco-friendly detergent.
When shopping for sustainable clothing, look for labels and certifications that indicate the environmental and social standards the fabric and manufacturing process have met. Some common certifications include Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Fair Trade Certified, and Responsible Wool Standard.
Gentle Washing Techniques
To keep your vegan and sustainable clothes looking their best, choose a gentle washing cycle and a temperature setting that suits the fabric. For most eco-friendly fabrics, the gentle cycle is recommended. When in doubt, check the care label to be sure.
When it comes to detergents, choose a phosphate-free, low-sudsing, eco-friendly formula. Avoid products with harsh perfumes or additives that can irritate sensitive skin. Some eco-friendly detergents are also designed to work well in cold water.
Instead of using bleach, try an oxygen-based stain remover. Bleach can damage natural fibers and degrade the elasticity of clothing over time.
Drying and Storage Strategies
Air drying is the best option for most eco-friendly fabrics, as it helps to preserve the natural fibers and prevent shrinking. If you don’t have time to hang clothes out to dry, choose a low heat setting on your dryer to minimize damage.
When storing clothes that you don’t wear often, avoid plastic storage bins, as they can trap moisture and cause mildew to grow. Instead, use breathable containers or natural fiber storage bags.
To prevent clothes from getting yellow stains on the shoulders from sunscreen, consider wearing a T-shirt underneath your favorite top when going to the beach or pool. If you do notice yellow stains on your clothes, rub them with a bit of lemon juice before washing to help lift the stains.
Moths are attracted to natural fibers like wool and silk, as well as the oils in human hair. To keep moths away from your clothing, consider storing garments in airtight containers or using cedarwood or lavender sachets.
Spot Cleaning and Stain Removal
For small stains on vegan and sustainable fabrics, it’s best to spot clean rather than waiting until it’s time for a full load of laundry. Use a soft-bristled brush or your fingers to gently work in a natural stain-fighting ingredient like baking soda, salt, or a mild detergent. Rinse the stain with cold water and repeat as needed.
For sweat stains, mix a paste of equal parts baking soda and water, and let it sit on the stain for 30 minutes before rinsing with cold water. Use a soft-bristled brush to gently work the paste into the stain if needed. To help prevent sweat stains, apply a natural deodorant and avoid wearing the same clothes multiple days in a row.
Extending the Life of Your Clothes
Mending torn clothes and altering garments that no longer fit are great ways to extend their life. Look up simple sewing techniques online or ask a friend or family member for help. Some clothing companies also offer repair services, so check their websites for more information.
If you have clothes that have seen better days but are still wearable, consider reviving them with fabric freshener, a clothing refresh device, or by taking them for a spin in the dryer with a few damp towels to help loosen and remove odors.
When it’s time to get rid of clothes, consider hosting a clothing swap with friends or attending a local clothing swap event. You can also sell your clothes on resale platforms like thredUP, Poshmark, or Depop to earn some cash and extend the life of your clothes even further.
Laundry Habits for a Sustainable Lifestyle
Here are some additional laundry habits that can help you reduce your environmental impact:
- Reduce the number of washes by wearing clothes multiple times before washing them.
- Wash a full load of laundry to make the most of water and energy use. If you don’t have enough clothes for a full load, consider teaming up with neighbors or friends to share loads.
- Choose a high-efficiency washing machine that uses less water and energy than standard models.
- Use cold water whenever possible to save energy and extend the life of your clothes.
By adopting these simple laundry habits, you’ll not only save water and energy but also help preserve the quality and longevity of your eco-friendly wardrobe.
Happy washing!
1. Understanding Vegan and Sustainable Fabrics
* Common vegan fabrics include organic cotton, linen, hemp, and bamboo.
* Each fabric may require specific care considerations.
* Look for sustainable clothing labels and certifications, such as GOTS, Fair Trade Certified, and Responsible Wool Standard.
2. Gentle Washing Techniques
* Choose a gentle washing cycle and a temperature setting that suits the fabric.
* Use a phosphate-free, low-sudsing, eco-friendly detergent.
* Avoid bleach and opt for oxygen-based stain removers.
3. Drying and Storage Strategies
* Air dry most eco-friendly fabrics to preserve natural fibers and prevent shrinking.
* Use a low heat setting on your dryer if you must machine dry.
* Store clothes in breathable containers or natural fiber storage bags to prevent mildew growth.
4. Spot Cleaning and Stain Removal
* For small stains, gently work in a natural stain-fighting ingredient like baking soda or salt.
* Apply a natural deodorant and avoid wearing the same clothes multiple days in a row to prevent sweat stains.
5. Extending the Life of Your Clothes
* Mend torn clothes or alter garments that no longer fit.
* Use fabric freshener, a clothing refresh device, or take clothes for a spin in the dryer with damp towels to help remove odors.
* Host a clothing swap, sell clothes on resale platforms, or donate them to extend their life.
6. Laundry Habits for a Sustainable Lifestyle
* Reduce the number of washes by wearing clothes multiple times before washing them.
* Wash a full load of laundry to make the most of water and energy use.
* Choose a high-efficiency washing machine that uses less water and energy than standard models.
* Use cold water whenever possible to save energy and extend the life of your clothes.