We know that changing your habits to be more sustainable can be full of dilemmas, and fashion can already be a minefield in itself. Unsure how to resist the urge to replace pieces with a bit of wear-and-tear? Perhaps you want some tips on getting into mending and upcycling? Well not to worry, our agony aunt, Uncle Sage will give you all the tips you need.
I’m trying to look out for more sustainable clothing options like hemp and viscose, but I’m not sure how to care for these new materials – can I throw them in the washing machine?!
While we do of course recommend sustainable, organic materials, we understand that they can be a bit trickier to care for than your typical synthetics. We figured it wouldn’t be very responsible of us to recommend all these materials without explaining how to care for them, so we’ve put together some tips to best care for these materials.
First of all, don’t forget the key to any good wash, the cleaning product. When shopping for detergents and such, take care to check the label, and avoid ingredients like palm oil. Not to mention that many detergents, particularly laundry pods, can contain chemicals that are not only harmful to the planet but your body. Greener cleaning solutions are a little pricier but widely available from brands like Ecover, Method and Botanical Origin.
Washing at cooler temperatures isn’t just useful for preventing colours from running, but it’s also more eco friendly. If you want to know what temps and conditions are okay for what materials, read on.
Viscose: A versatile but very delicate fabric that cannot be machine washed, only delicately hand washed in cool/lukewarm temperatures. Be careful with the fabric, even when scrubbing stains take care not to use too much pressure for too long. Ironing viscose is also recommended to help restore its shape and colour after washing.
Hemp: Dry cleaning won’t do much good with hemp, however, unlike viscose it’s far more durable and can be machine washed. In fact, hemp grows softer with age and use, so no need to worry about wear and tear in the wash and it can also be ironed.
Organic cotton: All clear for a good machine wash, but only in cooler temperatures – 30˚C or below. To take proper care of your cotton, wash inside out with similar colours, use mild products and keep away from bleach. Only use medium to low temperatures when ironing, though it’s best to air out and hang-dry whenever possible.
Denim: Some of the most versatile parts of any wardrobe, there are a number of ways to care for your denim pieces. Mostly it’s down to personal preference, you can wash your denim often to get that faded look, or sparingly to preserve colour. Turning your jeans inside out in the wash can also prevent fading. Folding denim before washing can also lead to those familiar creases and lines, which can either be something to be wary of or an opportunity for personalisation.