Posted in Life by Johanna Andersson
16 January, 2018
Source: Make It Last
Photo Source: Shidonna Raven Fashion. All Rights Reserved. Copyright.
Photo Source: Unsplash, Ryoji Hayasaka
As you probably know, the environmental impact of a garment doesn’t end after production—we as consumers also share a big part of the responsibility. One thing we can do to make our consumption more sustainable is considering the way we wash our clothes, and how often we do it. Many times, it’s simply enough to air the garments, steam them or spray them down with linen water, but when it’s time to throw them in the washer (due to stains or bad odor), there are a few things to keep in mind.
Firstly: Always make sure to fill up the machine completely, use an eco program if available, and choose the lowest temperature possible to save water and energy—this also prevents the garments from loosing their shape and color. Apparently, bacteria isn’t completely reduced even at 60°C, so don’t turn the heat up for that reason; modern washing machines clean clothes just as effectively in lower temperatures. When reducing the heat, it’s better to go for a liquid detergent instead of powder as it dissolves better and is kinder to the clothes. Nowadays you can also find natural detergents that are specially made for sportswear, and reduces odor already at 30°C. And remember: don’t OD. Using too much detergent doesn’t make the clothes any cleaner—it’s simply a waste of resources. Speaking of detergents: we know it’s important to choose natural, eco-friendly and organic detergents to prevent toxic and harmful substances and particles from being released into nature or the air we breath; and we don’t want that stuff to get into our bodies via the clothes we wear either. The list of undesirables seems to go on and on, but some things that are often pointed out as “bad” include: optical brighteners, chlorine, synthetic perfumes and colors, parabens, phosphates, petrochemicals and sulfates.
Question: how can we make informed choices if we can’t understand, or even pronounce, the words on the back of the bottles? Today, a lot of products are marketed as eco-friendly, natural and organic, but when you look at the ingredient list, it’s still completely incomprehensible. Question: how can we make informed choices if we can’t understand, or even pronounce, the words on the back of the bottles? In Sweden, for example, all detergents found in regular food stores are said to be “good for the environment”, but we’re pretty sure they run far behind the market leaders. So, let’s try to pin it down. We believe these are some of the qualities that make for a good washing detergent (and please let us know your view on this too!): Biodegradable and made from organic and natural ingredients; eco certified; concentrated and long-lasting (less water); free from toxic chemicals, artificial perfumes and colors; locally produced; contained in environmentally friendly, biodegradable and recyclable packaging. Few products seem to tick of all these boxes, unfortunately.
Another question: Do we really need to include softeners in our washing routine? Conventional softeners are often full of toxic, hormone disturbing chemicals, perfumes and plastic particles (phthalates), and can even damage the fabrics. Also, they’re totally unnecessary. However, if you feel you need it, here’s an all-natural suggestion: apparently distilled white vinegar can be used as a sort of fabric softener, and it also helps cleaning the washing machine from detergent residues. Instead of perfumes, you can try adding a few drops of essential oils if that’s something you like (be careful with the dosage though), which are also known to have antibacterial properties.
One final note: If you can, hang your clothes and textiles to air-dry instead of throwing them in the dryer. That saves a lot of energy and is much gentler on the fabrics that will last longer. And that’s what it’s all about, right?
CHECKLIST 1. Only wash full (not stuffed) machines. 2. Wash on low temperatures. 3. Use eco-programming if available. 4. Use fluid detergents that are natural and eco-friendly. 5. Don’t overdose the washing detergent. 6. Skip the softener. 7. Avoid micro plastics being released by using a washing bag. 8. Air dry as much as you can.
Which Shidonna Raven Fashion will you choose? We are all about longevity in fashion. How will you care for your clothes in a manner that gives them longevity keeping them in your closet longer and less clothing (fast & disposable fashion) in landfills? How will you accessorize them? Send us a picture! It could be featured in our blog. SHOP the COLLECTIONS Today!
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