How to care for your clothes so they last a long time, in an eco-responsible way
Small practical guide
Adopting eco-responsible practices in the care of your clothes is a simple and effective step to reduce your environmental impact. By extending the life of your pieces while saving water and energy, and limiting harmful products, you are doing something for the planet and for your wardrobe.
Discover our tips for caring for your clothes while respecting the environment.
1. Choose quality, eco-friendly clothing
Eco-responsible maintenance begins with the purchase.
Choose clothes made from sustainable materials and manufactured locally to reduce their carbon footprint. Avoid fabrics made from petrochemicals such as polyester.
2. Wash less often and in cold water
Overwashing damages textile fibres and uses a lot of energy and water. Before washing a garment, ask yourself if it is really dirty. Sometimes, a simple blast of fresh air or spot stain removal is enough.
When washing is necessary:
- Choose low-temperature washes (30°C or less) . This saves energy and preserves the quality of the fabrics. Remember that the temperature indicated on the garment label is not the temperature at which it should be washed, but the one not to exceed.
- Use the short cycle if possible, especially for lightly soiled clothes.
- Remember that synthetic materials shed microfibers with every wash and these microfibers end up in the oceans.
3. Use an eco-friendly detergent
Conventional detergents often contain chemicals that are harmful to the environment. Choose an eco-friendly detergent, without phosphates or artificial fragrances.
You can also make your own homemade laundry detergent with natural ingredients by mixing Marseille soap and baking soda. Add a few drops of essential oil if you wish.
4. Avoid fabric softeners
In addition to the products that are harmful to the planet, contained in fabric softeners, they have a damaging effect on your clothes.
In fact, to soften the linen, they cause a twisting of the fibers. Wash after wash, the fibers lose their quality.
5. Adopt alternatives to the dryer
The dryer consumes a lot of energy and quickly damages the fibers. To dry your clothes in an eco-responsible way:
- Lay them out in the open air on a line or clothes horse. For colored fabrics, prefer to dry them indoors to avoid fading due to the sun.
- For heavy fabrics, such as jeans, stretch the garment slightly before hanging it to avoid creasing and make ironing easier.
- Remember to hang your clothes out to dry as soon as you have finished washing them, to avoid creases that are too pronounced and difficult to iron.
6. Iron only what needs ironing.
Ironing represents 1/5 of the energy consumed for the maintenance of a garment. Some pieces, stretched and well folded, do not require ironing.
When possible, opt for steam straighteners, which use less energy and are just as effective as irons (ultra effective on viscose, for example).
7. Invest in accessories for sustainable maintenance
To maintain your clothes while reducing their environmental impact, consider these tools:
- Washing balls : They reduce water and detergent consumption
- Anti-microplastic washing bag for synthetic textiles : It captures plastic fibers that are released during washing and prevents them from ending up in the ocean.
8. Recycle and give a second life to your clothes
When you no longer wear an item of clothing, don't throw it away!
- Recycle it : Take it to a collection point specializing in upcycling.
- Customize it : An iron-on, a little embroidery, and voila! your garment changes its life.
- Give it away or sell it : Your pieces can still make someone else happy.
A wardrobe that lasts is a gesture for the planet
Taking care of your clothes in an eco-friendly way not only saves resources, but also extends the life of your favorite pieces. By adopting these simple actions, you help reduce your environmental impact while affirming your commitment to more sustainable fashion.
At Les Militantes, we design clothes that are made to last, so that your wardrobe is as beautiful as it is ethical. 🌿