How to save energy & make your clothes last longer.

Did you know that laundry accounts for about 3% of a garment's total climate impact? The longer the life of a garment, the greater this part will be. Therefore, it is important to wash properly, both to preserve the life of the garment and to reduce its climate impact. Here are our tips on how to wash climate smart!

1. Sorting 

Color If a single-color garment is washed together with multicolored garments, there is a risk that the one-color garment will color off on the lighter portions of the other garments. 

When sorting: 

- Whole white garments - only washed with other whitish garments, all other colors should be avoided completely. 

- Single color garments - washed with other garments in similar colors. 

- Multicolored garments - washed with other multicolored garments. Garments with light parts are washed separately and garments without light parts are washed separately. 

Did you know that? 

The garments can become discolored if they are in the washing machine after the washing is done. When wet garments lie against each other, it happens that colored garments color themselves on others. Therefore, try to hang the clothes on the dryer quickly after the machine is finished. 

 

2. Dosage 

A full machine Washing full machines saves energy, which saves the environment. A full machine is when you can place a knotted fist on top of the laundry when it is in the machine. Keep in mind that it is not good to wash overcrowded machines as this can damage both the machine and your clothes. 

Dosage detergent Overdosing detergent is not good as excess detergent is flushed into the drain, which is harmful to the environment, and because the color of the garment can be affected. Therefore, it is important to always use the dosage information available for your particular detergent. And always use ecolabelled detergents.  

No rinse aid We recommend that you do not use rinse aid as it impacts both the environment and the garment. It also rips on the material in your clothes which makes them not last as long.  

Did you know that? 

  • The water in different parts of the UK is different "hardness"? If you have hard water you need to increase the detergent dosage. But in most parts of UK the water is soft and there is no reason to increase the dosage. 
  • Different washing machines have different energy class? A washing machine with the highest energy class can save a lot of energy (and ££) in every wash. 
  • Newer washing machines usually have many different washing programs? Customize the wash program to your needs so you can save both energy and water at every wash. 
  • Certain garments, e.g. woolen garments are usually okay to hand rinse and leave to dry naturally. Handwashing does not have to be laborious! 

3. Drying 

From an environmental point of view, it is best not to dry in dryers or in dryers, in addition, the garments last longer if they are allowed to dry themselves. But there is one exception. In fact, outer garments need to dry in the tumbler or cabinet to reactivate their water repellency. And they need to get completely dry. On the other hand, it is important to dry according to the temperature the garment's washing line says. If it says that the garment should be washed at 40 degrees, it is also the maximum temperature for when it should be dried. Fill the dryer completely, but do not overload it, as the drying will be uneven and the garments will wrinkle. And best is just to dry garments that have the same drying time together. For example, synthetic and cotton have very different drying times. 

Washing jeans

If you take good care of a pair of jeans, they will be a loyal wardrobe favorite for a long time, which only gets nicer and softer over time. Here we provide tips to help you wash your jeans. 

• Follow the jeans washing instructions for temperature. 

• Empty all pockets. 

• Turn the jeans inside out, then you avoid any stripes forming in the folds of the jeans. 

• Always wash with similar colors - this is especially important the darker the jeans. 

• Use detergent without bleach. 

• Do not use rinse aid. Rinse agents can affect the elasticity of the jeans and are bad for the environment.  

• Do not leave your jeans soaked. 

• Take out your jeans right after the laundry is done. Turn the jeans right side out, shake and stretch them in the legs. 

• Let the jeans hang dry. Do not tumble dry, otherwise they may lose their fit. 

Wash functional outer garments

If you wash the functional outer garment properly, it will last longer. And drying instructions garments are actually almost as important. Here we give tips! But remember that a quick wipe with a damp cloth is often enough - it's the best for both the garment and the environment. Only machine wash when required.

Washing Follow the washing instructions. Wash at the correct temperature and wash with similar colors. 

Close all parts Close all buttons, zippers, buckles and Velcro straps. Then you avoid unnecessary wear on the various parts of the garment and  on the outer fabric. 

Inside out Wash the garment with the inside out to reduce wear on the outer fabric. 

No rinse aid Do not use rinse aid as it may affect the garment's water repellency. 

Do not leave it wet Remove the washed garment from the washing machine immediately after washing is complete. This prevents colors from being transferred to other areas of the garment. 

Wash fleece Avoid washing your fleece if possible. You can spot wash if there is a stain somewhere and air them out if they need freshening up. If it needs to be washed, we recommend using the wash bag Guppyfriend, this captures microplastic particles that synthetic material can emit in laundry, which prevents them from entering our lakes and oceans. The bag also makes the clothes washed cleaner, which makes them last longer! 

Drying Dry in a warm airing cupboard ideally or on an airer near a radiator. Only use the tumble dryer if really required and always on a low heat temperature.It's important not to leave in a cool environment to dry, as for the garment's water repellency to be reactivated, it needs to be dried at a warm temperature. This prevents the taped seams from loosening. You can't avoid the water repellency gradually being washed away anyway after many washes. Then the garment needs to be re-impregnated . You can buy impregnation in well-stocked sports and leisure stores, remember that the impregnation must be PFC-free to avoid nasty chemicals & toxins.   

Wash UV garments 

In order for the UV garment to retain its high sun protection, you need to take care of the garments properly. Luckily, it is easily done! 

Washing UPF 50 means that the garment provides 50 times more protection than wearing no sunscreen. It is simply a good piece of clothing to wear, especially for children as their skin is extra sensitive. Therefore, it is important to take care of the children's UV garments. Thank goodness it's easily done!

• Rinse garment after use - Rinse thoroughly in cold tap water when bathing ready for the day. 

• Turn the garment inside out - Follow the UV garment's washing label.

• Use detergent without bleach 

Drying

Do not dry directly in sunlight or in a tumble dryer. Dry in the shade or indoors instead in an airing cupboard or on an airer.