CARING FOR YOUR CLOTHES
We hope that the tips below help you to extend the life of your clothes and protect our environment
Washing - timing is everything
The key to getting your clothes clean is more about when you wash them than how you wash them. If sweat and dirt are allowed to dry onto clothing then bacteria can flourish and dirt, stains and smells are hard to remove. The sooner you wash clothes after they have been worn the better.
Washing - hotter and longer is not better
If you wash your clothes soon after wearing, then it is not necessary to wash them in hot water or use multiple wash cycles. After treating stains (see our next tip) then clothes can be washed on a cool cycle. A 30 minute cycle should be enough. Long wash cycles can contribute to fabric abrasion and pilling.
Removing stains - timing and treatment
It is obviously ideal if stains can be rinsed out when they happen but when that is not possible then the stain should be treated before the garment is washed. This can be done using a garment stain remover, Oxyclean or a similar product. It is best to soak only the stained area before washing.
Laundry detergent - biological is better
We recommend biological laundry detergents because the enzymes that they contain are effective for removing stains, they work well at cool temperatures and they are gentle on fabrics, increasing the lifespan of your clothes. Non-biological detergents can contain harsh bleaches and other chemicals that damage fibres.
Zips, hooks and laundry nets
Always close zips when you wash your clothes. Zip teeth can abrade fabric during washing.
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It is also better to wash any items that have hooks, metal buttons or rivets separately or in a laundry net to prevent them from damaging your other clothes.
Drying - protect your clothes and our planet
Tumble drying damages clothing fibres and reduces their tensile strength. The fluff in the dryer is bits of your clothes! Hanging clothes to dry will extend their life - if you can hang them in the sun white shirts will also benefit from natural bleaching. Ideally knitwear should be dried flat.
Fabric softener - not recommended
Fabric softener often contains ammonia - the negative ions fluff up fabrics. Softeners need to be heavily scented to mask the ammonia smell. They also contain fatty acid molecules, which make your clothes feel soft but reduce breathability and leave a waxy film on fabrics over time.
Ironing - how to make it easier
If wrinkles are shaken out of clothes before they are hung up to dry then they will be easier to iron.
In general, steaming is easier and gentler on clothes than ironing is. You can use an iron to add creases, if necessary, after steaming.