Most people know that clothing consumption has an impact on both the environment and nature, and many of us may think twice before shopping for new clothes. Taking care of the clothes and accessories we already have in our wardrobe can help us to be more sustainable in relation to our consumption.
– The big environmental culprit is the production of new materials. Therefore, it is important that we take care of what is manufactured and give it as long a life as possible. This is the best way to consume,” says Jonas Larsson, a researcher in textiles and fashion at the Swedish School of Textiles in Borås.
How do I take care of clothes and accessories?
- Think long-term – how can I help this garment last as long as possible?
- Wash infrequently – airing or removing stains by hand is often enough. Washing infrequently means that clothes wear out slowly. They are also less likely to shrink.
- Always unpack your gym bag so that your polyester clothes don’t get wet. This makes them wear out faster.
- Make sure that natural materials are not exposed to pests.
- Find the right impregnation method for your garment or accessory.
Which impregnation is best for clothes?
– There are various impregnating waxes that are effective for both leather and textiles. But when you re-impregnate, it is difficult to get it to sit well and you may need to repeat the treatment several times, says Jonas Larsson and continues:
– Many new clothes have impregnations that contain fluorocarbons. They work very well, but unfortunately they are harmful to the environment. I would avoid using this type of impregnation.
How to care for & wash your materials
Wool – Taking care of your wool clothes
Wool absorbs moisture, is antiseptic and naturally repels dirt because it contains lanolin, which acts as wool’s own grease and waterproofing. Therefore, you don’t need to think about impregnating your wool garment.
- Use a storage bag or wrap the garments in cedar to minimize the risk of pests.
- If your wool garment has become wet, make sure to dry it thoroughly.
- Pimples? You can easily fix that with a wool comb.
- Repair holes in the sleeve with elbow patches.
Silk & silk – How to take care of your textiles
The thread that comes from the cocoon of the silk worm is called silk, while the fabric woven from the thread is called silk. Like wool, silk has temperature-regulating properties and keeps you both warm and cool. If the silk garment sits loosely on the body, this property works optimally.
- This material is fragile and tears easily – be extra careful!
- Keep in mind that water droplets can stain and the sun can fade the silk.
- Always check whether the garment should be steamed or ironed, it varies depending on the quality.
Washing advice and tips for linen
This material has reappeared in both wardrobes and interiors. A more comfortable natural material is hard to find! And it’s great that linen gets nicer and softer the more it’s used.
- Mangle after washing – this gives the linen a shiny finish that resists dirt better.
- New linen that is to have a wrinkled look can be tumble dried on a low heat; older linen should not be tumble dried.
- Store your linen in a way that avoids creases. This applies to clothes, tablecloths and bedding
Washing velvet & tips to avoid stains
The more luxurious type of velvet is made of silk, which gives more luster than the more common velvet varieties made of cotton or synthetics. Whatever the type of velvet, it’s good to try to avoid stains – wipe up any liquid quickly before it sinks in.
- Velvet attracts dust easily. Keep a damp cloth, roller or fabric brush handy to remove the worst of it.
- Always brush in the direction of the velvet pile, otherwise you can create creases and marks that damage the structure.
- Hang the garment on a hanger to avoid pressure marks.
Manchester – washing advice & tips
Do you also get 60s vibes from Manchester? You’re probably not alone. Whether you love corduroy or not, one thing’s for sure: it’s a durable fabric, perfect for jackets, pants and suits alike.
- Because corduroy is durable, it does not need to be washed very often.
- Keep in mind that it can be very elastic depending on the structure and material composition.
- To remove dust and lint, you should use a clothes brush.
Caring for leather – Taking care of your leather products
Many people have a favorite bag in their wardrobe – often made of leather or hide. Tanning can produce many different types of leather textures, and how your particular leather product is cared for depends entirely on its quality.
- Impregnate with wax as soon as the leather looks dry and worn.
- Make sure to clean the leather with leather cleaner before impregnating it.
- Never dry with a hair dryer or on a radiator. This can cause the leather to crack easily.
- Keep crumpled paper in the leather bag when not in use.
How to wash suede & keep in good condition products made of suede?
A natural material found in many shoes and bags, it seems delicate because we think it cannot withstand water. But with a little love and waterproofing, it can actually hold up well under all sorts of stresses.
- If you have a bag that is made of both suede and textile, you need to treat the different parts separately.
- Use a small brush to roughen the surface, and a little steam to open up the pores and remove stubborn stains.
- A housewife tip worth trying is to use an eraser to remove stains on shoes, for example.
On Tradera, there is a large selection of products of all the materials mentioned above in everything from clothing, furniture and carpets to home textiles – both in new and used condition. On average, each Swede buys about 13 kg of new clothes and textiles per person per year, with a third of what is bought never being used. Shop for clothes and other textile products at an affordable price for the sake of the environment on Tradera and use the tips and advice above to take care of your newly purchased goods. Want to learn more about how our consumption affects the climate? Read more here!
Amanda Blennborn, freelance journalist
