Washing our clothes might not be the most glamorous aspect of fashion, or just of being someone that wears clothes, but it’s a routine that we perform weekly. However, we’re surprisingly bad at it, or rather too good. What if we told you that stopping washing your clothes could be the easiest of the eco-friendly moves?
Yes, the most common error in washing our clothes is that we do it far too often, and usually to aggressively.
On the Internet, you can find everything and its opposite when it comes to information like these. In this article we’ll be attempting to gather the information that seems relevant to preserve not only the planet but also your dignity.
Taking good care of your garments, linens, and towels isn't just a matter of practicality and cleanliness; it significantly extends their lifespan.
The first thing is quite easy, simply wash your clothes less often. We have this habit to just put everything in the laundry basket after 1 or two wears. Although, not everything needs to be washed that often. It might even be counter productive for some fibres that will just deteriorate quicker. As we’ve outlined in another article our washing habits have a great impact on the environment: from chemicals and microplastic released to water and energy use. According to a study, the typical residential washing machine in the United States consumes 155 litres of water per load, while dryers contribute to approximately 6% of a typical home's energy consumption.
The frequency of laundry has been pointed as one of the key factor in the life cycle analysis of a clothing items. How often it is washed will determine its impact on the environment. Except socks and underwear, no other clothing item needs washing that often. Here’s a quick review how often should you wash your most common items:
This is the basis of all washing rules. Obviously, you can adapt to your likes, using your senses (smell that sock!), and you’ll see that this odor check can vary largely depending on the composition of your clothes.
Unsurprisingly, studies have shown that the odour is a big factor in how often we wash our clothes (groundbreaking right!). But it is not so much this “discovery” that is interesting but rather what tends to retain odour more and influence our cleaning habits. Once again, it goes back to the very choice of fibres and materials of the clothes we buy. Natural fibres, such as wool or cotton/linen are a lot more breathable than synthetic fibres that on the contrary tend to build up odours over time, even after laundry. So next time you wonder why you can’t get rid of an unpleasant smell, You might not be the problem: your fibre choice might!
Have you ever tried airing your clothes? That is another possibility for natural fibres. Jeans and sweaters don't necessarily need a wash after a few wears or months spent in a box, but really enjoy a little time outside. That stands particularly for wollen clothes and 100% natural fibres clothes (jeans, t-shirts).
An essential tip to reduce our wash's impact is to opt for low-temperature wash cycles (30°C or less) and reduce spinning speed to preserve fabric integrity and minimize microplastic shedding, especially from synthetic clothes. Most of our cheaply made clothes don’t endure higher temperatures anyways, ending up completely deformed after 3 cycles over 30°C. Contrary to common belief, sheets don't necessarily have to be washed at temperatures exceeding 40°C.
The only time you should consider using a higher temperature is once or twice a year, such as after a particularly dirty batch of clothes (following an outdoor weekend adventure or a rough game day with the kids). During these times, you can wash your clothes at temperatures of up to 60°C, which also helps clean your washing machine.
Long answer?
Using fabric softeners might seem like a simple way to keep clothes feeling soft and smelling fresh, but it comes with a host of drawbacks. Firstly, fabric softeners often contain harmful chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin and exacerbate allergies. These chemicals also leach into the environment, causing pollution in waterways and harming aquatic life. Additionally, fabric softeners can reduce the absorbency of fabrics, making towels less effective at drying and workout clothes less capable of wicking away sweat. Over time, the buildup of softener residue can also lead to decreased breathability and increased risk of bacterial growth in clothing fibres. Opting for alternative methods like using vinegar or dryer balls can help maintain the softness of fabrics without the negative impacts associated with traditional fabric softeners.
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Using a drying machine is very energy-intensive and multiplies the amount of microplastic that is being released in the environment since it induces more friction. Estimates are hard to give but it could cost between 150 to up to 500euros each year in electricity to a household of 4.
Most people see line drying as a better method fairly intuitively. Did you know that a study has been done to explain why dry lining has this very specific fresh smell that all the softener are trying to recreate?
One had to think about it, but their conclusion is that “the material (cotton or similar), the washing (presence of water), and sunlight (UV radiation) are all essential for the generation of the smell.”, reinforcing the idea that cotton and other natural fibres will require less washing and effort to care for as well as to maintain them in good odour conditions.
Although, as we all know, the weather might not always be on our side for that one in Ireland, and certain materials are better off direct sunlight. Additionally, not everyone has access to an outside of their own. Therefore, it can be better to turn to a clothes rack. However, you should try to find a room that isn’t too humid or place it near the radiators (not too close though, stay safe). If you decide to do so, make sure your laundry cycle has a high enough spin phase to start the drying process.
There you go, you are now fully equipped to redefine your washing habits and care for your clothes and keep them longer.
