This week on the blog, our Sustainability Champion, Lucy, is giving you her top tips for caring for garments made using synthetic fibres!

Caring For Synthetics: The Basics

Products made with synthetic fibres have different properties from those made from natural fibres. There are several benefits to using synthetic fibres - for example, they often have more stretch, are more waterproof, more stain-resistant, and tend to keep their shape better, which extends the overall life of the garment.

Synthetic fibres also allow us to achieve our super soft knitwear! One of our favourite knitwear compositions contains a blend of LENZING™ ECOVERO™ branded viscose fibres, recycled polyester fibres, and recycled polyamide fibres - it's incredibly soft and comfy, and it's a more conscious alternative to our previous blend!

For all of our products where the main fibre is synthetic, we opt for a certified recycled option. By choosing to use recycled synthetic fibres, we are keeping materials in circulation for longer, contributing towards a circular economy.

Synthetics: Wash Care Tips

1. Only wash the garment when you really need to - the longer you can wait between washes, the better!
2. Check the garment care label for any specific information on how to launder your clothing.
3. Use cold or warm water - hot water can damage synthetic fibres or cause shrinkage!
4. Choose a gentle cycle - this reduces wear and tear on delicate synthetic fabrics.
5. Use mild detergent - avoid harsh chemicals or bleach, which can break down fibres. Choose a natural detergent if you can!
6. Turn garments inside out - this minimises friction and protects the outer surface from damage.

GUPPYFRIEND

We've partnered with GUPPYFRIEND to provide a solution for capturing microplastics with their handy fibre-capturing washing bags. During washing, clothes often lose fibres, and in the case of synthetics, this means tiny plastics are released into our waterways.

The GUPPYFRIEND bag uses high-tech material that reliably filters microplastic fibres out before they have a chance to escape and potentially pollute our water. Alongside this, the GUPPYFRIEND washing bags actually protect your clothes during washing by reducing the amount of fibres that are lost, ultimately helping to extend the life of your favourite pieces! This helps prevent pilling for your knitwear and keeps your clothes looking fresh wash after wash.

How To Use The GUPPYFRIEND

1. Put your clothing made from synthetic fibres (and other delicate garments) in the bag.
2. Wash with your other clothes as normal.
3. Empty the bag after washing.
4. Remove the fibres that remain in the bag. You'll find that there aren't as many fibres in the bag as there might be otherwise, because the bag actually reduces fibre loss!

Tips For Drying And Ironing

1. Air dry your clothing wherever possible - high heat can cause synthetic fabrics to melt or deform, so by air drying your garments, you can help extend their overall life!
2. Avoid tumble drying - this can shrink your clothes and cause them to degrade faster.
3. Dry your garments flat to help keep them in shape for even longer.
4. Avoid ironing your clothing if possible, but if you do need to iron something, use a low setting to protect the fabric as much as possible!
5. Cover the fabric of your clothing with a thin cloth (pillow case works well!) to give extra protection when ironing.

Tips For Storing Your Garments

1. Store your clothing properly - make sure yoy hang or fold pieces neatly to prevent stretching or creasing!
2. The sun can cause the colour to fade and the fibres the break down in your clothing, so avoid leaving your items in the sun for long periods of time if you can!