Caring For Your Clothes
At Joanie, we know that sustainability comes from the heart, so our mission is a kinder clean. Over a quarter of a garment’s environmental impact happens after you buy it, so by changing the way you care for your clothes, you can save water, energy, and money - good for you and good for the planet!
Here are some of our top tips for reducing the environmental impact of washing and caring for your clothes:
Wash clothes less and always wash a full load.
Washing less maintains the quality of your clothing because washing breaks down the fibres in your garments and uses gallons of precious water.
Wash on a cooler (30°C), gentle cycle to reduce microfibre release and CO2 emissions.
Turn down the temperature to wash cooler, select a shorter cycle to wash quicker and always spin slower when possible. Don't forget to choose an eco-friendly detergent if you can!
Put your washing liquid or pod in before the washing.
This helps it dissolve properly as the water fills up from the bottom. Don’t forget to leave some space in the drum for circulation and agitation!
Step away from the bleach!
If you really need to brighten your whites, choose an eco-friendly, non-chlorine alternative.
Resist the urge to throw it in the dryer.
Clothes last longer when they’re dried on the line because tumble dryers break down the fibres in your clothing and the heat can cause shrinkage and twisting.
Iron less!
Ironing might leave you looking polished, but it’s not great for clothes and it uses a lot of energy. Our top tip - steam instead! If you have to iron, (shirts, linen etc.), use a little water to help the creases steam out more easily.
Get a steamer!
Humidity helps to straighten the fibres in your clothes much more gently than a traditional iron. Try a hand held steamer, or hanging up your clothing in the bathroom while you shower!
Store your clothing carefully.
Never hang T-shirts and knitwear - they will stretch and form holes at the sleeve head. Fold clothes along seams to minimise creasing and breakdown, using as few folds as possible. Store garments with air around them - natural fibres, in particular, need breathing room!
Wash any viscose garments on a gentle cycle at 30°C to avoid shrinkage.
Once you’ve washed them, make sure you reshape the garment while it’s damp, then allow it to dry flat naturally in a well-ventilated area. Once it’s dry, you can iron it on a cool setting to help bring it back into shape if necessary!
Learn some new skills!
Learn how to sew on a button, re-stitch a seam. Accessorise, customise and embellish to give your favourite items a second chance to shine - save them from a life as landfill!
