Sustainability in fashion starts at home. Investing in pieces we love is just the first step \u2013 the second and equally important step is taking care of them properly. With the right steps, our clothes can last a lifetime, retain their shape and color, and \u2013 why not \u2013 be worn from generation to generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Wash less \u2013 and smarter<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We don\u2019t need to wash every item of clothing after just one wash. Some items, such as jeans, sweaters or jackets, can be worn several times before the next wash, as long as they are free of stains or strong odors. Excessive washing damages fabrics, fades colors and wastes energy and water unnecessarily. Wherever possible, we choose short and eco-friendly washing programs with cold water and low spin speed. At the same time, we air our clothes well after each use and clean stains locally, to maintain cleanliness without damaging the fabric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. We use mild detergents<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Classic commercial detergents may clean effectively, but they often damage our clothes: they wear down fibers, fade colors and leave residues that come into contact with the skin. So we choose mild, natural or biodegradable detergents, ideally without strong fragrances or chlorine. They are friendly to the environment, but also much kinder to our fabrics and skin \u2013 especially if we have sensitivities or allergies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. We turn clothes inside out before washing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A simple move that makes a huge difference: when we turn clothes inside out before putting them in the washing machine, we protect their outer surface from friction and wear. This way, prints, colors and details (buttons, embroidery, appliqu\u00e9s) remain unchanged for more washes. It is also ideal for black and dark-colored clothes, which often fade faster when rubbed directly in the drum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. We avoid the dryer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The dryer may save us time, but it costs us a lot in the life of our clothes. Intense heat destroys fibers, causes shrinkage, damages elastic materials and fades colors. Where possible, let clothes dry naturally. Spread them in a shady and well-ventilated place \u2013 especially colored and delicate fabrics, which should not be exposed to the sun. Natural drying preserves the shape, texture and smell of our clothes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Store correctly<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Storage is just as important as washing. Make sure to use quality hangers \u2013 preferably wooden or padded \u2013 so that clothes do not deform under gravity. Do not overstuff the wardrobe; clothes need \u201croom to breathe\u201d. Fold knitwear and woolen items instead of hanging them, so that they retain their shape. Even if we are going to wear them again soon, it is important to rest them so that their fibers can recover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. Iron sparingly and at a low temperature<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Excessive ironing \u2013 especially at high temperatures \u2013 strains fabrics, makes them shiny or even burns them. Where possible, use a steam iron or steam cleaner. Steam not only protects delicate materials (such as silk or chiffon), but also helps in disinfection, removing unpleasant odors and bacteria. Also, with vertical ironing, we avoid direct contact with the fabric, keeping its texture more \u201calive\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. Hand-wash delicate items<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Delicate fabrics such as silk, cashmere, wool, as well as items with lace, sequins or handmade details, require more careful treatment. Hand-wash with cold water and mild detergent, without rubbing or wringing. Let the garment soak for a few minutes and rinse it gently. Then, gently wrap it in a towel to absorb moisture, and lay it flat to dry \u2013 and not on a hanger, as it can deform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are not sure, trust a good dry cleaner with experience in delicate fabrics. This way, you can maintain their texture, shape and shine unchanged over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 8. Repair before discarding<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The true relationship with our clothes is also built through caring for them when they are \u201cinjured.\u201d A broken seam, a missing button, or a torn hem doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that the garment has to be retired. We seek out and make good friends with a skilled tailor and an experienced seamstress, who will repair major damage to our clothes \u2013 and we learn the basics of mending, such as sewing buttons, patching, or reinforcing seams. A small sewing kit at home can save us many times \u2013 and save our clothes too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 9. Store seasonal items properly<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Clothes that we don\u2019t wear for months deserve safe and clean storage. We make sure they are washed and completely dry before storing them. We choose cotton or fabric bags instead of plastic ones \u2013 and add natural repellents, such as lavender or cedarwood, to keep moths away. Vacuum packing is ideal for saving space, but always fold carefully to avoid permanent wrinkles. We store seasonal items in a cool, dry place, away from moisture and light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 10. We create a relationship with our clothes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The more we take care of a garment, the more we appreciate it. And we appreciate it more when we have purchased it wisely and carefully and not simply because we found it at a price-offer that does not reflect both the cost of production and its material. We are careful to avoid, as much as possible, mixed (synthetic with natural) fibers as they not only reduce the quality of a garment, but are also extremely harmful to the environment when discarded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Slow fashion is not a trend \u2013 it is a lifestyle. Our daily relationship with clothing changes when we do not treat clothes as consumables, but as objects that absorb us into our lives \u2013 connected to memories, style and character. And it starts with choice, goes through care and ends with respect. Because a garment that lasts always tells a beautiful story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sustainability in fashion starts at home. Investing in pieces we love is just the first step \u2013 the second and equally important step is…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":25467,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2993,2998],"tags":[7207,7208,3052,7206],"class_list":["post-25466","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-life","category-style","tag-clothing-care","tag-silk-clothes-care","tag-style","tag-washing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.liberalglobe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25466","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.liberalglobe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.liberalglobe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.liberalglobe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.liberalglobe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=25466"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.liberalglobe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25466\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25515,"href":"https:\/\/www.liberalglobe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25466\/revisions\/25515"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.liberalglobe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/25467"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.liberalglobe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=25466"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.liberalglobe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=25466"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.liberalglobe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=25466"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
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