Do you know how to best care for your clothing?

Handle with Care.

Author Elizabeth Cline reminds us that, “well into the twentieth century, clothes were pricey and precious enough that they were mended and cared for and reimagined countless times, and most people had a few outfits that they wore until they wore them out.” 39 Fashion Revolution has also been trying to encourage us to repair and care for our wardrobes because, as they say, “#lovedclotheslast.” Eco-Age challenges us to wear each piece of clothing thirty times – or more. And, in fact, you can prolong the life of your favorite pieces by caring for them carefully. It is a win-win for you and for the planet.

Over one-third of the impact of our clothes comes from how we care for them. 40 Washing and drying incorrectly or excessively can be wasteful in terms of energy and water usage. And we now know from recent studies that the oceans and even our tap water are contaminated with plastic microfibers. In fact, 83 percent of samples worldwide tested positive for microscopic plastic fibers. 41 They say “a fleece jacket may shed as many as 250,000 microfibers per wash, which can release toxins as they break down and poison the food chain once they reach the water.” 42 Who wants that in the water supply?

Here are three suggestions you can take immediately to reduce your clothing’s impact, and see the list of eight simple steps toward more sustainable washing on the opposite page for additional tips. Rule number one: don’t overwash. Rule number two: avoid putting synthetic fibers in the dryer. Lay flat or hang to dry instead. Rule number three: repair, reimagine, reuse, rework.

Sometimes, we collect so many things that we forget what we own in our closets. Maybe items no longer fit, or have gone out of style, or have a small hole. Don’t give up on pieces that can be tailored or mended, especially if they are quality pieces. By doing this, we extend the life of our garments, and “by doubling the useful life of clothing from one year to two years, emissions can reduce over the year by 24%.” 43 Lastly, when you are truly finished with your “loved” clothes, please dispose of them responsibly. Read more about this in the unCover Handbook.