Sure, stitching a flawless seam is important but taking care of your fabric is just as crucial! Laundry can wreak havoc on fabric over time, causing pigments to fade and fibers to weaken. It can also leave its mark on the health of the environment. Sometimes its the smallest steps that make the biggest difference in terms of helping the environment! With that in mind, we have compiled a list of 8 simple laundry tips that will help you thoroughly clean your fabric without damaging it or the environment. We hope you find these to be helpful!
- WASH WITH COLD WATER
Using cold water instead of hot water is not only much gentler on the fibers of your fabric (hot water is known to fade colours and shrink fibers over time), it also greatly reduces the amount of energy your machine uses! If your clothes are extra dirty, soak them in cold water with a touch of baking soda before you wash to help get out deep-set stains.
2. USE FELTED WOOL DRYER BALLS
Instead of using wasteful, chemical filled dryer sheets, try reusable wool dryer balls! They naturally soften fabric, prevent static and last for ages without having to be tossed. These dryer balls from Wooly Felted Wonders reduce drying cycles by up to 20% and leave your laundry feeling soft, fluffy and fresh! They are incredibly efficient and beneficial for your fabric as well as the planet.
3. LINE DRY WHENEVER POSSIBLE
Similarly to our mention of using cold water instead of hot, line drying is so much better for fabric and saves oodles of energy (and money when you consider you are using your dryer less frequently). Using a tumble dryer, while convenient, can cause fabric to wear out and fade, making it look lack-luster quickly. Save your fabric, the planet and your energy bill by line drying the old fashioned way whenever you can!
4. USE NATURAL LAUNDRY SOLUTIONS & DETERGENTS
We all know that the fewer synthetic solutions we use in our homes, the better. Chemicals from harsh laundry solvents can get into our waterways and cause harm to plant-life and animals. Using eco-friendly brands and natural products help to reduce this damage and they also are gentler on fabric. For example, Eucalan's Delicate Wash not only reduces water usage by at least 50%, it naturally softens fabric and reduces static! Also, the essential oils leave a beautiful fragrance that is all natural and subtle. What's not to love?
5. WASH FULL LOADS AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE
We know this may seem like a no-brainer, but avoid washing only a couple of items at a time. Every time you run the washing machine it uses gallons and gallons of water. While it may be tempting to reduce the amount of items in your hamper by washing more frequently, try to wait until you have a full load before you turn on your machine. It's simple and may seem like common sense but it will save loads of water.
6. USE LEMON, BAKING SODA OR VINEGAR INSTEAD OF BLEACH
While effective, bleach is a very harsh chemical that is harmful to the environment and aggressive on fabric. There is a time and place for regular bleach (the following alternatives do not kill bacteria in the same way), but some of the best whitening agents can be found in your kitchen! Vinegar and lemon juice naturally brighten your white fabrics due their acidity which helps to break down stubborn dirt and grime. Baking soda also works well because of its gentle oxygenating effect. Simply add a 1/2 cup of baking soda to your load or soak your fabric in a basin with baking soda and water for the brightest whites ever.
7. SPOT CLEAN OR HAND WASH FABRIC
If you get a small stain on your fabric, it is often our instinct to throw it in the washing machine. If the whole of the fabric is not dirty, you can save a lot of time and electricity by simply hand washing it or spot-treating the stain. Grandma's Secret Spot Remover is a tried and true favourite and makes fabric look good as new in an instant!
8. SEPARATE YOUR LAUNDRY BY WEIGHT
Most of us sort our laundry by colour, but you should really start sorting it by weight. Why? By grouping heavier and lighter fabrics separately, it allows them to dry evenly and cuts down on the time it to takes to dry delicate items. Not only will this help maintain the quality and appearance of the fabric, but it will help cut down on drying cycles. Win-win!
We hope you enjoyed this post and found these eco-friendly laundry tips to be helpful and interesting. Let's all work together to take care of the environment and our fabric!
Do you have any questions or comments? We would love to hear from you! Chat with us in the comment section or send us a message at sales@njeffersonltd.com.
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