ORAKI x Arbre-Évolution: A Partnership Rooted in Purpose
At ORAKI, we innovate to set a new standard for life in motion, with deep respect for our planet and all living beings. We recognize the impact fashion has on the environment, and it’s what...
6 Simple Ways to Care for Your Clothes So They Last Longer
At ORAKI, each of our pieces are made to last, which means you'll need to care for them over a long, long time! As you may know, the environmental impact of a garment is not limited to its creation. It also concerns its entire life cycle, including its care.
That’s why, we’re sharing our 6 tips to keep your clothes looking their best for longer. Our goal is to inspire you to adopt good habits to help further reduce the ecological footprint clothing can have.
1. Wash less, but wash better.
The golden rule of eco-responsible clothing is simple: only wash your clothes when it’s absolutely necessary. Too many machine washes wear out fabrics faster and waste resources.
Did you know that two small loads of laundry use twice as much water as one large load1? Waiting for your machine load to be full helps reduce water and energy consumption.
We also recommend sorting your clothes by color to avoid color bleeding. For more delicate fabrics, we recommend turning clothes inside out to minimize the risk of damage by abrasion.
2. Use cold water and delicate cycles
It’s important to remember that heat is the enemy of many fibers and colors! Although some fabrics can withstand hot temperatures, washing at low temperatures is recommended to prolong their life. Washing with cold water not only protects your clothes, it also helps you save money by reducing your energy consumption! According to Hydro Québec, 80 to 90% of the energy consumed by a washing machine is used to heat the water in the machine. We recommend washing your laundry in cold water below 30°C whenever possible. Another pro tip: if your washing machine has a water-level setting, adjust it based on the size of your load.
3. Avoid the dryer as much as you can
Air drying is always best to preserve your clothes. Hang your laundry on a clothesline or lay your clothes flat, making sure to avoid direct sunlight. Doing so helps prevent deformation and premature aging.
That said, although the dryer consumes a lot of energy, it’s not always possible to avoid using it, for example due to the weather.
Here are some tips put together by Hydro Québec2 to help you better modulate your energy consumption:
- Use the dryer for larger loads rather than several smaller loads.
- Avoid using too high a temperature. Though higher heat reduces drying time, it uses a lot more energy.
- Once a load is dry, take advantage of the warm machine to start another load and save electricity.
- Aim for a drying cycle between 40 and 60 minutes. Not only do longer cycles use more electricity, they also may cause your clothes to wrinkle and/or shrink.
4. Prioritize natural products and avoid fabric softener
If you're looking for eco-friendly, natural, or biodegradable laundry detergent, there are several options available.
For delicate fabrics, consider replacing industrial fabric softeners with a natural alternative. Using white vinegar in laundry softens fabrics, sets colors, and eliminates stubborn odors. In addition to being a green option for the planet, putting vinegar in your washing machine descales your appliance without leaving any odor on your dry clothes!
Next, to get rid of tough stains like grease, coffee, or wine, you don't have to resort to a chemical stain remover. There are several natural alternatives; baking soda helps remove stains whereas Sommières clay is effective against grease. We also recommend Dawn liquid detergent for more stubborn stains!
Finally, we suggest avoiding laundry capsules, which sometimes do not dissolve completely and may leave soap residue on your clothes.
5. Read labels to protect synthetic fibers
When you buy clothes, they often come with a ton of labels! It’s a good idea not to cut or discard these labels because they contain information (some more relevant than others) that will help you care for your clothes, including their fabric composition and instructions on washing and drying.
The labels might also indicate instructions specific to the type of garment, like jeans or dark pants. At ORAKI, we always recommend washing your jeans or dark-colored pants inside out to limit the white marks (marbling) caused by friction.
6. Adapt your storage method
Good daily storage management reduces the frequency of washing and preserves fibers. It’s important to pay attention to whether clothes should be hung up or stored flat in order to prevent them from losing their shape.
Wool and cashmere clothing, as well as heavy cotton items like some sweaters or fleeces, should be stored flat. These materials tend to lose their shape under their own weight. When hung on a hanger, gravity will stretch the fibers, damage the shoulders, and irreversibly distort the garment’s structure.
On the other hand, delicate garments and more fluid fabrics benefit from being hung on a hanger. The weight of the fiber allows it to relax and helps naturally smooth out the fabric. This greatly facilitates care and prevents creasing.
We believe in happy endings
Proper clothing care is one of the most underestimated actions for circular fashion. In case of tears, snags, or pilling, try using your DIY skills to repair or embellish your clothes before getting rid of them, or maybe call on a seamstress to extend their life. Before throwing any garment away, consider giving it a second life and turning it into a cleaning rag.
Finally, if you no longer like a garment, consider donating or selling it. We also invite you to join ORAKI’s group: Seconde Vie. There you’ll be able to give others the chance to find a piece they will love!
