The Fashion Industry and Its Impact on the Environment
Fast fashion has made trendy clothing more accessible than ever before. For a cheap price, a jacket that will be out of style next season and will likely only last one winter can be purchased. Unfortunately, cheap fashion comes with a high price tag: the environment.Clothing production and manufacturing have a significant impact on the environment, from carbon dioxide emissions during production to water pollution from dyeing and fabric treatment. The fashion industry is the second-largest polluter in the world, behind only the oil industry.
Tips for Increase the Life of Your Clothes
While donating clothes, reducing purchases, and sustainably disposing of old clothes are important, they don’t do much to help the clothes you already have in your wardrobe. Here are a few tips that will help you take better care of your current wardrobe.
1. Follow the Care Label
It only takes a few seconds to read the care label on your clothing, but it can save you from a disaster in the laundry room. Different materials require different methods of care, so take the time to learn what your garments need.
2. Turn Clothes Inside Out
This protects your clothing from the ravages of the washing machine and keeps it looking newer longer.
3. Use Cold Water for Washing
Washing your clothes in cold water instead of hot water is not only eco-friendly, but also helps protect your clothes from shrinking and fading.
4. Inverted Hanging
You most likely hang your clothes in the closet the way they came off the hanger, but by flipping the directions around, it’ll preserve your clothes much better.
5. Iron on Low Heat
Many of us don’t bother to adjust the heat on our iron before using it, but high heat is the quickest way to ruin clothing. Make sure to adjust the heat on your iron according to the fabric, and avoid ironing embellished or printed areas on the clothing item.
6. Treat Stains Right Away
The sooner you treat a stain, the more likely you are to get the item back to its original condition. Not sure how to treat a certain type of stain? Head to the internet to find a solution.
Conclusion
Taking care of your clothes doesn’t just save money, but also helps to reduce the carbon footprint on the environment. By following the above tips, you’ll be increasing the life of your wardrobe, which will contribute to a more sustainable future.
