How to make your wardrobe more environmentally friendly

Here are a few easy ways to make your wardrobe more environmentally friendly.

Buy for the long term
The age of throwaway fashion is coming to an end. People are starting to realise the impact that creating a piece of clothing has on the environment. From the various chemicals used, to the plastics that will end up in landfill.

Instead of buying a dozen new items on the cheap, invest in a couple of well-made items. These might be more expensive, but they’ll last longer reducing your carbon footprint. 

Look for natural materials
Synthetic materials can be damaging to the environment. Even if they’re recycled properly, they release micro fibres during the washing process that end up polluting our rivers and waterways.

Wool is a good option, especially wool from Britain as it travels less distance during manufacturing, reducing the carbon footprint. Bamboo is also known for being an environmentally friendly option. Also look out for organic cottons and wools, as they use fewer chemicals in their production.

Environmentally friendly socks? Check out our organic and natural selection here.
   

Wash with care
How you wash your clothes is important. Firstly, you’re probably washing them too often. Not only does over washing reduce their lifespan meaning you’ll need to buy more new clothes, but it also means you’re putting more cleaning chemicals into the environment.

Advice on how to be greener when washing includes… 

• Wash at low temperatures. 30 degrees is fine for non-soiled clothing.
• Use less detergent. You don’t need to follow the recommendations on the box. Even a 10% reduction is an improvement.
• Use concentrate detergent. This is more environmentally friendly than ‘standard’ detergent.
• Get rid of fabric softener.
• Fully load your washing machine.
• Dry on a line rather than using a dryer.