Care Hub
When we treat our clothes with care, they last longer, which means fewer trips to the shop, less waste, and a reduced carbon footprint. Small changes in your routine can lead to major benefits for both your wallet and the planet.
This year, Oxfam Ireland is launching the Care Hub, a platform designed to share easy hacks for keeping your clothes looking good for longer.
We've teamed up with Shannen Healy (@_greengal) to bring you the top tips and help you care for your clothes.
Let's explore how caring for your clothes can be simple, effective, and Earth-friendly!
Tips to make your clothes last longer
Tip 1: Wash Smarter, Not Harder
Washing machines are essential, but how we use them matters. Here are some smart tips:
- Wash on Cold: Washing clothes in cold water helps prevent fabric breakdown and keeps colours from fading. It’s also energy-efficient, saving both electricity and money. According to SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland), using cold water for laundry can significantly reduce energy consumption, as heating water accounts for a large share of a household’s energy use.
- Choose Earth-Friendly Detergents: Conventional laundry detergents often contain harsh chemicals that can be tough on fabrics and the environment. Opt for biodegradable, plant-based detergents that are gentle on your clothes and Irish waterways.
- When possible, use Washing Bags: Microplastics released from synthetic fabrics during washing are a major contributor to water pollution. Washing bags are designed to catch these microfibers, preventing them from flowing into our rivers and oceans. This simple tool can make a huge difference in reducing microplastic pollution and protecting marine life.
Action Step:
Next time you do laundry, select the cold wash setting, try an earth-friendly detergent available and use a washing bag to keep microplastics out of Irish waterways
Tip 2: Say No to Overwashing
Overwashing not only wears out your clothes but also consumes more water and energy. Not every item needs to be washed after just one wear. Jeans, sweaters, and jackets can often be worn multiple times before needing a wash.
How to Decide?
- Sniff Test: If it doesn’t smell, it probably doesn’t need washing.
- Spot Cleaning: Use a damp cloth or a small amount of laundry detergent to clean stains without washing the entire garment.
Action Step:
Create a “wear-more, wash-less” routine for items that don’t require frequent washing. Keep track by organising a dedicated space in your wardrobe for clothes that can be worn again. And if you have the chair—that spot where clothes go when they’re not quite dirty but not quite clean— consider giving it a break by incorporating those items into your new system
- Silk - Silk is delicate and should be washed as little as possible. Steam it to remove odours and wrinkles, and if necessary, hand wash with a silk-friendly detergent.
- Wool - Wool should be washed on a wool or hand-wash cycle at a maximum of 30°C. Use wool detergent and avoid excessive washing to maintain its softness and shape.
- Viscose - Viscose is prone to shrinking and losing shape. Always wash it on a delicate cycle at a cold temperature, never exceeding 40°C.
- Denim - Denim is durable but doesn't need frequent washing. Airing out or steaming jeans can refresh them between washes. When laundering, wash inside out at a lower temperature to prevent fading.
Tip 3: Master the Art of Air-Drying
Ditching the dryer is one of the best things you can do for your clothes and the environment. Tumble dryers can be harsh, leading to shrinkage and damage over time. Air -drying, on the other hand, preserves fabric integrity and helps garments maintain their shape.
Pro Tip: Invest in a foldable drying rack or use hangers to air -dry your clothes indoors, especially considering Ireland’s often unpredictable weather.
Not only does this reduce energy consumption, but it also minimises wear and tear.
Action Step:
Start by air-drying delicate items like blouses, lingerie, and athletic wear. Expand this habit to include heavier garments once you get used to it.
Tip 4: Repair, Refresh, Don’t Replace
Learning basic mending skills can save clothes that might otherwise end up in the bin. Whether it’s sewing a button or patching a hole, a little repair work goes a long way in extending the life of your wardrobe.
Simple Repairs to Master:
- Sewing on a Button: Quick and simple, yet prevents having to toss a shirt for a minor issue.
- Fixing Small Tears: Use fabric glue or learn basic stitching to mend seams.
Note: Repairs don't always need to blend in, they can also be a great way to add some new life to your clothes, adding a touch of colour or texture.
Action Step:
Make a mini repair kit with essential items like needles, thread, and spare buttons. Keep it handy for when clothing needs a quick fix.
Shannen's Bonus tip: Refresh your wool by shaving it. It's easy and you're favorite jumper will soon look like new.
Tip 5: Store Smart
How you store your clothes is just as important as how you wash them. Proper storage helps maintain fabric quality and prevents damage from mould or pests.
Best Practices:
- Fold Heavy Items: Sweaters and knits should be folded to avoid stretching.
- Use Cedar Blocks: They’re a natural way to repel moths and keep your clothes smelling fresh, especially useful in Ireland’s damp climate.
- Avoid Wire Hangers: Opt for padded or wooden hangers to better support your garments.
Action Step:
Refresh your wardrobe by swapping out old wire hangers for sustainable options, like bamboo or recycled plastic.
Decoding the Labels
Understanding the meaning of clothing labels and how to take better care of your clothes based on them. Clothes manufacturers tend to give good cleaning advice. So, even if you suspect they’re being over cautious, it’s best to follow what they say.
Bleaching symbols
- A triangle means you can safely use a cold, dilute solution of bleach
- If the triangle has two stripes, only a non-chlorine, colour-safe bleach should be used
- If the triangle has a cross over it, the item can’t be bleache
Dry cleaning symbols
Some clothes can – or must – be dry cleaned.
- A circle means the garment is suitable for dry cleaning
- If the circle has a cross over it, the item shouldn’t be dry cleaned
- If there’s a letter inside the circle, it tells the dry cleaner which chemical wash and method to use
- A line on the bottom left of the circle means short cycle
- A line to the bottom right is for low heat
Dry cleaning symbols
Some clothes can – or must – be dry cleaned.
- A circle means the garment is suitable for dry cleaning
- If the circle has a cross over it, the item shouldn’t be dry cleaned
- If there’s a letter inside the circle, it tells the dry cleaner which chemical wash and method to use
- A line on the bottom left of the circle means short cycle
- A line to the bottom right is for low heat
Handwash symbol
If the tub icon contains a hand, wash the item by hand at 40°C or lower
Many washing machines have a handwash program. This is for delicate garments such as cashmere or silk, and cleans more gently than the normal setting to prevent clothes snagging or shrinkng.
Read our guide to using different washing machine programs at cooler temperatures to learn more about your options.
Synthetics and cottons washing symbols
The bars underneath the tub icon refer to rinsing and spinning. Such items shouldn’t be wrung by hand.
- If there are no bars, the garment can be spun and rinsed as normal
- One bar indicates that the spin speed should be reduced
- Two bars means the clothes need a mild wash action, but can be spun and rinsed normally
- If there's a cross through the tub, that item shouldn't be washed and will probably need to be dry cleaned
Synthetics and cottons washing symbols
The bars underneath the tub icon refer to rinsing and spinning. Such items shouldn’t be wrung by hand.
- If there are no bars, the garment can be spun and rinsed as normal
- One bar indicates that the spin speed should be reduced
- Two bars means the clothes need a mild wash action, but can be spun and rinsed normally
- If there's a cross through the tub, that item shouldn't be washed and will probably need to be dry cleaned
Washing temperatures symbols
If your clothes are machine washable, then you'll see this tub icon on the label. The number within the tub icon shows the maximum temperature that an item of clothing can be washed. This can range from 30°C to 95°C.
Many claim that washing at 30°C instead of 40°C is the key to saving money and energy. For this reason, you might opt for a lower temperature for the label guide.
But while it may conserve energy and save on running costs, 30°C doesn't always remove tougher stains such as oil and grease. Most stains will be shifted at 40°C and increasing the temperature will eat up more energy.
Wringing symbols
Wringing out your clothes is possibly the most common mistake made during hand washing or drying clothes without a dryer. Twisting the fabric by hand can seriously damage your favourite item of clothing.
If you're not sure, look for the symbols above on your clothing label:
- Symbol on the left means you can wring out your clothes
- Symbol on the right with a cross through it means don't do
Wringing symbols
Wringing out your clothes is possibly the most common mistake made during hand washing or drying clothes without a dryer. Twisting the fabric by hand can seriously damage your favourite item of clothing.
If you're not sure, look for the symbols above on your clothing label:
- Symbol on the left means you can wring out your clothes
- Symbol on the right with a cross through it means don't do
Air Drying symbols
Drying your clothes can be where it all goes wrong and you either end up stretching your favourite wool jumper or shrinking your best top. In contrast to tumble drying, natural drying symbols can be harder to interpret.
Here's what they actually mean:
- If the square has one drooping line, this means you can hang your clothes to dry on a washing line outside
- If the square has three vertical lines in it, you can drip dry your clothes on a rack indoors
- If the square has one horizontal line, you should dry the garment flat to keep its shape
Tumble drying symbols
First, avoid if you can. As mentioned in our tips, air drying is the best for your clothes.
Now if you must, here is how to decrypt the tumble drying symbols.
- A circle inside a square means you can tumble dry the garment
- The dots indicate temperature – one for low heat, two for slightly higher heat, and three for high heat
- A cross over the symbol means you shouldn’t tumble dry the garment
Some clothes may appear similar, but have different labels – they’re most likely made from different fibres or blends. Some fibres or blends can change size or become ‘furred’ by tumble drying.
Tumble drying symbols
First, avoid if you can. As mentioned in our tips, air drying is the best for your clothes.
Now if you must, here is how to decrypt the tumble drying symbols.
- A circle inside a square means you can tumble dry the garment
- The dots indicate temperature – one for low heat, two for slightly higher heat, and three for high heat
- A cross over the symbol means you shouldn’t tumble dry the garment
Some clothes may appear similar, but have different labels – they’re most likely made from different fibres or blends. Some fibres or blends can change size or become ‘furred’ by tumble drying.
The Care Hub was created as part of our work with CISUTAC and Co-Founded by the European Union. Thanks to Shannen Healy (@_greengal) for the tips and content.
