Taking care of your clothes is essential if you want them to last longer and maintain their quality for a zero-waste lifestyle. Different types of fabrics require different types of care, so it’s important to know how to take care of each one. Here are some tips on how to take care of various clothing materials to preserve their longevity and promote circular fashion. 

Fabric Care Natural Fabrics
Cotton: Cool, soft, and comfortable. Absorbs and releases perspiration quickly. Wrinkles easily. Durable. Denim: Absorbant like cotton, but heavier and more durable. Breathable. Avoid color fading by turning item inside out before wash. Leather: Requires special care to clean. Let dry naturally and avoid excessive heat. Cover with heavy paper to keep shape after wash. Linen: Hand wash or dry clean only. Use cool or lukewarm water. Iron with fabric still damp. Wrinkles easily. Wool: Varies from scratchy to soft. Does not need cleaning after every wear. Predominantly dry clean only. Silk: Read care guide accurately. Can vary from item to item. Do not use high temp iron settings. Predominantly dry clean only. Velvet: Hand wash or dry clean only. Do not use a dryer. Lay flat to dry. Use a steamer to remove creases.

Cotton

Cotton is a durable fabric, but it can shrink if not washed properly. To avoid this, wash cotton in cold water and avoid high heat when drying. You can also air-dry cotton clothes to prevent shrinkage and use wrinkle-release spray. Iron on low heat if necessary. 

Wool

Wool is a delicate fabric that requires special care. To prevent shrinking or damage, hand wash wool clothes in cold water and use a gentle detergent. Avoid wringing or twisting wool clothes, as this can damage the fibers. Lay flat to dry on a clean towel, flipping a few times to ensure airflow. Iron on low heat if necessary. 

Silk

Silk is a luxurious fabric that requires gentle care. Hand wash silk clothes in cold water with a mild detergent, or have them dry cleaned. Avoid wringing or twisting silk clothes, as this can damage the fibers. Hang to dry or lay flat, and iron on low heat if necessary. A steamer can help reduce small wrinkles and help your silk look flawless. 

Polyester

Polyester is a durable fabric that is easy to care for. Machine wash polyester clothes in warm water with a mild detergent and tumble dry on low heat. Iron on low heat if necessary, or use a steamer. 

Denim

Denim is a sturdy fabric that can withstand heavy wear, but it can fade over time. To preserve the color, wash denim clothes inside out in cold water with a mild detergent. Avoid high heat when drying, and air dry if possible. Iron on medium heat if necessary. And, unless you must, wear jeans x-amount of times before washing to keep them looking their best! 

Leather

Leather is a durable but delicate material that requires special care. Wipe down leather clothes with a damp cloth to remove dirt and debris. Use a leather conditioner to keep the material soft and supple, and store it in a cool, dry place. 

By following these tips, you can keep your clothes looking their best for longer. Remember to always read the care label on your clothes before washing or cleaning them, and if in doubt, consult a professional cleaner. With proper care, your clothes can last for years and continue to look and feel great. And you’ll feel great, too, knowing you’re practicing responsible consumerism! 

Fast vs. Slow Fashion Fast fashion is known for producing mass amounts of cheap clothing. An average cost of a fast fashion t-shirt is around $8. uality suffers under fast fashion because of how quickly it’s rushed to get to consumers. The average uses before the garment is no good is 10 wears. Because you get less wears from fast fashion, in the end, it costs more to buy. To get 50 wears from a fast fashion shirt at $8 per shirt, it will cost $40. Slow fashion takes longer to produce garments and typically uses more ethical practices. An average t-shirt from slow fashion costs around $25 Slow fashion puts considerable effort in making their clothes last longer by using better materials. The average use of a good t-shirt is around 50 wears. One shirt from a slow fashion brand can last years if taken care of properly. So you’re $25 t-shirt will outlast, and ultimately cost less, than purchasing multiple fast fashion shirts. Five $8 fast fashion shirts ($40) = one $25 slow fashion shirt

If you have clothing that is a little too worn to donate, give it to us to recycle! A big initiative we focus on is textile recycling to reduce textile waste. You can visit our Tag Your Bag page to get your bag tag to recycle clothes through us!  

Goodwill Tag Your Bag

When your items have reached the end of their wearability, there may still be more life in them! Do you have clothes and leftover towels, sheets, and rags that aren’t donation-worthy? Luckily, we offer textile recycling to ensure your unnecessary items are being sustainably repurposed! 

Accept the Tag Your Bag Salvage Challenge today and help us reach our goal of collecting 10,000 pounds of worn-out textiles for recycling this April.