We know that keeping our clothes in circulation for longer is the best way to lessen their environmental impact. But overwashing – or over-enthusiastic washing – is one of the quickest routes to the rag bag, leading to shrinkage, fading, weakened fibres, unravelling hems and all manner of other sartorial sob stories.
Your clothes deserve better. So before you bung another mixed load on at 40C, let’s have a quick refresher course.
Think on the spot
If we’re dealing with a localised spillage (I like to think of them as “lunch souvenirs”), there’s rarely any need to wash the whole garment. In fact, letting it languish in the bottom of the laundry basket means that the stain is more likely to set in for good. Instead, treat it with a spot wash, dabbing with a wet sponge or a spare toothbrush and a little detergent, stain remover or washing-up liquid. Speed is key – the faster you act, the better your chance of success. You can finish your tacos later.
Lighten the load
While it’s true that putting on a full cycle for one dress and a solitary pair of pants is a waste of water and energy, overstuffing the drum doesn’t do your clothes any favours at all. Without room to swish around, they’re more likely to come out of the wash still looking grubby. Instead, always aim for the drum to be at about three-quarters capacity, so that there’s space for the water and detergent to do their job. Think of it like a good party – full, but with room for everyone to circulate.
Master your measures
We’re all guilty of dumping too much liquid in the drawer, hoping it will make our clothes “extra-clean” – but laundry is a science, not an art. Overdoing the detergent can leave a filmy residue on your clothes, trapping dirt particles and giving them a stiff feel and a dingy appearance that might lead to further, unnecessary, washes. So when you do need to put the machine on, stick to the dosage on the box or bottle and don’t be tempted to free-pour or double dose.
Catch the breeze
Tumble dryers are the villains of this tale, and not just because they’re so energy-intensive (drying contributes to nearly three-quarters of the carbon footprint of a typical 40C wash). They’re also punishing on your clothes, as anyone who has ever wept over a Sylvanian-sized sweater can attest.
That rough and tumble motion can cause colours to fade and fabrics to shrink, bobble or even tear. So whenever possible, it’s better to use Mother Nature’s spin cycle and hang them outside – especially if you’re only washing your clothes to “freshen them up”, in which case you could skip the wash altogether. You’d be surprised; a few hours in a breeze can be all it takes to get rid of the lingering memory of last night’s fried onions.
And if you don’t have the luxury of outside space, or for those in-between days when it’s raining but too warm to put the heating on, a heated drying rack might be a worthwhile investment. They can use less energy than a tumble dryer and won’t ravage your favourite knitwear.
Salute the sun
We all know better than to lie out in the midday sun, but your favourite shirt has a free pass. UV light can be a secret weapon in the fight against yellowing collars and underarms, because it breaks down the molecular structure of stains and provides a natural bleaching effect – so keep dark and bright colours in the shade, but let your lights and whites soak up those rays.
Full steam ahead
You will meet few modern evangelists more zealous than those who have recently switched from ironing to steaming. And for those of us who can’t quite break up with our floordrobe, it’s also a great alternative to washing (just ask every charity shop in the land). As well as smoothing out creases, steam will sterilise and banish smells from clothes that have played hard – whether that’s using an actual steamer, or just hanging it in the bathroom while you shower. Don’t be shy.
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