Unlock the secrets of Clothing care labels for sustainable fashion clothing
Did you know that as many as 70% of discarded garments have irreversible damage, such as color fading, stubborn stains or shrinking? This disturbing statistic comes from Fashion Revolution and sheds light on the urgent need to improve our clothing care habits and reduce our fashion footprint. With as many as 11 million garments ending up in Dutch and Belgian landfills every week (source: Oxfam), it is crucial that we learn how to properly care for our clothes.
Deciphering clothing care labels can often feel like deciphering a secret code. We've all stood in front of zo'n label and wondered, "What do these symbols mean?" In this comprehensive guide, we will unravel step-by-step clothing care labels ranging from fabric composition to care instructions. Plus, we've included a handy guide to laundry symbols that you can download and hang up in your laundry room!
Why should you care about clothing care labels?
At OPURO , we believe that any fashionable creation can turn into fast fashion if not properly cared for. Understanding garment care labels and mastering the language of laundry is essential. It allows you to make more sustainable purchasing decisions and ensure that your garments stay in impeccable condition longer.
The composition of the substance matters
Before purchasing a new garment, it is important to take some time to look at the composition of the fabric. In the Netherlands and Belgium, it is mandatory to display the type of materials and their percentages. Choosing the right fabric, one with sustainable quality and produced with ethical methods, contributes to a more sustainable society.
Avoid petroleum-based synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylon, which release microfibers into the ocean with each wash. Instead, choose natural fabrics such as organic cotton, bamboo linen, hemp, linen, silk and wool. Lyocell, derived from natural cellulose from wood pulp, also scores well in terms of sustainability.
Look out for labels with environmental certifications such as Fair Trade, or OEKO-TEX Standard 100 to ensure that your purchase meets ethical and sustainable requirements throughout the production process.
Knowledge of Provenance
Knowing where a garment was produced provides insight into its environmental impact. Consumers are increasingly demanding transparency about the ethical aspects of clothing production.
While it is common knowledge that large companies often outsource production to cut costs, worker exploitation occurs worldwide. To store sustainably, do thorough research and look for official and independent certifications such as Fair Trade. These actions, combined with resources such as Fashion Revolution's work, can help you make informed choices.
Care Instructions Distinguished
Care instructions on clothing labels should not be overlooked. They are essential both before purchasing an item and when washing it for the first time. Can it be safely machine washed at 30 degrees, or does it require specialist, professional cleaning?
Understanding the aftercare a garment requires affects how often you will wear it in the future. Carefully follow the care instructions on the label to extend the life of your clothing. For your convenience, we have prepared a downloadable laundry symbol guide that you can print out and keep in your laundry room.
Deciphering Wasy symbols
Washing: A bucket symbol indicates that the garment is machine washable. The number of degrees indicates the recommended wash temperature. Dashes below the bucket symbol indicate special wash cycles.
Bleaching: A triangle symbol represents bleaching. A crossed-out triangle means no bleach, while diagonal lines within the triangle refer to the type of bleach to use.
Drying: A square symbol indicates drying. A square with a circle inside it indicates that the garment is safe to tumble dry, with the number of dots indicating the temperature. Lines within the square refer to alternative drying methods.
Ironing: The iron symbol with dots in it indicates the recommended ironing temperature: 1 dot for low, 2 dots for medium and 3 dots for high. No dots means you can iron at any temperature. A crossed-out triangle advises against ironing.
Professional Cleaning: A circle symbol represents professional dry cleaning, mn dry cleaning. A letter within the circle indicates the solvent to be used and the processes to be followed by the aftercare specialist. A crossed-out circle means the garment should not be dry-cleaned.
We hope this short guide has helped you decipher clothing care labels and make confusion a thing of the past. Get started and manage your laundry like a professional, and welcome a more sustainable wardrobe into your life!