Clothing aftercare is central when discussing shifting to a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. We believe in high quality and long lasting products, in fact, the first step into sustainable fashion should be to choose items that have conscious attributes, such as organic materials, recycled components or fibers that are certified to meet certain environmental and ethical standards. But how we care for an item after purchase is just as important to make sure that what we have in our closet lasts a long time. That is why we decided to offer this brief section to our clients, to empower them by sharing how to maintain their clothes as new and to have a curated wardrobe to cherish in their own house.
The golden rule of denim aftercare is to wash less. Approximately every ten times you wear it. As it doesn’t only reduce energy use and water intake, but also maintains the shape and feel of the denim for longer.
Did you stain your jeans with coffee? Try spot-cleaning instead; take a damp sponge or a towel, with a little amount of soap to treat the area.
TIPS
Turn your jeans inside out before putting them in the washing machine to avoid color fading.
Air-drying your jeans out in the sun, by avoiding the machine drying, reduces CO2 emissions and the risk of deteriorating and shrinking your denim.
After washing, to maintain the shape, fold your jeans by rolling them up from the hem and gently squeeze to remove excess moisture.
LVRSustainable Denim
To make sure that your favorite bikinis lasts many summers, you want to make sure to do a quick hand wash after each use with cold water, to remove all the salt and sand. Remove extra water with a towel and hand dry them but not directly under the sun, which can cause the color to fade away. To choose a more sustainable option when it comes to swimwear, look for bikinis with a recycled component or certification such as Global Recycled Standard or ECONYL.
TIPS
Be mindful of sunscreens and tanning oils as they can cause stains and discoloration that are difficult to remove.
If your bikini strap is broken, get a needle and thread, for a conscious DIY (do-it-yourself) fix that is as unique as you.
After you have gone for a swim, rinse and lay your swimwear flat to air dry so that they maintain their shape.
LVRSustainable Swimwear
Aftercare for silk is not only suggested, it is necessary. To make sure that the fabric stays soft and shiny for years and years, it is recommended to hand-wash it with fresh water and a few drops of detergent for delicates. Let the garment soak, then lay it flat to avoid wrinkling and use a towel to remove excess water. However, the most important part is ironing, where you should use a cool setting to avoid damaging the fabric and add a towel between the iron and the garment.
TIPS
When traveling, store your silk products in a suit bag to avoid damage from abrasion.
Avoid spot-treating at all costs, due to the fragility of the material, it is best to hand-wash the entire piece.
Dry your silk garments on a hanger, since pegs could permanently misshape the fabric.
LVRSustainable Silk
Certified organic cotton is a better option for our body, as no pesticides or toxic chemicals were used to manufacture the fabric, making it better for the planet and gentler on the skin. To make sure that the look of the fabric is maintained, you should wash the items at a low temperature to risk less shrinkage and use less energy. Lastly, hang dry the items to maintain the softness of the clothing.
When searching for organic cotton items make sure to look for certifications like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) or Organic Content Standard (OCS) which have strict requirements for social and ecological standards.
TIPS
Store your favorite organic cotton t-shirts out of direct sunlight to avoid and prevent discolorations.
Make sure you reshape the product after washing while it is still damp to maintain the shape and feel.
Do not leave wet items in the washing machine, this will help to keep the organic cotton soft as when it was new.
LVRSustainable Organic Cotton
In any case, it is important to always read the label on all of our garments, in order to follow the correct instructions to preserve the quality and durability, as it may happen that certain items need special care or specific instructions.
To have a wardrobe with quality items that will stand the test of time, it is necessary to choose products that are made to last and treat them properly after purchase. Taking care of your clothing is an act of love towards our planet and to ourselves, where we choose to cherish our belongings for longer.
About LVRSustainable
LVRSustainable is the section of LUISAVIAROMA dedicated to offering a curated selection of the best conscious brands and items, as well as special collaborations with renowned non-profits, organizations, and brands to benefit social and environmental causes.
