At Boob we work actively to review and limit our environmental impact at every level. But did you know that the greatest energy consumption comes from washing your clothes? By thinking about how you wash you can reduce your own environmental impact and your clothes will last longer.
Don´t wash clothes unnecessarily
Simply: don’t wash clothes that are not dirty. Often, airing is enough.
Lower the temperature
At Boob we always label our garments with the maximum permitted washing temperature. But you can select a lower temperature. Washing at 40ºC/104°F uses around half as much energy as washing at 60ºC/140°F. Most detergents wash just as well at lower temperatures. Select a higher temperature if your garments are heavily soiled, but never exceed the maximum permitted temperature.
Fill your washing machine
Sort your clothes by colour and washing temperature. Fill your washing machine, but don’t overload it. A washing machine is full when you can place a clenched fist on top of the washing without compressing the clothes. Most modern washing machines also have an energy saving programme.
Choose an eco-labelled detergent
Use an eco-labelled detergent, free from optical brighteners and phosphates, which are harmful to the environment.
For coloured clothes, use a colour detergent. Follow the dosage instructions on the package. Too much detergent will not make your clothes cleaner, but may leave stains. For the correct dosage, you need to know whether your water is hard or soft. There is no need to use a fabric softener; our garments are naturally soft and comfortable after washing. The fewer chemicals, the better for the environment.
Don’t leave your laundry
Don’t leave your finished laundry in the machine. This can cause colour damage and streaks.
Avoid dry cleaning
Dry cleaning is a process using organic solvents, which can harm the environment. Boob garments do not require dry cleaning, but can all be washed at home in your washing machine.
Let your laundry air-dry
We never recommend tumble drying of our clothes. Partly because it causes unnecessary wear, and partly because it requires a lot of energy. If you use a drying cabinet, remember not to set the temperature higher than the washing temperature. If you use a higher temperature, the clothes may shrink.
The very best alternative, both for the environment and your clothes, is air-drying. Shake out the garment (don’t wring) and hang up to dry. Long garments that should not be hung are labelled with a flat drying symbol. This is because they become heavy when wet and risk being stretched. Avoid drying your clothes in direct sunlight, as this may bleach them.
Iron at the correct temperature
Always iron at the recommended temperature. Heavier sections of the garment risk bleaching if the iron is too hot. For the best result, turn the garment inside-out before ironing.
Treat stains quickly
Should you get a stain on your Boob garment, treat it as quickly as possible. Bile soap can also be effective against fat stains, such as breast milk.