By Sajida Gordon, Researcher for the Clothing Sustainability Research Group, Nottingham Trent University
For World Economic Forum. https://tinyurl.com/5af6j48f
Photo: The global fashion industry is estimated to generate 92 million tonnes of textile waste each year. Image: Unsplash/Sarah Brown
- Fashion and textile waste can be reduced significantly if we make our clothes last longer.
- Applying the correct care can double the lifespan of a jumper from seven years, on average, to almost 15, one study found.
- Here’s a rundown of 4 key ways to keep your clothes in good condition.
Every garment will wear out after repeated wearing and washing. On average, an item of clothing lasts around five years before being thrown away.
However, disposing of clothing, both used and unworn, usually carries an environmental cost. The global fashion industry is estimated to generate 92 million tonnes of textile waste each year, and the UK alone dumps 350,000 tonnes of clothing into landfill. Textile deterioration in landfill sites releases greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.
Much of this waste could be prevented if we wore our clothes for longer. There is no way to make your clothes last forever, and their durability does to a degree depend on the quality of their fabric and how well they are made. But, if you want your wardrobe to last as long as possible, looking after your clothes properly can make a difference. One study found, for example, that with the correct care, you can double the lifespan of a jumper from seven years, on average, to almost 15.
Clothes come with various care instructions on labels sewn into the garment. These symbols tell you all you need to know about how to wash, dry, bleach and iron your clothes. Understanding them will allow you to clean and care for your clothing correctly.
So, here’s how to decode your clothing care labels.
1. Washing care
The washing care label includes symbols that indicate whether you should machine wash, hand wash or dry clean the garment.