Photo: Thing Three / Flickr

Good news: being environmentally conscious about all your garments will save you money. No, this does not mean donating your wardrobe to a thrift shop or conserving your washing powder by wearing your work-wear for a week or two! It is all about taking care of your clothing by following easy ways to protect your kid’s school clothes from wear-and-tear, wearing your fashionable apron to lessening your laundry load. These few good habits will get you more wear out of those old favourites and place you another step closer towards a green lifestyle.

Save those pennies

One easy way which is often overlooked when it comes to extending the life of your clothing, is to simply follow the wash care instructions. Make sure that you know how to read the symbols so as to avoid that ‘Eek!’ moment where your much-loved garment is now a few sizes too tight! Take care with more delicate items that read ‘hand wash’ and ‘do not wring’.

Let nature take its course

Yes, dryers are convenient, but they are also consume electricity and they wear down the items. Rather peg your washing outside and on the colder days, place them on hangers indoors, in a central spot that is airy. Allowing it to dry naturally will also minimise shrinkage and weakening of the fabrics. Give your clothes another thought before throwing them into the washing machine. It all adds up – it not only increases the lifespan, but also saves you time and money, with the added reward of reducing your carbon footprint.

Bring the apron back

Think of your apron as your protective gear when working in the kitchen. Go for the glossy finish as it is easier to clean. It will save you time in working out how to remove those stubborn stains. When it comes to splatters and dreaded spills, attend to it immediately to avoid stains that could later be set in the fibre of the fabric.

Playsuits are fun

Let kids be kids in appropriate play-wear. Teach this habit from an early age, so when they return from school, they immediately have a change of clothes. This helps in lengthening the life of their school clothes with less hard work.

Tailoring the old and in with the new

Have fun converting your old denim jeans into shorts or an oversized shirt into a skirt, by experimenting with designs. Buy a sewing guide from a charity book store and think of novel ways to re-invent your own wardrobe. Transforming your existing garment into something new will breathe new life into it without spending lots of money. Who knows, that garment might be the next sought-after vintage piece!

These simple steps prevent you from having to remove grimy marks on your child’s school clothes to sewing on a missing button – all part of an afternoon of fun. It takes the fuss out of laundry chores and also allows you to awaken the fashion designer in you.

Tags: clothes, fashion