Reducing the need for washing
Environmental impact and labor can both be saved by reducing the need for washing. This may be done by:
- Airing clothing after it has been worn, by hanging it up, preferably where there is airflow. This makes a huge improvement in the smell of the clothing (especially noticeable in the case of cigarette odors).
- Choosing clothing that needs less washing. Light colors, especially white and cream, usually require more frequent washing.
- Wearing no-iron shirts (which might be worn 2 or more times between washings, and
- Avoid clothes that need drycleaning, as drycleaning has a negative environmental impact,[verification needed] not to mention the financial cost.
Avoid "wrinkle fast" clothing
"Wrinkle fast" clothing require either:
- ironing and more frequent washing, or
- drycleaning,
both of which mean more effort, expense, and negative environmental impact.
Choose clothes which:
- don't wrinkle easily (test this before you buy, by scrunching up a discreet corner of the cloth, and seeing if it wrinkles); or
- don't show the wrinkles, due to their color or pattern.
- have a "natural look" where slight wrinkling doesn't matter.
Suggested projects
- What is the environmental impact of no-iron fabrics?[expansion needed]