Society is becoming increasingly aware of environmental issues. Green initiatives are thus being launched exponentially. First it was recycling and now we’re seeing a whole new phenomenon: zero waste. This lifestyle aims to reduce waste and sheds light on fast fashion and its flaws. Considering over 60% of all manufactured clothing ends up being incinerated or brought to the dumps a year after their creation, zero waste advocates are sticking to minimalist and high-quality wardrobes (McKinsey 2016).
The goal is to ensure effective and environmentally friendly clothing care in order to keep clothing in pristine condition for as long as possible.
Clothing care: an ecological solution in and of itself
Did you know that the fashion industry is the second most polluting industry in the world, fast fashion being one of the leading causes? This is because fast fashion encourages constant renewal of cheap articles for customers to follow the latest trends. Clothing is often manufactured in Asia and is designed as such that each piece is only really meant to last a season. Overconsumption causes overexploitation of resources used to manufacture clothing, thus causing environmental damage and encouraging waste. Thankfully, there are different steps you can take to counter the effects of this damaging industry.
A simple change like reviewing our laundry habits can be beneficial to the environment. For instance, it usually isn’t necessary to wash jeans after they’ve been worn once. It’s also a good idea to use green detergents or send your clothing to the green cleaner. Furthermore, concentrated detergents or bulk-bought detergents can reduce the quantity of product and the number of detergent containers you use.
In addition, an alternative trend to Fast Fashion is slowly but surely becoming more popular among customers who are increasingly aware of the impact overconsumption of clothing has on the environment. Thrift stores and clothing exchange groups are becoming more and more popular. They encourage responsible clothing consumption by reusing the clothing that would otherwise be left untouched in a closet.
Common first reflex: Dry cleaning
When one wishes to take good care of their clothing, bringing them to the cleaner seems like a good habit to get into. Dry cleaning is often thought of as a good solution that involves very little water. On the contrary, this type of hydrocarbon-based washing actually uses a lot of water and substances that are toxic to the environment.
Indeed, traditional cleaning franchises clean clothes superficially and use harmful stain removers when they dry clean, which often end up in wastewater. Surprisingly, a green water-based cleaning cycle consumes less water and less energy than dry cleaning. For example, 70 litres of water and 2.4 kWh are used for a complete cycle at an ecological cleaner, while an equivalent dry cleaning cycle requires 275 litres of water to cool the equipment and 15 kWh.
To avoid soaking your clothes in toxic solvents, opt for green cleaners. These cleaning professionals are environmentally friendly and know a lot about ecological cleaning and clothing care!
Ecological solutions
Green cleaning has evolved considerably in recent years; solvent-free solutions have taken over and spread to many cleaners. Aquaperformance uses water and other biodegradable products; this method is an eco-responsible solution that helps preserve your clothes while ensuring thorough cleaning. Water has always been the most effective cleaning agent. It can treat and remove even the most difficult stains, such as wine, blood or coffee, but it also thoroughly cleanses, unlike perchloroethylene used in dry cleaning.
Also, by mixing water with silicone-based solvents, aquaperformance can be used on all types of fibres and fabrics, even those intended for dry cleaning. Whether your clothing is made of wool, fur, cashmere, silk or leather, your entire wardrobe can benefit from it. Finally, check with your green cleaner, as some even collect hangers or agree to use your fabric covers to avoid using plastic bags to protect your clean clothes.
Green cleaning for everyone
At Daoust Ecoefficient Cleaners, we are always on the lookout for development in the ecological cleaning industry. Our mission is to wash your clothes and give them their former appearance. As aquaperformance specialists, we encourage our customers to adopt eco-responsible actions by opting for the right clothing care.