CARE LABEL PROJECT

Dry Clean Only is put on our most delicate fabrics and garments. While it might get your clothes clean, it's a chemical-heavy process that's both hard on the garment and the environment. Today, one out of three avoid purchasing garments labeled Dry Clean Only because of the hassle. But thanks to recent advancements in washing technology and laundry detergents, it's now possible to use gentler washing cycles, lower temperatures and drying settings to wash some of your Dry Clean Only garments directly in the machine.

Some garments, however, are Dry Clean Only for a reason. They contain details or materials that could change colour or become misshapen if washed at home. Luckily, the chemicals are not your only option; many dry cleaners have started using greener methods such as wet cleaning and carbon dioxide solvents. So, if you have to visit the dry cleaner, make sure to pick one that is environmentally friendly.

This care label is often seen as an enforcing instruction leading people to air drying instead. While it's correct for some garments, a lot of sensitive materials such as outdoor and water repellent materials will last longer if they are tumble dried in the right cycle. With most modern technology you can even dry delicate fabrics like silk and wool. Look for tumble dryers marked with the Woolmark certification which let you dry even your finest wool with confidence.

Many think that hand washing is the gentlest way to clean a delicate garment. This is what we have been taught by our parents and what the care label indicate. But today, with modern machines, this is no longer the case.

Hand washing consumes both time and water, and tends to stress the fibres. When you're washing by hand and rub the garment against itself, you are usually rougher than you think. Instead, choose a gentle cycle with lower washing temperatures on your washer and you'll get the job done without mistreating your garment. In fact, as many as 75% of us hand wash, but only one quarter are satisfied with the result.