So, you’re on the green team and you’ve successfully “greened” your wardrobe. Now you want to know exactly what to do to make sure your wardrobe is kept in tip-top condition. Since the care and washing methods for the various organic fabrics you have are less than common knowledge, we take a look at how to care for the three most popular sustainable and organic fabrics: organic cotton, organic silk, and organic hemp.

Organic Cotton

Organic cotton crops differ from regular cotton crops in that they lack agrochemicals and adhere to strict regulation in its production. Unbleached organic cottons can vary in colour, however the fabric will not bleed like dyed yarn does and absorbs moisture very well. So, how do you ensure that that your organic cotton fabric is kept in brilliant shape?

· For the very first wash, DO add a quarter cup of vinegar to set any dyed colours and avoid fading.

· DON’T use heavy-duty detergents.

· DO wash garment turned inside out (particularly for printed organic cotton fabrics)

· DON’T use bleach that causes colours to bleed and weakens fibre strength.

· DO be careful when using a clothes dryer, as the heat emitted from it can cause the fabric to shrink up to 10%. So if you absolutely must, set the temperature to low.

· DON’T use detergents that contain phosphates – this very common in popular brands. Phosphates will cling to organic cotton threads, which in turn, can irritate the skin and the respiratory system. And of course, phosphates in discarded water contribute to pollution. Read the contents carefully and choose detergents that are phosphate free.

· DO use cold water to wash, although it is safe to wash at temperatures up to 60 degrees centigrade.

Organic Silk

So what makes organic silk different from regular silk? The way in which it is produced – no chemicals such as pesticides, insecticides and synthetic fertilizers are used for raw biodegradable silk, and the silkworms are allowed to live the full extent of their lives and die a natural death.

Among its many benefits, pure silk is stronger than steel in terms of fibre strength and can take dyes well. It blends with almost every other fibre, like animal fibre (which may cause it to lose its shine), blended yarns (which increases its elasticity), and cotton to name a few. To maximize this fabric’s potential:

· DO read the label carefully to see how to wash your garment.

· DON’T allow it to be sprayed by perfumes and hairsprays.

· DO hand-wash items individually and do so gently.

· DON’T use bleach or pre-soak products or use products with enzymes and brighteners.

· DO wash in cool water with mild soap that is specifically designed for silk.

· DON’T soak it, wring it, or twist it.

· DO rinse it in cool water mixed with roughly one bottle-cap’s worth of vinegar or lemon juice.

· DO spread the garment on a towel and gently roll it to rid it of unwanted extra moisture.

· DON’T air-dry it with exposure to direct sunlight. Instead, hang it on a hanger in the shade until it is somewhere between damp and dry – then iron.

· DO set your iron to warm and press it internally and externally. With a steam iron DO set it to low, as water spots will be visible if any water does spurt out of the iron.

· DON’T fret if your fabric has shrunk, as this can be fixed by ironing.

· DO be aware that among its disadvantages, organic silk wrinkles easily, shows water spots, tends to yellow or fade, and is sensitive to sweat.

Organic Hemp

Among all the organic fabrics, hemp is probably the easiest to care for and requires the least work. Hemp fibres are extremely strong, versatile and durable, naturally blocking UV rays emitted from the sun. Here are some useful facts for hemp-clothing care:

· DO wash your hemp fabric regularly as the more you wash it, the softer it becomes.

· DON’T worry about extreme water temperatures as hemp fabric can handle this well.

· DO put it in the dryer if you want, as the fabric is pre-shrunk. To reduce energy consumption, however, you can leave it to hang somewhere as it dries very quickly on its own.

· DON’T deviate from label instructions.

· DO put it in cold water for best results.

Well, there you have it. The DO’s and DON’T’s of caring for the three most widespread and sustainable fabrics that serve as green alternatives to other chemically-treated and environmentally detrimental fabrics. Reduce your impact on the environment by taking good care of your organics—lest you neglect them, they break, and you are forced to purchase new ones.

Are there any other fabrics that you would like to know more about how to care for them? Let us know!

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More information about this topic in our Laundry section

Written by: Christabelle Tani

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