- Buy fewer clothes - but spend more on quality. Well-made clothes will not only stand the test of time, they will usually have a higher resale for charity shops. It also makes a statement to retailers that you are not in the market for cheap clothes.
- Buy second-hand -Charity shops have borne the brunt of cheap clothing, with sales falling year on year. Buying from them extends the life of clothes and supports this worthy sector.
- Give away clothes - This is particularly relevant for baby clothes which are outgrown very quickly. Or why not try hosting a clothes-swapping party where you invite friends over to exchange clothes.
- Buy fairtrade clothing - Although the Fairtrade Foundation does not currently cover all stages in the production line, investing in Fairtrade cotton clothes will ensure that at least the growers are guaranteed a fair deal.
- Try alternative materials - Hemp, bamboo and soy all make great products.
- Read around the glossies - Fashion mags may tell you all you need to know about what's hot and what's not, but gathering information from other sources such as Labour Behind the Label and No Sweat will give you the fuller picture.
- Wash clothes when dirty - Washing clothes uses a lot of water and energy; underwear might require a wash after every use, but think twice about whether a jumper really needs washing after 2 days.
- Don't iron when unnecessary and never tumble dry - A washing line or clothes horse is perfectly adequate and allows
- Buy organic cotton clothing - There are plenty of companies sourcing organic cotton clothing for their ranges.
- Avoid clothes which need to be dry-cleaned - Most dry-cleaners use a fluid called tetrachloroethylene, which causes long-term pollution if it escapes into the waterways. Many articles whose tags ask for the dry clean treatment can actually be hand-washed, especially sik, wool and linen. As an alternative to conventional dry-cleaning, an increasing number of dry-cleaners are now using Green Earth Cleaning solution, which is made from liquid silicone and is non-toxic. Visit www.greenearthcleaning.com for more information.
How about you take the How Green is you Wardrobe Quiz?
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