Thanks for the heads-up... The answer, of course, is to buy only clothing that can be repeatedly washed in wonderful organic laundry soap (which actually benefits the septic tank). I patronize my dry cleaner for only two reasons: a yearly cleaning of my winter wool coats and the tiny Korean lady who does my alterations.
Another surprising fact I learned a few years back: the environmental impact of clothing comes primarily from "natural" fiber clothing and from replacing clothing too frequently due to changes in body size and fashion styles! For example, polyester may not be environmentally friendly to make, but once made lasts decades without ever inflicting another environmental impact...it releases stains easily, so even extra laundry products aren't needed. "Natural" fibers incur an ongoing, multi-stage environmental impact due to the fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals used in processing, plus the end product has the shorter usable (non-impact) lifespan and may require extra cleaning chemicals. Some natural fibers, like silk, have toxic effects in every stage of their lifecycle.
To optimize both "greenness" and frugality, buy clothes and accessories carefully for quality and timeless design, maintain them yourself (fastidiously), and keep your size the same so you can build a wardrobe that lasts -- and remains stylish -- for decades...decades with little to no environmental impact. Fully 3/4 of my wardrobe is 'vintage' and nobody can tell because I have stuck consistently with a classic tailored look that takes its cue from menswear...which never changes much.
Keter
Thanks for the heads-up... The answer, of course, is to buy only clothing that can be repeatedly washed in wonderful organic laundry soap (which actually benefits the septic tank). I patronize my dry cleaner for only two reasons: a yearly cleaning of my winter wool coats and the tiny Korean lady who does my alterations.
Another surprising fact I learned a few years back: the environmental impact of clothing comes primarily from "natural" fiber clothing and from replacing clothing too frequently due to changes in body size and fashion styles! For example, polyester may not be environmentally friendly to make, but once made lasts decades without ever inflicting another environmental impact...it releases stains easily, so even extra laundry products aren't needed. "Natural" fibers incur an ongoing, multi-stage environmental impact due to the fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals used in processing, plus the end product has the shorter usable (non-impact) lifespan and may require extra cleaning chemicals. Some natural fibers, like silk, have toxic effects in every stage of their lifecycle.
To optimize both "greenness" and frugality, buy clothes and accessories carefully for quality and timeless design, maintain them yourself (fastidiously), and keep your size the same so you can build a wardrobe that lasts -- and remains stylish -- for decades...decades with little to no environmental impact. Fully 3/4 of my wardrobe is 'vintage' and nobody can tell because I have stuck consistently with a classic tailored look that takes its cue from menswear...which never changes much.
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