Garment Care
Care Guide
Washing your embroidered item inside out will help to protect the front of your embroidery design from any damage during washing! Putting them in a washing bag would be even better!
We recommend washing your items using a cold wash only. Not only will this prevent overall shrinkage in your washing, but it's better for the environment!
(more info in our🌿eco tips below)
We recommend that you do not bleach your items. Bleaching your garment or embroidery may cause leaching by removing the fabric dye, essentially, it'll ruin your items colour... not ideal!
Tumble dryers can (and most likely will) cause damage, puckering and shrinkage in your embroidery! They're also greedy energy goblins. Do NOT feed the goblins!
(more info in our🌿eco tips below)
Care Tips!
Using a microfiber wash bag will help protect your embroidered item from damage. It will also act as a way to catch microplastics! Very slay!
(more info in our🌿eco tips below)
Avoiding harsher items such as zippers, metal studs, chains or clips/buttons in the same laundry load as your garment can greatly reduce the risk of damage to your embroidery!
Directly ironing the top of your embroidery design may cause it to become misshapen. If line drying didn't get out all the wrinkles, we recommend ironing the item inside out, just to be safe!
We recommend drying your item flat to avoid stretching/altering the shape of the embroidery.
But... we're not precious and they'll be perfectly fine on a clothes line too!
A lot of things that are better for the environment are also better for your garment! What a coincidence! We've popped some great tips for a more eco-friendly laundry routine below.
You can thank us later!
After your item has been washed, begin drying it as soon as possible.
Leaving your item soaking wet is a big no no and should be avoided to preserve your piece for as long as possible!
We recommend using a mild detergent when washing your items. Harsh chemicals could damage, alter or even destroy your embroidery... that's a no thank you from us!
(more info in our🌿eco tips below)
Eco Care Tips
Washing our clothes less often is better for our clothes and the environment! Excluding undies and socks, many of us are washing our clothes far more often than we need to!
Excessive washing can lead to the accelerated deterioration of our clothing and a larger carbon foot print on the life cycle of your items. When you combine all of this with the water, energy, time and cost saving... it's kind of win, win, win, win, win... WIN! 🎉
Even Vogue agrees...
Washing your items in cold water is one of the easiest switches to make to your laundry routine!
According to the EPA, 90% of the energy used in washing is spent heating water, and according to teams at Harvard University, for everyday loads, washing your clothes in cold water is as effective as washing them in hot water! 🤯
Most washing machines will have a cold wash button or setting so go press that eco-sexy thing!
Washing your items in cold water is one of the easiest switches to make to your laundry routine!
According to the EPA, 90% of the energy used in washing is spent heating water, and according to teams at Harvard University, for everyday loads, washing your clothes in cold water is as effective as washing them in hot water! 🤯
Most washing machines will have a cold wash button or setting so go press that eco-sexy thing!
Tumble dryers are the greediest energy goblins out there! Not only will they hike up your power bill, they'll also ruin your embroidery and shrink/wear out your clothes!
It has also been reported that a single tumble dryer could be responsible for releasing 120million microplastic fibres into the atmosphere annually.
Hanging your clothes out to dry will not only save you money but the earth will thank you too... that's pretty cool. 🌏
Using a washing bag for your items can greatly reduce the amount of microplastics that end up in our waterways, oceans and marine life! Alongside this, you'll help protect your clothes from damage and prevent the release of millions of microplastics into the oceans. Yes, millions. 🫨
Ensure the build up is emptied into a bin to maintain the bags effectiveness.
While it's not a perfect solution small steps can really add up!
Filling up your machine to it's specified capacity is a great way to reduce wasted water! It also reduces the amount of microplastics in your load (due to the lower water ratio) and you get more laundry done, quicker!
If your machine has the option, you can also specify the size of the load to further reduce water wastage!
Researchers estimate that laundry is responsible for roughly 35% of the microplastics in our oceans. By combining shorter and fuller loads, in cold water, less often and with eco-friendlier detergents, each of us can directly contribute to reducing the footprint of textiles and clothing on our environment.
Plus the fishies will thank you! 🐟
Finding products that are better for the environment is as easy as ever! Keep an eye out for zero-waste brands, shop local/domestic to reduce shipping emissions and if it's all biodegradable, even better!
Detergent sheets are a great way to eliminate the ridiculous turn-over of thick plastic bottles every time you need to re-stock your detergent! 😬
Be sure to find the brand that's right for you! Everyone's needs will be different so don't be scared to make small changes and build up as you go!
We personally use Skipper
(not an ad, they're just really great)
they're carbon neutral, vegan & cruelty free and their packaging is compostable!
Channel your inner Lizzie McGuire and wear that favourite item over and over and over again! Why not, right? It's a great piece!
Trends will always come and go but pieces you love can sometimes be once in a lifetime. Ditching the idea that we always need to wear something new and trendy is liberating! 🎊
Reducing the amount of new clothing we wear can create wonderfully positive changes not only for ourselves but for the environment as well! However, the decision to reduce the amount of clothing you wear is entirely personal to you and we promise we're not here to force you to wear one shirt for the rest of your life!
(unless the shirt is It's Custom or really cool, then we say go for it!)
Shopping second hand can not only be cheaper but it also reduces the need to produce new clothing and further reduces the eco-footprint by extending an items life cycle!
Research also suggests that more microfibres are shed in the first eight washes of an item! By extending the lifespan of clothing by buying second hand (alongside the clothes you already own) you can not only find amazing, one of a kind pieces, but reduce microplastics as well!
There are so many ways to get involved in thrifting, second hand shopping and vintage shopping! Be sure to search for local markets, pop up events and online stores like Depop! 🔎
Hanging up your items as soon as they've finished washing will allow the natural weight of the fabric to reduce and minimise those wrinkles!
Saving time and energy on ironing sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me! It also means I don't have to set up that irritating ironing board... what a bonus! 😂
Comparatively, front-loading washing machines have been found to use up to 7500L less water, annually, than top loading ones!
Less water, less microplastics, less energy usage!
When you combine this with many of our other eco and care tips, all of a sudden your laundry routine is stacking up some big, eco-friendly changes! Who said being eco-friendly couldn't also be fun? 😄
Shorter, colder cycles and less intensive spins have been found to be "significantly better" for your clothes than longer, hotter ones according to researchers from the University of Leeds!
Combining shorter cycles, with less intensive spins and cold water washes, will not only reduce your laundry time, but it will reduce the microfibers from breaking apart (due to time and temperature) making it better for your clothes, better for your wallet and better for the environment! 🌳
We have always been fans of collective learning when it comes to sustainability and making earth-friendlier choices, and have found so many online resources that are helpful and free! We're always learning, adapting and growing the ways in which we care for our planet!
PlanetCare and Blazej Kupec are two such places/people who have published resources that made citing and corroborating a lot of tips we've picked up along the way possible! 💖
Read, Read, Read Again!