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Minimalism is the order of the day when it comes to washing laundry: sometimes less is more. Washing laundry consumes energy, and the use of detergents pollutes our sewage treatment plants and watercourses. So the next time you wash your clothes, ask yourself: does the item really have to be washed? With a few simple tricks, you can not only protect the environment, but also save money and do something for your CO2 balance.
Small stains can often be removed from the material by hand and you are good-to-go again. With a little washing-up liquid and water you can get rid of most stains quickly.
In your clothes hang light odours from wearing? Or you had them in your suitcase for some time? Then hang the laundry outside on a hanger or on a leash overnight. Fresh air and the night-time humidity help to ensure that your clothes smell fresh again the next morning and are even crease-free.
Small stains can often be removed from the material by hand and you are good-to-go again. With a little washing-up liquid and water you can get rid of most stains quickly.
Lowering the washing temperature is expressly permitted! Save half the energy if you wash at 30 °C instead of 60 °C. Before washing, you should of course read the care label. However, the maximum washing temperature is always shown on the label. So you can choose a lower temperature with a clear conscience, because thanks to modern washing machines and detergents, lower temperatures are often enough to achieve a good washing result. Your clothes will also thank you if they are not exposed to too much heat and will keep their colour and shine for longer.
Many machines also have an eco-wash programme that takes longer to run but saves water and energy by using less energy to heat the water and also using less water to wash the load. Ergo: To get your laundry clean, it takes more time but less energy to achieve the same washing result (with colder and less water) than with a normal programme.
A basic distinction can be made between heavy-duty detergents, colour detergents and mild detergents. Generally, it is better to use solid rather than liquid detergents - powder detergents are generally more environmentally friendly than their liquid counterparts. Powders have a better washing performance and are less polluting for sewage treatment plants. There are already various ecological alternatives on the market which, unlike conventional detergents, do not use petroleum-based surfactants, fragrances or preservatives.
Heavy-duty detergents contain bleaching agents and are often used for white garments, as they make the laundry shine again. A heavy-duty detergent is also suitable for particularly heavily soiled laundry, as well as bed linen and towels that can be washed at 60° C.
Colour detergents are particularly suitable for coloured (and also black) textiles. They do not contain optical brighteners and protect the colour quality of the garments.
For our erlich textil products made of lace and modal, a mild detergent is the right choice. It does not contain bleach or brighteners and cleans sensitive materials gently. In combination with a gentle programme at low temperatures (20 to 40 °C) nothing can go wrong.
Many machines also have an eco-wash programme that takes longer to run but saves water and energy by using less energy to heat the water and also using less water to wash the load. Ergo: To get your laundry clean, it takes more time but less energy to achieve the same washing result (with colder and less water) than with a normal programme.
So that you can enjoy the beautiful, smooth surfaces for a long time, we recommend that you always use a laundry bag for delicate materials, bras and underwear (especially lace). This will protect your clothes from unnecessary friction in the washing machine drum.
The GUPPYFRIEND wash bag is the first clever solution to the microfibre problem: With the GUPPYFRIEND you can do your own bit to reduce plastic pollution in water and make others aware of the problem. How does it work? Every time you wash your clothes, microfibres - tiny fragments of synthetic fibre - are released from your clothes and simply end up in the sewerage system. The most environmentally harmful are fibres from synthetic materials such as acrylic, nylon and polyester.
The GUPPYFRIEND is a simple remedy: put the clothes in the laundry bag, fill it up to halfway and wash it as usual. Because of the soft surface of GUPPYFRIENDS, the garments automatically lose fewer fibres, which extends the life of the garment. Broken fibres are filtered and deposited in the corners and hem of the bag after washing. The leftovers can be easily removed and disposed in the household waste.
GUPPYFRIEND is made from untreated and undyed polyamide 6.6 and does not lose any microfibres itself. For more information and a comprehensive FAQ, click here.
The good old clothesline is probably the first and best way to dry your favourite items. It does not use any energy and is gentle on your clothes and the environment. Before you can put your clothes on the line, it is best to shake them out once or twice, this usually saves you having to iron them afterwards.
When drying, you should make sure that you dry particularly heavy items, such as our Horst or Milla, lying down. If you hang them on an iron or clothesline, they can warp under their own weight and lose their shape.
Tip: If you hang your clothes on the line, it is best to dry them in the wind - and not, as you would expect, in (strong) sunlight. Therefore: always make sure there is a good draught, then your clothes will dry particularly quickly. The wind also helps to smooth out creases. The sun acts as a natural bleaching agent for white cotton textiles, but if you are drying colour-sensitive garments, protect them from too much sunlight or turn them inside out.
With a little routine, ironing can be avoided in most cases: To do this, it is best to shake out the laundry immediately after washing and hang it on the line with staples along the seam or on an iron; it is best to place it outside and make sure there is a good draught (this will smooth out the first creases as soon as the laundry is dry), smooth it out and fold it up when it is dry. Done!
Nonetheless, the handle to the iron is unavoidable now and then. So if you ever need to do it, look out for the care label and also make sure you don't iron too hot. It's easier if you spray the garment with some distilled water before ironing.
You will find more details about the care of the individual products on the care labels sewn into every single textile product.
