DESIGN FOR WEAR & CARE
Human activities are causing colossal impacts on our planet, leaving a heavy ecological footprint on the natural environment. The issues involved are complex and can be difficult to address. The saying “no one can do everything, but everyone can do something” is a banner for the eco-commitment behind Klöver Blå and Flora Manufaktur.
Bear in mind that denim clothes only become more distinctive and unique with passing time. We do not add any rips, holes or distressed effects to the jeans made at the factory. Because the best wear marks are the ones you get from wearing in your denims.
There are all kinds of uses for retired clothes. Sew a cute soft toy or a cushion, use them to mend another garment, and finally, turn them into cloths for dusting and rags for polishing – the list is endless!
Finally, when you feel your garments have outlived their useful life, hand them in for recycling so they can be put to new use. That way, you’ll be part of the circular economy, and saving natural resources.
CARE A lot of electrical energy goes into making garments, but did you know that far more electricity is used when you wash your clothes?
By reducing the frequency of washes, you can reduce your ecological footprint, while extending the life of your clothes.
DON’T WASH NEEDLESSLY
Clothes that are not very soiled are easy to clean. In many cases you don’t even have to wash them but can air them or brush dirt from the garment.
REDUCE THE WASH TEMPERATURE
Most of our garments are washcare labelled for machine washing at 40ºC. Some of our fabrics can even withstand a wash at 60ºC, but did you know that you use half as much energy by washing on a 40ºC cycle relative to one at 60ºC? Also, most clothes detergents work just as well at low temperatures.
HOW TO WASH DENIM GARMENTS
BEFORE WASHING
Always turn denim garments inside out before placing them in your washing machine! This reduces wear and tear and the risk of crease streaks.
If your clothes are soiled with dust or dirt, simply brush or shake them before placing in the washing machine.
Read the washcare label inside your denim garment to be sure of washing it as recommended. Always empty the pockets before washing! Any sharp object in a pocket could damage the fabric, and a coin in your pocket might fall out and damage your washing machine.
- ZIP THEM UP
A number of our styles have zips. The tabs, slider and teeth can get damaged if you don’t do up the zip and fold down the fly. So, make sure all zips are fastened before washing. If the zip sticks after washing it may need some attention. A tried and tested household tip is to slide the teeth along a candle. The candle wax lubricates the metal without making it sticky. - WASHCARE
Wash your denim clothing with similar colours.
Avoid washing them with non-denims or different coloured clothing as they can easily stain other garments and abrade other more delicate fabrics. Always use washing detergent made for coloured clothes when you wash denim. Avoid any detergent containing bleach, as it causes heavy fading in just a few washes. - FILL YOUR MACHINE
Sort your laundry by colour and wash-temperature. Fill the machine completely, but don’t stuff it full. A machine is full when you can make a fist above the laundry without force. Try to use an energy-saving cycle, which most modern washing machines have. - CHOOSE AN ECO-LABELLED DETERGENT
Use an eco-labelled laundry detergent - i.e. one containing no optic whitening agents or phosphates, which are harmful when they end up in the natural cycle. For coloured clothes, use a laundry detergent intended for coloured clothes. Dose each wash as instructed on the detergent packaging. Overdosing doesn’t wash your clothes cleaner, and may even leave detergent stains. To dose correctly, you need to know if the water where you live is hard or soft.
Do you really need fabric conditioner? If not, skip it! The fewer chemical additives, the better for the environment. - DON’T FORGET YOUR LAUNDRY
Don’t leave your clean laundry lying wet in your laundry room too long. This can cause dye stains and streaks. Turn any inside-out clothes out again before hanging them up to dry. - AVOID DRY CLEANING
Dry cleaning is a chemical process involving solvents.
None of the garments made by Flora Manufaktur require cleaning; all of them can be cleaned at home in your washing machine. - AIR DRY YOUR LAUNDRY
We recommend never tumble-drying any of our clothes. Partly because it causes needless wear and tear, but also because it requires a lot of energy. If you use an airing cupboard, the temperature should be no higher than that you washed the clothes at. If you air-dry your clothes at a higher temperature, the garments may shrink and the lycra in the garment may be damaged. The very best option, for both the environment and your clothes, is to air dry them. Shake them (don’t wring them) and hang them to dry without applying any heat. Ideally, dry your clothes outdoors, but not in direct sunlight, or they may fade or streak. - IRON LAUNDRY AT THE CORRECT TEMPERATURE
Be sure to iron your clothes at the temperature given on the washcare label inside the garment. Thicker sections of the garment may lose colour if ironed too hot. For best results, you should also turn the garment inside-out before ironing.
Take care of yourself and spare the environment!