Taking care of our planet is at the forefront of Antipodean Co.’s values - that’s why we upcycle plastic bottles into our sustainable swim shorts, designed to be worn for years to come! There’s no denying the environmental footprint the fashion industry has had on the planet, but there are big and small ways to do better and reduce our impact. From choosing conscious brands and thrifting, to repurposing and taking good care of what we already have so they’ll last longer, as we’re discussing in this post!
Longer-lasting, quality clothes, pennies saved, and a happier planet? It’s a win-win, let’s get started!
Sustainable Washing & Drying
Wash with Cool Water
A subtle shift in your washing machine settings can make a world of difference! Opt for the 30-degree cold water setting to not only preserve the vibrant colors of your clothes but also reduce energy consumption.
A subtle shift in your washing machine settings can make a world of difference! By opting for the 30-degree cold water setting you’ll not only preserve the vibrant colours in your clothes, but also reduce energy consumption… and you’ll never shrink a sweater again!
Hang Your Clothes to Dry
Hanging clothes out to dry helps to maintain their quality and life-span by reducing the amount of wear and tear tumble dryers can cause. Allowing your garments to sway in the breeze, not only gives them the delicate care they need to stay in top-notch condition, but saves energy too! And if that wasn’t already great enough, line-drying often leaves less wrinkles. No ironing? Yes please!
Antipodean Co.’s swim shorts were designed to quick dry so you can wash, hang, wear, play, repeat in no time!
Use Less Fabric Softener
While fabric softeners may seem luxurious, the residue from softeners can pollute the environment since they can contain harmful chemicals that we can’t even pronounce! Opt for a mild, natural detergent instead, for a fresh feel without compromising on sustainability.
Careful Sorting
Before your clothes take the plunge, take a moment to sort them thoughtfully. Separate them by colour to help prevent colour bleeding, handwash your delicates, and read the care instructions on the label so each piece receives the specific care it deserves, so it can last longer.
Organising & Repairing
Rotate Your Wardrobe
Ever found your old favourite jeans and realized you haven’t worn them in forever because they’ve been hiding at the back of your wardrobe all this time? Give all of your clothes a chance to bask in the spotlight by periodically rotating them. This simple act helps distribute wear evenly, ensuring that each piece gets its fair share of admiration for many years to come!
Repair, Don’t Replace
Button fallen off? Hole in your socks? Ripped knee in your jeans? Doesn’t mean it’s the end. It’s all fixable!
Every household has a mending kit tucked away somewhere, and if you don’t, you can easily pick one up from the shops. The online world is full of great little repair tutorials to patch your clothes back up again, or you could even join a local sewing class.
Repairing your clothes doesn’t only keep them in your closet longer (who knows, you might get another 5 years from them), but adds a bit of character to them too!
Smart Hanger Choices
Not all hangers are created equal. Use padded hangers for delicate fabrics and wooden hangers for heavier items. This simple hack helps maintain the shape of your clothes over time.
Folding
When it comes to heavier items like sweaters, choose folding instead of hanging so they don’t end up looking sad and droopy. Tip: Store them with bay leaves or cedar wood to avoid moth holes!
Repurposing & Upcycling
Repurposing
If your old clothes are past the point of repair, consider ways you can repurpose them to give them a second chance… Turn a worn pair of pants into shorts, cut an old tee into cleaning cloths, or pull them together to make a patchwork quilt!
Upcycling
Who doesn’t love a glow-up!? Upcycling is the process of transforming waste, unwanted items, and by-products into something new and more valuable, and Antipodean Co. are doing just that! Did you know that 86% of the materials in our sustainable swim shorts are made from recycled plastic?
Instead of letting troublesome plastic bottles pollute our oceans and get stuck in landfill for hundreds of years, we decided to repurpose them into fun companions for your ocean escapades, road trips and adventures! You can check out our quirky, upcycled swim shorts here.
Let’s all give our things an extra bit of TLC - they’ll thank you for it in the long run! If you have any tips you would add to take better care of your clothes, feel free to send us a DM on Instagram. Cheers to looking good, feeling good, and doing good!
