It's all very well to choose eco-friendly clothing, which is made in the best possible conditions and has the lowest possible impact on the environment, but the fact remains that a large part of the ecological impact of clothing lies in its care.
When we say care, we mean the amount of water used, detergents/stain removers/softeners and drying. The way in which a garment is washed, and the frequency with which it is washed, will have an impact on its lifetime, and a shorter lifetime means a greater ecological impact. That said, every stage of garment care has its alternative: wash in cold water, use ecological detergent, use vinegar as an anti-static fabric softener and hang to dry!
But what about clothes that needs to be dry-cleaned?
Does washing clothes without water seem possible? Sounds fishy, doesn't it? In fact, this type of washing only treats the fibers on the surface.
And what about the impact of dry-cleaning on human and environmental health?Let's face it, when you buy a clothes item with dry-cleaning instructions, there are several costs to consider. First, there are the economic costs. Depending on clothing to be cared for, prices vary from around $4 to $20. Let's take the example of a jacket. The minimum purchase price for a quality jacket is $150. Dry-cleaning will cost around $12 each time.
Perhaps you've never thought about it. Have you ever smelled a clothing item that has been through this process? If not, I invite you to open your nostrils slightly the next time you come into contact with a clothes that has been through a traditional dry-cleaning process. Horrors!
In most cases, what makes this process possible is the use of solvents that are toxic to both your health and the environment. The most commonly used is perchloroethylene, a solvent known to be neurotoxic, potentially carcinogenic and toxic to the environment. Perchloroethylene is frequently used by cleaners, endangering the health of workers and customers alike, as well as the environment if the gas is not adequately recovered.
Alternatives to dry-cleaningFortunately, in line with growing consumer interest in greener solutions, some cleaners have developed healthier dry-cleaning processes based on water or CO2. You can refer to Pressing Aquanet, Groupe Daoust/Forget and other independent cleaners who offer beautiful dry-cleaning solutions without toxic solvents.
In all cases, we invite you to ask your local drycleaner about the process he or she uses, and if it is still based on toxic solvents, to let him or her know about other options and your desire to see him or her adopt new, more environmentally-friendly strategies.
For both economic and ecological reasons, we invite you first and foremost to read the care labels when buying a new outfit. It's clear that you'll benefit from avoiding clothes that require dry-cleaning, both economically and ecologically.
Ask your drycleaner for more information and make better choices for yourself and the environment!
Ecologically yours,
