When talking about fashion, we tend to focus on the fun of shopping, styling and wearing. When we talk about sustainability, we fixate on sourcing, production, resale and waste.
But what about caring for your clothes? The Lab, a biotech fashion care brand, views caring for your garments as part of the culture of clothing, rather than an afterthought. And, it views care as critical to sustainability.
Without care, even the best-made pieces are put on a fast path to waste. When colours fade and fabrics lose their structure prematurely, garments still end up discarded sooner than they should.
“We’ve normalised replacing things before they’ve even had a chance to last. That’s the part of fashion no one really wants to talk about,” says The Lab founder, Jo Farah. “We’ve built an entire system around buying better, but we don’t ask whether we’re caring better.”
Jo suggests we must correct this and shift the focus from replacement to responsibility.
Typically, standard care practice is washing clothes. But what if washing does more harm than good? In a life cycle assessment study by Levi Strauss & Co., the brand found that the consumer care phase – washing and drying – accounted for 37% of a pair of jeans’ carbon footprint and 23% of its total water consumption. Small changes like washing at 30°C instead of 40°C, reading washing labels, or using natural detergents can make a big difference. But washing clothes too often or incorrectly can shorten the lifespan of clothes.
The Lab has produced a range of care products made from a 100% biodegradable cleaning solution in bottles made from 40% upcycled plastic and recyclable FSC-certified paper. Each product is non-toxic, safe for skin and fabric, and certified 100% vegan.
Here’s how The Lab suggests you should really be washing these pieces, and whether hand-washing or spot-cleaning is the better move.
Denim
Hand washing denim. Image: Courtesy The Lab
How often to wash: Around every 10 wears
Denim pieces are designed to be worn often and washed little. Think of their origins as everyday workwear for physical labourers. Overwashing can weaken the cotton fibres over time, leading to thinning, fraying and holes.
Part of the charm of denim is the patina that develops through wear – a process that regular washing can interrupt. Your body and habits shape the way denim ages, forming personalised creases and wear patterns. It’s advised to spot-clean obvious marks between washes, and hand wash rather than use a machine when a proper clean is needed.
The Lab recommends: The Denim Refresh spray for odours, the Denim Wash for hand washing with cold water, and the Denim Refresh Wipes for on-the-go cleaning.
Sneakers
Image: Courtesy The Lab
How often to wash: Spot clean regularly, deep clean when when visibly dirty – never in the machine
While creases in denim can add aesthetic value, they’re the last thing you want in your sneakers. Sneakers are made from a mix of materials – leather, suede, mesh, foam, rubber and glue – each with different reactions to heat, water and chemicals. Machine washing can ruin the shape of the shoe, loosen adhesives, and lead to cracking or peeling.
Sneakers should be wiped down regularly to remove day-to-day grime and minor scuffs, while undersoles can be dry-brushed to prevent dirt build-up. Although it may be tempting to submerge particularly dirty pairs in hot, soapy water, it’s recommended that you use a microfibre cloth or a soft-bristled brush to blot or gently clean stains instead.
The Lab recommends: The Lab offers a broad range of products designed specifically for sneaker care, including wipes, odour sprays, a speciality brush and leather protection.
Hats
Image: Courtesy The Lab
How often to wash: Statement and occasional hats can be washed once or twice a season. Caps worn more regularly should be refreshed every 2–4 weeks.
Vigorous washing can damage a cap’s structure, arguably its most important feature. Being knocked around in a washing machine can warp the shape, weaken stitches and adhesives, and lead to fraying around the brim.
It’s best to regularly spot clean your cap, especially around the brim where face oils and odour collect.
The Lab recommends: The Lab’s Protector Spray creates a shield that helps resist liquid and stains, while its Hat Cleaner is for deeper clean days, designed to be wiped off with a towel to avoid full water submersion. There are also wipes and a deodorising spray for touch-ups between washes.
Clothing
Image: Courtesy The Lab
How often to wash: Clothing only really needs to be washed when it’s visibly stained or smells. Casual clothes can be washed every one to three wears, pants every two to three wears, and outerwear can be cleaned once a season.
Natural fibres, like wool, can last a lot longer between washes and benefit from hand washing or spot cleaning rather than machine washing.
The Lab recommends: The Lab’s Apparel Refresh revitalises garments between wears, while its Apparel Wash was formulated with handwashing special and luxury garments in mind.
- All images provided by The Lab
- This is a sponsored post
- You can shop The Lab’s full product range online
