Clothing Care with Reed, from The Sustainable Garment
This week, I had the pleasure of hosting Reed from The Sustainable Garment as my guest on Instagram Live.
If you’re following me, chances are you’re already investing in better-quality pieces made with natural fibers. But buying well is just the first step—learning how to care for those garments is what really makes a difference. And that’s exactly what Reed is here to help us with.
Reed is fantastic. She shared so much practical knowledge to help us take better care of our clothes—not only so they last longer, but also so we can reduce waste and do something good for the planet. Small steps like these matter, and I’m so grateful for her insights.
Below are all the questions she answered during our chat, so you can revisit her advice at any time.
Hello to all of you! What an honor it was to be invited into Ana Harris's studio to discuss one of my absolute favorite subjects: clothing care. Thank you to anyone who watched, and I’m so glad we can follow up with this blog to make this information available to the rest.
I have been seriously steeped in this subject matter for a long time. Developing a love for natural materials and learning how to best care for these pieces led me to The Sustainable Garment. This pioneering effort allows me to share this knowledge with others. Over the last few years, I have shifted my focus to include the world of our interiors as Tapestry Home Interiors. I now offer consultations to help people on both fronts.
We collected a lot of questions from Ana’s followers, and I am not surprised that the majority centered on washing and drying, which aligns with our modern concept of cleanliness.
However, washing and drying is only the beginning!
There are numerous meaningful ways to care for your clothes, which is why I have uncovered the Art of Garment Grooming, highlighting the practices and tools that enable us to develop a deeper relationship with our garments and help them last. I look forward to sharing these skills with those of you who are interested in them someday, either in person or during a virtual session.
And now, on to the Q & A!
How do you define sustainable shopping or clothing?
Sustainable clothing is all about connecting and interacting with what you choose to own. It is educating yourself so that you can make an educated choice about what you bring into your wardrobe and your life. Once you can understand the nature and needs of the garment, then you have a better chance of giving it the longest life possible. I believe in the stewardship of our belongings, whatever they may be.
Which brands or companies do you recommend to people who wish to shop in alignment with these values?
I prefer supporting the circular economy with consignment, thrift, and vintage stores and I want to acknowledge some local folks doing important work: Jess at the Bangled Tiger, Mindy at Urban Thread, Christine at The Lady Next Door.
Regarding brands, Eileen Fisher and Patagonia are both long-time leaders in the industry that prioritize quality over quantity and make it a point to help you extend the life of your clothing through their repair programs. There are many younger brands also trying to break ground, and you can use the Good On You app to find them.
What small changes or practices would you recommend to someone new to sustainable fashion who is unsure where to begin?
# 1. Shop your closet and use it as a tool for investigation. Evaluate what you have - start examining it and how it is holding up. Get curious.
# 2. Go to a consignment store and start really looking at everything - this is where there will be a cross section between current and trendy and older, classic or designer pieces when things were made better. Go beyond the surface and look at the seams, the construction, feel the weight, look at the structure of the knit. How does it drape, does it pucker, is the pattern thoughtfully lined up, is there a lining, are the pockets functional? This will help you understand the different levels of what quality means when you are ready to shop.
# 3. Wash less. Use the dryer less. If you are tossing your jeans or your sweater in the wash pile after one wear, ask yourself why? Is it actually dirty? If you are tempted to throw that knit piece in the dryer, step back and ask yourself, is the convenience of the dryer worth taking a chance on this piece?
#4. Keep a couple of mesh delicate garment bags on hand. They are a lifesaver when it comes time to wash those pieces you care about in the washing machine - a convenience and care all-in-one!
# 5. Invest in a steamer. There is no way I could have the textile collection I do without a steamer. It sanitizes and gently removes wrinkles. I can refresh a garment and prepare it for the next wear over and over with the steamer.
Are there any myths or misconceptions about sustainable fashion/shopping that you would like to bust or correct?
Myth # 1. It’s cost prohibitive: When you learn how to source quality you can shop second hand and find great pieces that are affordable. You can also learn how to recognize quality in everyday brands as well.
Myth # 2. You have to overhaul your existing closet: It is better to work with what you have, and start bringing those better pieces from better sources or companies in slowly.
Myth # 3. You can only buy from sustainable brands: We need to be realistic and allow ourselves grace. If you need to get some basics from a convenient source then do it and just make an effort to take care of it.
What inspires you to shop sustainably?
I love to hunt for unique pieces and I don’t mind waiting until those pieces finally find me. When the perfect type of garment I’ve been looking for comes into my hands it is so rewarding.
Fill in the blank: shopping sustainably allows me to:
Connect with my wardrobe and with my community.
How often should you wash garments, and should you turn them inside out before washing?
Less is more for everything. The items that touch our skin will require the most frequent washing, so using them as barrier layers to other pieces is critical to managing care of our outwear. In the past that would be the ONLY thing we would wash, period! Turning inside out is always a great rule of thumb.
How often should I wash certain fabrics (jeans, wool, silk etc)?
Jeans are rugged material and should be washed only when truly dirty. Wool and linen have anit-microbial properties that naturally deter smells and can easily be refreshed just by airing out and worn over and over, especially if you wear a base layer for the woolens. Silk tends to retain odors and hang on to body oils, so a gentle wash for our silks on a more regular basis is a good idea.
How do you determine the best cleaning method for a garment without a care label?
If in doubt, air on the side of a gentle, less is more approach. Cold wash, gentle agitation, gentle wash liquid, air dry. See how it responds.
Is it better to wash on hot on a gentle cycle or cold but in a rough spin cycle?
This is a tricky question as neither of these are ideal combinations and it really depends on the nature of the fabric and garments being washed. Hot might be okay for everyday whites, and a gentle cycle is preferred in general. If you go cold but have a more aggressive wash and spin cycle, that could be ok for everyday darks. But I vote for neither of these combinations and favor cold/lukewarm on a gentle cycle and spin for almost everything.
Are certain detergents better for specific fabrics?
For my everyday stuff I use a Free and Clear detergent as I am very sensitive to fragrances and dyes, but that has an added benefit as the chemicals in fragrances and dyes are more harsh on fibers. For more specialized care, Soak has a No-Rinse Wash for cashmere/wool/silks that I love, and a special formula for workout clothes too. Using a no-rinse wash means that we aren’t tempted to “get the suds out” and cause accidental felting or abrasion when handling, and they are capable of getting our garments very clean!
Does linen require any type of special care?
Linen is one of the strongest and most resilient fabrics, but it does not like a hot wash or a hot dryer. I usually just use my free and clear detergent. I like to air dry my linen and then steam them to manage any wrinkles.
Do you recommend using fabric softeners?
I do not recommend commercially available fabric softeners. They can disturb the wicking properties of our favorite natural fibers and are especially detrimental to the “performance”of our performance wear (please note: this includes using “dryer sheets” which are coated in fabric softener) and can actually weaken fibers as they create a build-up over time.
I like to use vinegar in place of fabric softener and put it in the same receptacle on the washer so it goes through during the rinse cycle. Vinegar is a natural softener, deodorizer, and residue remover.
What are the most common mistakes people make when caring for delicate fabrics?
Not realizing how aggressive we can be when we are washing, whether by hand or with the setting we choose on the washer. Overuse of the dryer can weaken fibers and actually melt them in the case of synthetics.
I wore a silver necklace over a cashmere shirt and it created a black stain. How can I fix it and how can I avoid it happening again?
The reason: Our silver jewelry can tarnish, which is a natural reaction to exposure to air and contact with the oils on our skin and chemicals in our make-up and hair products, and can then transfer a dark stain to our clothing.
The fix: As the cashmere is delicate, I’d opt for a white vinegar and water soak and see if that helps lift the stain.
To prevent: Clean the silver before wearing it again. You can give a silver polishing cloth a try to clean it and then for maintenance. The cloths are impregnated with tarnish removing polishing compound and can be used with all precious metals. When not wearing, keep the jewelry in a closed container (instead of hanging) to reduce exposure to the air.
What are your go-to tips for extending the life of everyday clothing items?
Everyday items can take a little more so you can wash in cool or lukewarm on the casual setting. Low setting on the dyer.
Are there ways to wash clothes less often without sacrificing cleanliness?
I keep my washing to a minimum for outer garments, but my goodness do they feel fresh and clean with the use of enzyme sprays and steaming. If you want to go to the next level, brushing with a garment brush is an invaluable tool and method to really keep these garments in tip top shape, way beyond what a sticky roller can do. When I step out in a killer coat or jacket after giving it a proper brush, it literally glows.
I use sanitizing sprays to wash my clothes less often. There are a variety of sanitizing spray for quoting in the market. Do you have a favorite one? Are there any of them that you don’t recommend?
I love Ecos Stain & Odor Remover - it has a light citrus smell that dissipates and it works fantastically on everything. When using a spray like this, I like to have a bottle of distilled water on hand to chase the product and help disperse it into fibers so that it doesn’t leave a ring. Distilled water is really helpful as the minerals in our tap water can also leave a ring of their own. Pro tip: same rule with using distilled water applies for when you attempt to remove the stain on your sofa!
Dry cleaning clothes (not coats or jackets) should really be dry clean? Could I hand wash?
Dry cleaning can be damaging to delicate fabrics like silk and cashmere, causing them to become stiff and brittle as the harsh chemicals dry them out. I can tell when a cashmere sweater has been dry-cleaned as it has totally lost the lovely texture and quality that we associate with the fiber. I have brought many of these back to life through my washing methods. Silks, linens, woolens and cashmeres can definitely be hand-washed - and there are ways to do it in the washing machine as well if you know what you are doing! Also, I never dry clean anything, including coats or jackets, as with my tools and practices I am able to keep everything beautifully managed.
Are there fabrics that should never be dry cleaned or machine washed?
Cashmere/Merino/Silk/Linen - avoid dry cleaners. Structured garments with linings/formal wear - avoid machine washing.
Is synthetic always bad when it comes to fabrics?
No, synthetics are not always bad - they are a modern convenience and are a great choice for many. A high quality polyester crepe blouse or ponte knit pant can be a great addition to the wardrobe. A well-made yoga legging is a staple for many of us.
Is it better to fold or hang certain fabrics?
Folding is recommended for sweaters and knits as they can stretch out, while hanging things that have structure - dresses, pleated pants, blazers etc., will help to maintain their shape.
What’s the best way to store them off-season?
Clothes like to breathe! Storing in cotton or linen garment bags allow for air flow which is critical to deter mildew and pests. It is very important that we store things that are clean, as a lot of what pests are attracted to is the oil and food deposits on the fibers, as opposed to the fibers themselves. If you wash and store in well-made bags, they will be well protected.
How should I store off-season clothes like heavy coats or summer dresses?
For heavy coats prepare them for storage by giving them a good brushing and steaming and then keep them out of sunlight and in good ventilation with a quality hanger that offers shoulder support. Consider a dust jacket. For summer dresses that are more casual you should be good to clean, fold and place in a cotton garment bag.
I’m so grateful to Reed for sharing her time and expertise with us. The way she cares for garments is truly inspiring, and I hope you walked away from our conversation feeling more empowered to take care of your wardrobe more intentionally and sustainably.
If you feel that your specific pieces could use a little extra attention or you’re unsure how to care for them, Reed also offers one-on-one consultations. You can book a session with her through this link.
Also, I’d love to hear from you—what kind of collaboration would you like to see next on the blog? Let me know in the comments!
And if you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing it with friends or family who may also find it interesting. It helps support my work and allows me to continue providing you with content like this.
Thanks for reading—and for being here.
Ana Harris - Personal Stylist
Color Analysis - Wardrobe Styling
Studio in Fall River, MA - Serving clients from Rhode Island, Boston, and beyond.
