How to be an Ethical Fashion Consumer

1. Wash Better and Make your Clothes Last

• Use non-toxic laundry detergents. Look for products that are non-toxic, biodegradable, do not contain phosphates and contain natural ingredients. Most household laundry detergents consist of petroleum, phosphates and synthetic chemicals that are unhealthy to breathe in, leave residue on our clothing and are harmful to our air and waterways.
• Wash in cold water! Hot water requires energy to heat. The cold water will also prevent bleeding or fading of colors.
• Turn apparel inside out to prevent the outside from being worn out.
• Salt! Add a couple of teaspoons of salt with your detergent can keep your clothing bright and adding a half cup of salt will keep the colors from running.
• Fix your clothes! Small fixes on you clothing, like a button being replaced or small tailoring can prolong the life of your clothing tremendously. Take a minute to fix your own clothing or pay a small fee for a tailor.
• Baking Soda! When baking soda is added to your detergent it can act as a deodorizer and cleanser.
• Vinegar! White vinegar can be a substitute for fabric softener. Simply put a small cup of vinegar in the middle of the washing machine barrel, where fabric softener usually goes.
• Old Washing Machines! If in need of a new machine please recycle your old one at an appliance recycle center and consider an energy efficient new washing machine to replace it.
• Hang dry your clothes! Avoid using a tumble drier. Tumble dryers age clothing and use unnecessary energy.

2. Upcycle

• Make new clothing from old or used clothes to make an updated look and utilized already produced pieces. The most sustainable product is one that already exists.

3. Shop Ethically

• Buy vintage or second-hand clothing, or have clothing swaps with your friends! Re-use and recycle!
• Know the origin of the apparel you are buying
• Know the fibers you are looking at and buy fibers that are not harmful to the environment
• Buy Fair Trade
• Buy locally

4. Sponsor GATF

• Learn more about sponsoring GATF on our donate page.