Fabric Care and Eco-friendlier Living
Our organic cotton shirts are made to last, but they need to be handled and washed with care. This does not mean it will be more difficult or inconvenient to clean them, rather, it is less expensive and more environmentally friendly.
Organic Cotton is made differently, so take care of it differently.
Conventional cotton t-shirts are made with hastily grown and harvested cotton treated with chemical softening agents. After a few wears, those artifical softeners start to wear off, and you need to buy more fabric softening chemcials to maintain its feel.
Free from harmful chemicals, GMOs, and pesticides, organic cotton is more breathable, durable and gentle on the skin. Not to mention it comes with plenty of benefits for our environment, our farmers and our consumers.
How to wash organic cotton
At the end of the day, organic clothing is simple to take care of: you just need natural soap and cold water. Give it a wash, rinse, and hang to dry. Done!
If using a washing machine, make sure you have it set to delicate or a gentle wash cycle, and have it set to cold.
Washing with cold water is not only great for your clothing, it is also better for the planet - and your electricity bill. 90% of energy used by your washing machine goes towards heating the water.
The best soaps or detergents to use for any organic clothing have minimal ingredients.
Washing soda (sodium carbonate) is a similar compound to baking soda. While washing soda and baking soda are both types of chemicals, they are non-toxic and can be found in nature. The purpose of them in washing clothes is to act as a degreaser and odor neutralizer.
Vinegar is a great eco-friendly alternative. You can put 1/2 a cup of distilled white vinegar into the washing machine's detergent compartment and the vinegar will help to degrease your clothes and give your white shirts a little extra shine. Be sure to NOT pour vinegar directly onto your garments. It is acidic and needs to be diluted to clean clothes without damaging the fabric.
Fabric conditioners or softeners are not needed for organic cotton
Our shirts are soft because of how they are made- with higher quality cotton that's woven with a higher thread count. If you do use any unnatural conditioners or softeners, they can make t-shirts rough, starchy, and water-resistant.
A good DIY hack to make your own fabric softener is with a mixture of white vinegar and natural essential oils. It will help clean your shirt without changing its softness or absorbency.
Not just a graphic tee, but an investment
Conventional cotton farming has had a drastic impact on the air, water and soil over the years. By choosing to purchase organic cotton t-shirts, you are not only helping to minimize the environmental impact of making clothing, but supporting local farmers who grow cotton without any harmful agrochemicals. When you take proper care of your tees, you are helping to reduce pollutants in your local ecosystems and using less energy to clean your clothing.
Investing in organic clothing also helps to break the fast-fashion cycle. Taking care of your livologie tees is the best way to get the most out of them, and our mission. It is not only about wearing comfortable and stylish shirts, but also leaving the world a better place than we found it.