Green Clothing Buying Guide

Where your clothes come from

The first step in greening up your wardrobe is to think about what your clothes are made of. You've probably heard about hemp clothing or even bamboo clothing, but there are other factors you can consider. You can reduce your carbon footprint by shopping for clothes which have some of the following features:

Planet-friendly fibers

Like choosing between paper and plastic, you may second-guess yourself when you have to choose between clothing made of natural fibers and those made of synthetic fibers. Most man-made fibers require a lot of energy to be produced, and many are made out of petroleum, which releases dangerous matter into the air during production. However, crops for natural fibers--like conventionally grown cotton--are some of the largest users of water and pesticides. What choices do you have when you're going green? Here are a few:

• Organic cotton is grown without pesticides, herbicides or artificial fertilizers. Not only does its production release fewer chemicals into the air, but organic clothing will release fewer chemicals as you wear it.

• Bamboo and hemp require much less water and other resources to grow. Because these plants grow quickly, they are also considered a renewable resource. Both bamboo and hemp fibers can be made into fabrics with a variety of textures, from sheer and silky to warm and durable.
• New man-made materials are improving their reputation. For example, some companies are making fleece out of recycled plastic bottles and shoes out of recycled rubber. Other companies are experimenting with fibers made from corn.

Natural dyes

Chemical dyes release toxins into the air during production and the clothes dyed with them can irritate sensitive skin. Home crafters have been experimenting with fabric dyes made of vegetables, coffee and tea for many years, but clothing companies are just starting to use natural fabric dyes. Look for clothing made with "low impact dyes," but don't be surprised if you don't find too much available yet.

How you take care of your clothes

It takes energy to make your clothes and to ship them to you, but did you realize that your clothes still use energy once they belong to you? Experts have estimated that anywhere from 60 to 80 percent of the energy your clothes require over their lifetime is from machine washing and drying. You can "unplug your clothes" by following these tips:

• Decide if you really need to wash that shirt: When you put on an outfit and only wear it around the house for a few hours, it probably doesn't need to be washed yet. Before you throw anything in the hamper, think about whether or not you could get another wear out of it. If you can, hang it back up in your closet.
• Install energy-efficient appliances: Upgrade your washer and dryer to Energy Star models. You'll use less water and less power, and you'll save money on your power bill. Some local power companies will even give you a rebate check when you have Energy Star rated appliances installed, so be sure to check with yours.
• Air-dry your clothes when you can: Use even less power by air drying your clothes outside on a clothesline. When the sun is out, this gives your clothes a fresh scent. If your clothes stiffen while hanging on the line, mix one capful of clear fabric softener with one cup of clean water in a spray bottle and shake to combine. Then spray the mixture on them and shake them out.

When you pass your clothes along

Whether you've outgrown your clothes or you're just tired of wearing them, don't throw them in the trash. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), about 4 percent of the solid waste in U.S. landfills is made up of clothing and textiles--that's about 68 pounds of clothing being thrown away per person every year. The clothes then rot and release methane gas into the atmosphere. So, what can you do to help?

If your clothes are still in good condition, sell them at a consignment shop or in a yard sale, or donate them to charity. When you donate clothing, you can write off the amount when you file your taxes, and you can feel good about dressing people who are less fortunate.

If your clothes are worn out, think about ways you can recycle them. Old tee shirts make excellent dust cloths, and old jeans can be cut up to make a quilt. Many recycling centers have started accepting clothes to be recycled into other items, like paper, industrial cloths and even fencing materials. If you can't find a local recycling center that takes clothes, then go ahead and donate the worn out items to a charity like Goodwill or the Salvation Army. They have connections to textile recyclers that you may not know about.

Greening your accessories

Your accessories can help you go green too. Here are a few ways:

• Look for accessories, like hats and scarves, made out of recycled or earth-friendly fibers. These are often handcrafted accessories, so you'll be helping a humanitarian cause while living greener.
• Remember that "natural" materials aren't always good for the planet. A 2006 United Nations Farm and Agriculture (FAO) study found that the livestock industry produces more harmful greenhouse gases than automobiles. To avoid contributing to those emissions, choose shoes and belts made out of non-leather materials.
• Buy tote bags to use in place of plastic shopping bags. Keep a few tote bags stashed in your car for last minute errands.
• Choose designer accessories that will last many years and won't end up in a landfill.

Green clothing buying tips

Now that you have this information, what do you do with it? Here are a few tips:

• When you're online shopping, enter in search terms like "organic clothing" and "recycled clothing." You can also search for clothing made from specific fibers, like hemp clothing or bamboo clothing.
• Look up information about a brand before you buy their clothing and accessories. You may be surprised to learn that they are doing a lot to help the environment.
• When you buy green clothes that you like, write a letter to the clothing company to thank them for helping the planet.
• Treat your clothes well so they'll last.
• Share what you know about green living.
• Don't beat yourself up if you can't do everything. Remember that even a few small lifestyle changes can really make a difference!

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