Not only our eating habits have an effect on the environment and our planet, we can also make a change by what we wear. With the right choice of clothing, we can support reducing environmental pollution through CO2 emissions as well as the exploitation of underpaid employees in developing countries. Especially garments with instructions such as "non-iron", "wrinkle- resistant" or "wash before wearing" often contain chemical substances, which are harmful to the environment as well as our health, as they may enter our organism through our skin. Furthermore, non-sustainably produced outdoor clothing often contain synthetic fibres that are petroleum-based and not biodegradable.
Sustainable Clothing
In order to dress sustainably, it is suitable to either select clothes from sustainable production, or else shop second-hand. By choosing Fair Fashion we send an important message to the fashion industry to save resources and treat textile workers from developing countries with care.
When it comes to doing your laundry, make sure to only wash when really necessary and when your washing machine is fully loaded. Light soiling can be removed at a washing temperature of 30oC, where you can easily resort to organic detergents or even vinegar. Vinegar is a good alternative, as it decalcifies even your washing machine and is tolerated by the skin.
Sustainable Cleaning
According to reports from the Federal Environment Agency, private households in Germany consume around 480,000 tonnes of cleaning and care products every year. Most of these products contain chemical ingredients such as phosphates, synthetic dyes and fragrances, preservatives, foam boosters and optical brighteners, all of which end up in our waste water. Using these products not only pollutes our environment, but also has a negative effect on our health. In order to avoid these side effects, it is recommended to use biodegradable cleaning products.
Making our home shine does not require a lot of tools. For example, vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil or baking soda powder are suitable cleaning products. Mixed with a little water, vinegar and lemon juice have a descaling effect, and can also be used to clean armatures, tiles and insensitive floors. Sodium bicarbonate powder is a real miracle cure for drains, bathroom and kitchen fittings. Olive oil acts as a natural polish for real wood furniture.