Washing

Reduce your use of water and energy by only washing your clothes when you really need to. You can remove a stain also by just soaping and sponging the affected area. When you decide to wash, choosing lower temperatures and shorter cycles is an excellent way to contribute to reducing your own carbon footprint.

Regular detergents and softeners pollute the environment when released into nature – make sure you choose an eco-friendly detergent for your laundry. It's not necessary to use large amounts of detergent when washing your clothes, as this will not make your clothes cleaner, but it will have a negative impact on the environment.

Remember to wash your clothes inside out, check their pockets, and fasten all buttons and zippers.

Smart tip: we recommend placing 2 or 3 tennis balls into the washing machine with your garment, as this will keep the padding regular.

Prevent Microfibre pollution with fibre filters

You can place synthetic clothing into filter bags (such as the ones from http://guppyfriend.com/en/ ) before washing, no matter whether you are handwashing, or using your machine: this will greatly reduce the amount of microfibres you will release into the environment. You can also install a permanent filter in your machine, although you might need an expert's help for this. In both cases, rememeber ro clean the filter bag after a few washings. You will notice when you need to do it because you will actually see the fibres in the filter. Remove them manually, and place them in the rubbish bin.

Minimize the Use of the Dryer

The most eco-friendly way to dry your clothes is simply hanging your laundry, as that uses no energy. Simple air drying will not only reduce your environmental impact, it will also help your clothes keep their shape and last longer.

When hanging your clothes, remember to turn dark and black items inside out, so they don't fade.

If possible, only use your dryer on low heat – you may have to dry your clothes in more than one cycle – and place two or three clean tennis balls into the dryer, to take care of the padding.

Don't iron

Only iron if you really have to, to save energy and time.

After washing, hang your clothing or place it horizontally on a non-heated surface, and turn it around every once in a while.

Don't Dry Clean

Avoid dry cleaning, unless otherwise indicated in the garment’s care label. Dry cleaning’s chemical solvents have significant human and environmental impact when released into nature.

Unless otherwise recommended on the care label, don't dry clean your garment, as dry cleaning uses chemical subtances with a high human and environmental impact.

Waterproofing Replenishing

Most waterproof and breathable coating is usually treated with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish, which is what keeps water out of the garment's outer layer. Make sure you replenish this coating at least once a season, possibly more if you use your garment very often.

You can reactivate the DWR coating by placing your garment in the dryer on a low/medium setting for about 30 minutes (check on the label that the garment is dryer friendly.) You can also iron the garment very gently, using a low setting. Test if your garment is waterproof again.

If reactivating doesn't seem to have worked, you may have to add a layer of coating. You can easily spray it on if you have a 2-layer garment, or wash it in if you have a 3-layer garment, ie. one with an inner fabric working as a protective layer for the barrier.

STAIN REMOVAL TIPS

If you want to clean grease out of your technical fabric jacket, you can use dish detergent: dampen the affected area, rub, after that, wash your item in warm water, using mild laundry detergent. If this doesn't work, sponge it with a safe cleaning fluid, or mineral spirits.

For woven fabrics, you can also use a toothbrush: put a drop of dish detergent on the stain, and scrub until the stain is gone. Rinse your item in warm water, and blot dry it with a towel.

Denatured alcohol is a very powerful stain remover, and it works with surface stains that won't be removed by soap and detergents. This kind of alcohol can remove ink and oil stains: when necessary, place a few drops of denatured alcohol on a cotton disk or cloth, and test it on a non visible part of your garment, to check that it doesn't cause discoloration. If this doesn't happen, go ahead and rub the stain away with a wet cotton ball, making sure you don't saturate the fabric, and let it dry.

Store Your Jackets And Coats Correctly

We want your Save the Duck jacket to last for years, which is why you should make sure you store it properly during the months you don't need it. Here is a guide on how to take care of your parka during the hot season. Place it in a dry and ventilated area, protected from direct sunlight and heat.

1. When you store your jacket away, it must be as clean as possible: dirt, sweat and oils will damage the fabric in the long run. Have a look at the product care label for specific care instructions.
2. Hang your Save the Duck parka, do not compress it or cram it in small spaces.
3. Store it in a dark, dry place for the best results.
4. Protect your jacket from dust and dirt with a breathable garment bag.