Better for your clothes, as they will last longer; better for the planet, as less water and energy are used – it just makes sense to wash less.

…including your clothes. If they don’t need a wash, hang up, air out – and wear again.

Warm soapy water and a clean cloth should see to light marks.

A 30C machine wash is good; 20C, even better, especially if clothes only need a refresh. Use your judgement, but remember to keep cool at all times.

Save on energy by skipping the tumble dryer and hanging your clothes. To reduce ironing, shake them out thoroughly to prevent creases, and try lightly steaming them in the bathroom once dry.

More dry cleaners now offer eco-friendlier methods, like natural or biodegradable detergents. To help cut down on plastic, take a bag with you for collection.

Dresses can be shortened, sleeves cut, buttons changed, patches added… Get creative to breathe new life into old favourites.

Keep moths at bay by vacuum packing clothes that you aren’t wearing regularly. (Bonus: they will also feel like new again when you bring them out of storage.)

If you love it, fix it. Holes can be darned; lost buttons, replaced; and ripped seams, stitched, all for little time and effort.

Keep a lookout on our journal for tips; in the meantime, if you have any questions about how to mend your clothes, email us on info@saywoodstudio.co.uk.

Got a piece you no longer wear that’s in good condition? Swap it. Try hosting a swap shop with friends, or widen your audience at a local swapping event. Alternatively, donate it.

Unfortunately, clothing donated to some charities just ends up creating more waste, which is why it’s worth doing research beforehand to see which ones really put your donations to good use. Smart Works, for example, helps unemployed women back into the workplace by providing smart (donated) interview clothes.

If your Saywood piece is in resaleable condition, drop us an email on info@saywoodstudio.co.uk and we’ll be happy to take it back to give it a new life in our planned pre-loved section. In return, we’ll give you £30 off your next order. Win-win.

If your piece is beyond repair, recycle it at a textile bank (if it has buttons, cut them off as they can be reused. Plus, it’s always handy to have spares). If you can’t find one, get in touch with us. We’re looking into bulk recycling at the moment, which involves sending old clothes off for pulping so that they can be remade into new materials.