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If you have an item of clothing that has a tear, rip, hole, or anything else that can be repaired, let ReStitch mend it for you. ReStitch is a project that operates on a drop-off based system, collecting broken garments and then returning them to the owners within a short period of time. To drop off a piece of clothing, fill out the ReStitch form linked here and drop your garment off at the ReStitch table at Leavey on Fridays from 11 AM - 3 PM. Keep up to date with all things ReStitch on our Instagram @georgetownreuse.

Lengthen the life of your clothes by taking care of them. Follow some of the guidelines below to prolong the life of your fabrics and clothing:

1. Shave pilling off of sweaters with a sweater comb, pumice stones, fabric shavers, or try out a velcro hair roller. (Note: washing clothes inside out can prevent pilling in the first place!)

2. Fold sweaters, heavy knit items, or any stretchy garments on a shelf instead of hanging them to keep them from stretching or losing their shape.

3. To unstretch shirt collars, tie a rubber band just below the collar and dip that part in boiling water for 30 seconds. Let it air dry on a flat surface.

4. There are multiple ways to get rid of stains using natural materials. While this is case-by-case depending on the type of stain, consider some methods like nontoxic baking soda, using detergent on hand, vinegar, or rubbing alcohol. Look for some specific stain-removal scenarios (like coffee, wine, blood, or sweat stains) at this link and research others online.

Sources: Peaceful Dumpling, Grove Co., Sustainably Chic

Many people improperly wash or dry their clothes and inadvertently shorten the life of their items. Here are some tips on how to conserve energy, preserve the environment, and correctly clean your clothes:

1. Use environmentally friendly laundry detergent sheets for a low-waste alternative that doesn’t generate an excess of microplastic when used. Some options can be found at the link here.

2. Fill up your washing machine around 3/4 of the way full. Be sure not to run the machine with just a few items, wasting water and energy. Also avoid stuffing the machine full to ensure that you don’t need to rewash the clothes to properly clean them and that the items don’t tangle.

3. Add reusable wool dryer balls to your toolkit. These will act as a fabric softener. Because they are absorbent, they also save energy by reducing drying times significantly! At the end of their life, dryer balls made from organic material (like 100% wool) can be composted. Find some great options here.

4. Use your dryer on the lowest heat setting or air dry your clothes if you have access to a drying rack. Many items should also be laid flat to dry and maintain their shape. This saves energy and often preserves the life of your items.

5. Most clothes can be washed with cold water and soiled lightly, preventing excess energy waste on the washing process.

6. Wash denim inside-out on cold to avoid fading and shrinking.

7. Don’t overwash your clothes—most items can last a good number of wears before they need to be washed, and overwashing can strain the fabric. If the clothing holds some odor, you can often hang it and air it out for a day to prolong the fabric and avoid excess washing.

8. Wash similar fabrics together. If possible, try to separate different textures of fabric to reduce friction while they are being washed. If you do not have enough clothes to separate full loads, use a mesh bag for delicates, lighter materials, or anything that might get disturbed in the wash.

Sources: Peaceful Dumpling, GreenCitizen, Sustainable Jungle

The roots of our mission are in fighting fast fashion, cyclical trends, and clothing made from cheap, disposable fabrics. It is always best to make pre-loved purchases from secondhand stores like Georgetown REUSE, here are some tips for mindful consumption when you are buying new items:

1. Try to live minimally and cut down on unneeded items. Every month, try to find five things you don’t need anymore. Ask your friends and family if they want anything or donate the goods.

2. The same goes for purchases you may want to make: start out by looking for unused items within your personal community or a Buy Nothing group.

3. Share your resources. Look for opportunities to share what you have with others. For example, consider carpooling and community gardening.

4. When looking to make a purchase, think consciously about how much you will use it regularly. Consider borrowing items that are infrequently used (such as a specific home renovation tool) instead of buying it new. Also, look into rental options for the items you are planning to buy.

5. If purchasing new, try to look for companies that meet a certain ethical or environmental standard. For clothing, the Good On You website and app rates thousands of brands. With a price tag rating, it also makes it easier to find which fashion companies are more affordable.

Sources: REI, Good On You

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to fit perfectly into a circular economy. When the problem is so immense and difficult to tackle, it can be disheartening to try to take action alone. But realize that there is a bigger movement at play. When in need of hope, look at some of the following websites to keep up to date with the work being done on forming a circular economy:

1. Ellen MacArthur Foundation

2. Loop

3. World Economic Forum

Also, keep an eye on current events. Every element of the news and societal function has a life cycle and ties back to a circular economy. Try to stay aware of this.