how to care for your naturally dyed clothing

caring for naturally dyed garments is a little different than caring for conventionally dyed garments. i like to think of it like leather, developing a patina over time based on how you wear and care for your piece. it can feel a little daunting at first, but becomes like second nature over time. 

for care
~ avoid contact with acidity or citrus.
~ wash inside out in cold water on gentle cycle with natural detergent, preferably one with a neutral ph. 
~hang to dry in a shady spot, colors will fade it left in direct sunlight. 
~if your piece is hand-drawn, i recommend washing by hand in cold water.

a few other things to note
~ most natural dyes react to acid, so please be careful when handling citrus, or citrus juices. if a stain happens please wash as normal with cold water and do not stain remove. if a stain persists don't panic, it will fade with time.
~ sweat stains should disappear after washing normally.
~ darker colored garments may feel stiff to the touch but will soften with regular washing.
~ natural dye will fade and shift in tone over time based on how you wear and care for it. i love this quality of working with natural dyes, the color is alive !

why natural dyes?

textile production is the second-largest contributor to global water pollution, accounting for approximately 20% of all industrial water contamination. each year, around 9 trillion gallons of synthetic dye chemicals are discharged into waterways worldwide. once these dyes enter the water, they are extremely difficult to remove, even with the most advanced filtration technologies.

synthetic dyes are highly toxic to aquatic ecosystems. when released into waterways, they discolor the water and disrupt essential processes like photosynthesis, which is vital for the survival of aquatic plants and the overall health of river systems.

the impact extends beyond the environment — synthetic dyes contain carcinogenic compounds, posing serious health risks to those exposed. workers in dyeing facilities around the world face conditions that can lead to dermatitis, respiratory illnesses, eye and skin irritation, damage to mucous membranes, and even tumor development. these harmful chemicals also remain in much of the clothing we wear, often causing skin irritation and rashes, especially in children.

while synthetic dyes are widely accepted for their consistent color and long-lasting results, these advantages come with significant drawbacks.

i partner with green matters natural dye company for the majority of the clothing that i offer. not only are they a small, woman owned business, but they also go above and beyond to implement responsible practices. all of the water they use is collected in a 60,000 gallon cistern under their production facility from rainwater in rural pennsylvania, the exhausted dyestuff (the material that has been used for dyeing and no longer contains material that will dye fiber) is composted at local, sustainable amish farms. anything left from this is turned to lake pigments that can be used to paint with.