Air-drying clothes in the summer is quite simple, hanging shirts and linens on picturesque laundry lines in the dry, warm air. When winter comes with its cold, wet days, it’s hard to imagine the line full of laundry in the backyard — but winter weather doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to start tumble-drying again.
Drying clothes in a dryer adds to the environmental impact of your laundry, as machine-drying makes up 75% of the total carbon footprint of laundry. Running the dryer also costs money — depending on the efficiency of the model and number of loads, it can cost a household between $100 and $200 a year.
While the warm summer sun might make it easier to line-dry clothes, laundry can still be line-dried in the winter, both inside and outdoors. Here’s how.
Line-Dry Clothes Outdoors
Yes, even in the coldest months of the winter, you can dry your clothes outside.
It’s possible because of a process called sublimation, whereby water turns from a solid to a gas without having a liquid phase. Essentially, it evaporates without turning to water first. Think of the way ice cubes get smaller in the freezer over time. It’s the same basic process as freeze-drying.
It’s best to dry outdoors on dry, sunny days if you can, and a little wind helps a lot. Even if the clothes don’t dry off completely outside, you can always finish off the process in the machine for a few minutes.
Your clothes might come off the line rather stiff, though. To prevent this, add about half a cup of vinegar near the end of the wash cycle, which cuts through the chemical residue from the detergent that makes dry clothes stiff.
Dry Indoors
Clothes drying on a rack indoors in New Westminster, British Columbia. Dennis Sylvester Hurd / Flickr
Drying clothes indoors can happen year-round with pretty minimal effort. It’s best if you have some drying rack or airer to hang clothes on — one that folds up, or one built into the wall. Some have multiple tiers, or additional sections that fold out to give you more space. You can also use lines that can be taken down after you’re finished.
Reduce Laundry Loads
As tempting as it might be to reduce the number of loads, don’t overfill the machine. The spin cycle will be more effective and remove more water from the clothes when there’s more space. Your clothes will be less damp when removed, putting them in a better position to dry quicker.
Take It for Another Spin
Another way to make sure that laundry is less wet when coming out of the washing machine: give it a second spin. Another spin cycle can get rid of excess moisture, and the extra energy to do that is negligible compared to a whole dryer cycle. While it sounds counterintuitive, you don’t necessarily want to set the spinner to a faster setting — a slower spin might actually work better to dry off clothes. After the last spin cycle, give the tub a good shake and a spin to get any excess water off.
Towel Them Off
Yes, with an actual towel. Wrap clothes up in the towel to absorb excess moisture before hanging them up. Lay the towel out flat, then lay a piece of clothing on top. Roll it up tightly, squeezing as you go, then roll it back out. This won’t remove all the water, of course, but especially for heavy items like sweaters or jeans, it’ll cut back on air-drying time
Spread Clothes Out
Hang things up right away to avoid giving them that damp, mildewy smells — and give them space on the drying rack or clothes line. They won’t dry as well if they’re overlapping, so leave an inch of room between each item if you can. If there isn’t enough space, hang items on hangers instead. You can suspend them from curtain rods or other places around the house — maybe from a tension rod in the frame of a seldom-used door. Some drying racks even have small holes on the sides to allow for hangers.
Use Other Heat to Dry
Even without the drying machine, other, less energy-intensive heat can be used to dry clothes. A heated clothes airer uses less energy than a tumble dryer, and can be folded up and put away. It also leaves clothes less wrinkled, so it’s good for those items that might need to be ironed after drying anyway.
For homes with radiators, you basically have a built-in heated clothes airer! Place your drying rack close to the radiator so it can take advantage of that heat, and your clothes will dry in a fraction of the time. If the radiator has a cover, lay items directly on top, flipping them after some time.
Keep in Rooms That Aren’t Humid
The last thing your drying laundry needs is more moisture. Avoid hanging clothes in damp basements, in a steamy bathroom, or the kitchen where the air can get moist from boiling water — unless there are efficient fans or other ventilation in those rooms. In humid seasons, a dehumidifier can remove excess moisture from the air. In a closed-off room with the machine running, clothes can dry pretty quickly.
Place Near a Window
Good ventilation and air flow is key. Leave the window open for a bit if you can on warmer winter days, or place the drying rack in a room that you don’t use much during the day. An open window is even more effective when paired with a fan to circulate air. Fans use much less energy than a dryer — the standard electricity usage is 33 watts, while clothes dryers are in the thousands.
Use Dryers Correctly
When you do use the dryer, use it as efficiently as possible to avoid wasting any energy. Clean the filter after every use to remove lint — even just a little impacts drying time. Once a year, clean the vents too, following the specific cleaning directions for your model.
To dry clothes faster, put a dry towel in with wet clothes during the first few minutes, then remove and hang it up to air-dry. Dryer balls can reduce drying times too by keeping clothes from sticking to each other, allowing air to circulate around them more easily.
The post Air-Drying Clothes in Winter? Yes, It’s Possible appeared first on EcoWatch.
https://www.ecowatch.com/air-drying-clothes-winter.html
There’s something undeniably special about wearing uniquely handcrafted, fair trade jewelry that you can know was made slowly and thoughtfully with care. Equally special is wearing an elevated set of jewelry crafted with recycled materials and sustainable processes.
Whether you’re looking for an investment piece or more affordable pieces, there are options for any budget on this list. The aesthetics of these fair trade and sustainable jewelry brands also vary, so you’ll also be able to discover an ethical brand that matches your unique style.
What is Fair Trade Jewelry?
Fair trade can both be a general term used to describe a brand’s sourcing practices — like direct relationships with artisan cooperatives, wages above local standard rates, and safe working conditions — or a third-party “Fair Trade” verification through an organization like Fair Trade Federation, Fair Trade USA, or World Fair Trade Organization. When a brand doesn’t have a certification, we verify a brand’s practices by their own published information.
In the cases where brands do go the extra mile and get a third-party verification for their fair trade practices, we’ve noted it directly in their entries.
Note that this guide includes affiliate links and partners. As always, we only feature brands that meet high standards for responsibility we love, and that we think you’ll love too!
2. Ana Luisa
Best for: affordable everyday jewelry
Conscious Qualities: Recycled Gold, Lab-Grown Diamonds, Small-Batch Production, Direct-to-Consumer
Ana Luisa creates stunning, elegant jewelry from responsibly-sourced materials including 100% recycled gold and lab-grown diamonds. The sustainable jewelry brand also produces in small batches to minimize waste.
By using a direct-to-consumer model, Ana Luisa is able to provide luxury, high-quality jewelry at accessible prices.
3. Monica Vinader
Best for: recycled demi-fine jewelry
Conscious Qualities: Woman-Founded, Recycled Silver & Gold Vermeil, Traceable Gemstones, Lab-Grown & Conflict-Free Diamonds, Supply Chain Transparency
Price Range: $85 (studs) – $2,495 (diamond ring)
British jewelry brand Monica Vinader was one of the first brands to meet the gap between fashion jewelry and fine jewelry with their “demi fine” jewelry. The women-founded brand has necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings crafted from 100% recycled sterling silver and gold vermeil, fully traceable gemstones, and lab-grown or conflict-free diamonds. Monica Vinader also launched Product Passports, taking an active effort towards full supply chain transparency.
4. WorldFinds
Best for: unique statement jewelry with a story
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade Verified, Upcycled Materials, Artisan-Made
WorldFinds provides sustainable employment and just wages for hundreds of women artisans in India and Bali. These artisans handcraft both sleek metal fair trade jewelry and unique recycled Kantha pieces. WorldFinds is Verified by the Fair Trade Federation, which assesses members against fair trade principles including fair wages, safe conditions, and transparent supply chains.
Plus WorldFinds’ signature Kantha jewelry is made from upcycling materials: wood scraps from a furniture factory and locally sourced Kantha fabric remnants.
5. Astor + Orion
Best for: drop earrings and charm necklaces with symbolism
Conscious Qualities: Certified Ethical Factory, Recycled Materials, Designed for Recyclability, Repair Program
Ethical jewelry brand Astor + Orion sources their jewelry from a factory with multiple certifications ensuring worker safety, fair production practices, and responsible environmental management. Astor + Orion’s stunning jewelry is made from recycled materials and designed in a way to make it easily recyclable! Their pieces also come with a quality assurance — the brand will repair any piece within 6 months of purchase.
6. Laura Elizabeth
Best for: non-toxic jewelry in organic shapes
Conscious Qualities: Locally Sourced Recycled Metals, Woman-Owned, Fair Wages, Safe Working Conditions
Price Range: $45 – $330
Crafted from recycled metals sourced locally in LA, Laura Elizabeth creates stand-out sustainable jewelry. All of the brand’s jewelry is sourced ethically from a small, woman-owned studio in Los Angeles that ensures reasonable working hours (35 hr/week), fair wages, and safe working conditions (such as proper ventilation). Check out more on Laura Elizabeth in this post!
The jewelry is also non-toxic, free of cadmium or lead.
7. Ten Thousand Villages
Best for: giftable fair trade jewelry
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade Production, Artisan-Made
Price Range: $6 – $175
Founded in 1946, Ten Thousand Villages is one of the fair trade pioneers and a founding member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), the global network that verifies fair trade practices across its member organizations.
They’ve developed relationships with artisans around the world, providing valuable economic opportunities for thousands of makers in 30 countries around the world. Their marketplace has handmade necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings, along with a variety of other fair trade goods.
8. Edge of Ember
Best for: gemstone jewelry
Conscious Qualities: Recycled Gold & Silver, Artisan-Made, Ethical Production
Price Range: $49 (ear cuff) – $2,730 (diamond tennis bracelet)
Edge of Ember’s timeless jewelry is responsibly crafted by makers working in artisan groups and small-scale factories. Their delicate necklaces, bracelets, rings, and other pieces are crafted by skilled artisans in India, Hong Kong, Germany, and Thailand. The brand carries out independent social audits to ensure ethical working conditions and environmental responsibility.
Edge of Ember has a wide selection of recycled gold and silver rings, bracelets, and necklaces adorned with stunning gemstones, including many birthstone jewelry options perfect for gifting.
9. Aurate
Best for: ethical diamond fine jewelry
Conscious Qualities: 100% Recycled Gold, Lab-Grown & Conflict-Free Diamonds, Vintage Collection
Price Range: $18 (stainless steel chain) – $19,000 (diamond tennis necklace)
Responsibly-sourced quality jewelry — that’s Aurate’s promise. The jewelry brand’s sleek, timeless pieces are thoughtfully made by seventh-generation craftspeople using 100% recycled gold and lab-grown or conflict-free diamonds.
Aurate also has a curated collection of vintage fine jewelry from cocktail watches to signet rings up to 50% off.
10. SOKO
Best for: modern, minimalist artisan-made jewelry
Conscious Qualities: Above-Market Artisan Wages, Black-Owned
Price Range: $78 – $298
SOKO is an innovative Black-owned ethical jewelry brand using mobile tools to bridge the barriers for artisan entrepreneurs in Kenya. In partnership with SOKO, independent artisans can operate a “virtual factory”, earning 5x more than an average artisan workshop in their local areas.
The jewelry is made with 24K gold or silver-plated brass — an affordable metal that also happens to consist of 90% recycled content on average. Other materials include reclaimed horn and bone, locally-sourced teak wood offcuts, and ceramic beads made by a fair trade women’s collective in Kenya.
10. Raven + Lily
Best for: affordable artisan jewelry
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade Verified, Artisan-Made, Women-Led
Price Range: $40 – $240
Raven + Lily is an ethical fashion and jewelry brand verified Fair Trade by the Fair Trade Federation. The women-led brand partners with artisan women around the world who use natural materials to craft both classic, elegant pieces and statement jewelry.
11. NAKIIT
Best for: one-of-a-kind, solo-handcrafted pieces
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-Order, Recycled Silver & Gold, Zero-Waste Scrap Recycling
Price Range: $21 – $485
As a small, slow-minded jewelry brand, NAKIIT’s founder + owner handcrafts each piece with intention. In fact, every piece of jewelry the brand sells is made by the founder herself!
Nearly all of NAKIIT’s ethically-made jewelry is either made-to-order or one-of-a-kind, ensuring a minimal ecological impact and the highest attention to quality.
As if we could love this brand even more, NAKIIT also sources recycled sterling silver and gold, plus recycles any remaining metal scraps or dust after production.
You May Also Want to Check Out:
Best Fair Trade Fashion Brands With Style and Heart
Affordable Ethical Fashion Brands
Consciously Curated Marketplaces for One-Stop Ethical Shopping
The post 11 Best Fair Trade and Sustainable Jewelry Brands That Shine appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
11 Best Fair Trade and Sustainable Jewelry Brands That Shine
It’s time to leave fast fashion in the dust — with one-of-a-kind designs, quality fabrics, and the assurance your dollars are supporting a more responsible fashion industry, these slow fashion brands are sure to win you over.
Before we go any further, though, I think we need to clarify what exactly slow fashion is…
What Do I Mean By “Slow Fashion?”
Slow fashion is about being more mindful and thoughtful about how clothing (and other fashion items) are being produced, how they’re being purchased, and how they’re being used/worn.
Instead of mass-producing trend-driven garments cheaply and quickly, slow fashion production is about creating a piece to last by using high-quality materials, transitional designs (i.e. they migth be contemporary but they’re not super “trendy”), and durable construction.
For individuals, slow fashion purchasing habits means buying less, but better. A slow fashion mindset is all about choosing well — it’s about picking well-made items that are built to last and also selecting pieces that fit your lifestyle and body well, to ensure they’ll not only be durable but will actually be useful for years to come.
Adopting slow fashion in your life, though, doesn’t necessarily have to mean spending money — this concept is also about slowing down to appreciate your clothes and closet. Slow fashion can mean wearing what you have as much as possible, mending and repairing worn clothing, or upcycling an even sewing your own clothes.
For more, read “What is Slow Fashion, Really?”
While slow fashion is a term that’s often used quite generally, it’s important to note that there are fast fashion brands that might have some organic or recycled clothing. Those did not make the list!
Slow fashion companies to me — and the criteria used to select brands for this guide — are brands that produce in smaller batches, make most of their pieces by hand, craft each piece with attention to detail and quality, and ideally, partner with skilled artisans, sewers, and craftspeople (who are of course fairly paid).
Now without further ado, here are our picks for…
My Top Picks for Slow Fashion Brands
To be clear: you do not need to purchase from slow fashion brands to participate in slow fashion. However, when the time comes that you want to add a new piece to your wardrobe, you probably want your dollars to go towards supporting responsible brands that are doing things better; that are producing with quality and intention.
You want to invest in pieces for the long-haul — and pieces that have a positive impact. And these slow fashion brands will help you do just that.
Note that this article features affiliate links which help us continue to run this independent site. As always, we only feature brands that meet high standards for sustainability that we love — and that we think you’ll love too!