How Organic Basics developed sustainable, self-washing underwear
www.standard.co.uk
When the Danes introduced the world to Hygge a few years ago, we were quick to jump on board a concept that promotes cosiness, comfortability and feelings of wellness and contentment.
Sometimes, it seems our Scandinavian neighbours can do no wrong, but it’s the Danes latest wellness product that we’re hesitant to jump on board with … yet.
Organic Basics are a clothing brand founded in 2015 with a mission to create ‘sustainable and better made basics’.
Mads Fibiger Rasmussen, Co-Founder of Organic Basics, tells the Standard: “We started out Organic Basics because we were sick of buying, wearing and throwing away underwear after a few months of wear.
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“We thought the standard of underwear was poor - and we also had knew that underwear brands weren’t exactly following good ethical and environmental standards. We decided that we could make better underwear and create them with an ethical conscious.”
Organic Basics recently made headlines in the UK after introducing a new range of basics – Silvertech Active –underwear and activewear that kills 99 per cent of bacteria while wearing which means you can go weeks without having to wash your underwear.
“Silvertech Active is made from premium Italian mechanically recycled nylon, seamlessly knit in Portugal and then treated with a safe and permanent, bluesign approved recycled silver salt called Polygiene,” Rasmussen explains.
“What that recycled silver salt does is inhibit the growth of odour forming bacteria on the fabric so it stays fresher for longer. You can treat pretty much anything with that treatment, including underwear.”
The ultimate goal here is to encourage the world to wash their clothes less, because the majority of the environmental impact a piece of clothing has comes from washing and drying it – using water and energy. Thus, washing clothing items less is one way to cut back on personal water usage and CO2 emissions.
Along with being better for the environment, Organis Basics pride themselves in producing higher quality clothing which is also consciously created and designed to last.
Rasmussen adds: “That’s our philosophy of making sustainable clothing. All our collections are made in ethical factories that pay their workers a fair wage. They’re made with more environmental-friendly fabrics like organic cotton and recycled materials.”
How often you wash your Organic Basics underwear is up to you, as Rasmussen points out, they are not stain proof, which means women who are menstruating might want to wash them more often when they have their period or if they have incontinence. Rasmussen has spoken to customers who have not washed their bras, tops and sports leggings for weeks and they remain fresh.
While the price point for the Silvertech Active range is a little steep for basics - £32 for underwear and £46 for bras – the quality of the fabric is high and less washes mean it will last longer.
Self-washing underwear may not be for everyone, but Organic Basics is a step in the right direction. Sustainable fashion is certainly the way forward.
www.standard.co.uk
When the Danes introduced the world to Hygge a few years ago, we were quick to jump on board a concept that promotes cosiness, comfortability and feelings of wellness and contentment.
Sometimes, it seems our Scandinavian neighbours can do no wrong, but it’s the Danes latest wellness product that we’re hesitant to jump on board with … yet.
Organic Basics are a clothing brand founded in 2015 with a mission to create ‘sustainable and better made basics’.
Mads Fibiger Rasmussen, Co-Founder of Organic Basics, tells the Standard: “We started out Organic Basics because we were sick of buying, wearing and throwing away underwear after a few months of wear.
“We thought the standard of underwear was poor - and we also had knew that underwear brands weren’t exactly following good ethical and environmental standards. We decided that we could make better underwear and create them with an ethical conscious.”
Organic Basics recently made headlines in the UK after introducing a new range of basics – Silvertech Active –underwear and activewear that kills 99 per cent of bacteria while wearing which means you can go weeks without having to wash your underwear.
“Silvertech Active is made from premium Italian mechanically recycled nylon, seamlessly knit in Portugal and then treated with a safe and permanent, bluesign approved recycled silver salt called Polygiene,” Rasmussen explains.
“What that recycled silver salt does is inhibit the growth of odour forming bacteria on the fabric so it stays fresher for longer. You can treat pretty much anything with that treatment, including underwear.”
The ultimate goal here is to encourage the world to wash their clothes less, because the majority of the environmental impact a piece of clothing has comes from washing and drying it – using water and energy. Thus, washing clothing items less is one way to cut back on personal water usage and CO2 emissions.
Along with being better for the environment, Organis Basics pride themselves in producing higher quality clothing which is also consciously created and designed to last.
Rasmussen adds: “That’s our philosophy of making sustainable clothing. All our collections are made in ethical factories that pay their workers a fair wage. They’re made with more environmental-friendly fabrics like organic cotton and recycled materials.”
How often you wash your Organic Basics underwear is up to you, as Rasmussen points out, they are not stain proof, which means women who are menstruating might want to wash them more often when they have their period or if they have incontinence. Rasmussen has spoken to customers who have not washed their bras, tops and sports leggings for weeks and they remain fresh.
While the price point for the Silvertech Active range is a little steep for basics - £32 for underwear and £46 for bras – the quality of the fabric is high and less washes mean it will last longer.
Self-washing underwear may not be for everyone, but Organic Basics is a step in the right direction. Sustainable fashion is certainly the way forward.
