The consumer
Joe firmly believes that sustainability starts at home. And we like to instil that belief in our customers. It is well known that the fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters, and fast fashion especially. Consumers can contribute by not falling for fast fashion, by making conscious choices and by going for quality. Taking good care of your clothes is just as important. Here are some tips on how to handle you Joe’s so they will last you a long time (for more details, go to our maintenance page).
Airing
One of the good qualities of Merino wool is that it is antibacterial and makes you sweat less. No sweat, no smell! So you see, there’s no need to wash our Joe’s frequently. Just let them air overnight. Simplest way to save water and energy!
Washing and ironing
Still, you have to wash your Joe every once in a while. Not just to get rid of stubborn stains, but also to chase off the moths. Moths love stains (proteins), stains that are not always visible to the human eye.
Washing a Joe is simple. Set the wool programme to 30 degrees and make sure the spin cycle does not exceed 600 rpm. Use a (little) wool detergent, and don’t mix wool and other fabrics. Lay Joe flat to dry. Some gentle ironing will make your Joe feel soft and like new. After washing wool goes back to its natural curly state, which could make you think that your Joe has shrunk. Put your iron on ‘wool’ (preferably use a steam iron). Do not iron the cuffs and edges.
Pilling
Joe does everything it can to avoid pilling. We use low-pilling yarn of long fibres, limit the use of chemicals and are very careful with the washing. That’s why Joe’s rarely pill, only when they rub against hard objects. Try to avoid contact with coarse materials like your car’s safety belt, your desk, backpack or rough lining of your coat. But if need be, you can always remove pilling with a lint shaver. Or drop by one of our stores and we’ll do it for you. Please get in touch with us if you have the idea that the pilling is all over, not just in a few places.
Storage
How and where you store your Joe’s is important for their survival. If you wear your Joe on a regular basis, it’s best to air it on a clothes hanger. Unlike moths, Joe likes a bit of fresh air. But if you keep your Joe’s stacked in a dark corner of your closet, the moths will thank you. You could also put a bar of soap between your woollen garments. The fragrance will ward off the moths. During periods when you don’t wear your Joe’s, for instance in summer, keep your freshly washed Joe’s in a closed box, like the one from our Maintenance Kit. This is the best way to keep out moths. Never leave your Joe’s unwashed in a corner for long periods – that’s practically an open invitation to moths.
Free repair service
Accidents happen, and so will holes in your Joe. The good news is that we will be happy to mend your Joe.
But – and this is an important but: We cannot mend Joes with more than three holes (chances are you have moths living in your wardrobe); worn elbows; and Joe shirts and polo shirts (the yarn is just too fine to mend).
If you would like us to mend your Joe, please get in touch first, by email at [email protected] or by phone at +31(0)20-8208080. We will always try to find a solution that suits you.
Recycling
We are currently developing a system that will make it easy and effortless for customers to return ‘old’ Joes that are no longer salvageable. That way we can recycle even more wool in the future. Please keep an eye out for updates on this page.
