Aaron Newport

At GreenEarth Cleaning, we have spent the past decade immersing ourselves in sustainable fashion. This journey has led us to discover and curate a list of the top five fair trade and eco-friendly clothing brands organized by budget. As we become more conscious about our purchases, we must consider the origins and impact of the clothes we wear. Our spending choices can either support or harm the people and resources involved in making our clothing. Choosing sustainable fashion, and even better, secondhand options, can significantly reduce the detrimental effects of fast fashion on our planet. Why Wear Sustainable Clothing? If you’re new to sustainable fashion, you may be surprised by the price tags. However, it’s important to understand that these brands are not meant to be consumed at the same rate as fast fashion. Sustainable fashion brands prioritize eco-friendly practices, ethical production standards, timeless design, and high-quality essentials that last. Unlike fast fashion items that often need replacing every season, these pieces are designed to be worn for years. When it’s time to update our wardrobes, we turn to slow fashion brands. Each of the five brands listed below is committed to ethical and transparent garment production, considering both people and the planet. Many of these brands have third-party sustainable and ethical certifications. Creating a more sustainable wardrobe doesn’t require buying everything new at once. Start with what you have, mend pieces you love, and build your closet slowly and intentionally. Top Sustainable Fashion Brands tentree Best For: Cozy, casual essentials Sustainability: Fair Trade certified ethical manufacturing Size Range: XS–XXL tentree makes Earth-first essentials using sustainable materials. For every item purchased, ten trees are planted, with over 73 million trees planted to date. The brand offers lifestyle and loungewear made from Tencel, hemp, and organic cotton. Tentree’s commitment to the environment and community is evident in every piece.   Pact Best For: Fair trade organic cotton basics Sustainability: Fair Trade Certified, organic cotton, recycled & biodegradable packaging, donation program for used clothes Size Range: XS–2XL; up to US 20 Pact is dedicated to making super-soft sustainable clothes for kids and adults that also benefit the world. The brand ensures its entire supply chain, from growing organic cotton to final sewing, is responsible and clean. Pact is our go-to for basics and underwear, offering carbon-offset shipping for a more sustainable purchase. Kotn Best For: Egyptian cotton wardrobe staples Sustainability: Organic cotton, safe & fair labor standards, plastic-free packaging, nontoxic dyes, gives back to Egyptian communities Size Range: XXS–XXL; up to US 16 Kotn offers luxury basics made from Egyptian cotton. The brand creates garments in a fair and safe environment and helps suppliers transition to organic cotton. As a certified B Corp, Kotn has impacted over 100,000 lives in Egypt by building schools and funding farms. Its high-quality tees are designed to last beyond 30 wears. Fair Indigo Best For: Organic basics Sustainability: Organic cotton, safe dyes, fair wages, artisan-made, gives back via Fair Indigo Foundation Size Range: XS–XL; up to US 18 Fair Indigo focuses on creating long-lasting clothes, like the Forever Organic Tees made from organic Peruvian Pima cotton. The brand’s garments are made with sustainability and ethical practices in mind, offering affordable organic basics and artisan-made accessories. Quince Best For: Affordable silk & cashmere Sustainability: BCSI-certified ethical production, sustainable & organic materials, OEKO-TEX certified, virgin plastic-free Size Range: XS–XL; up to US 16 Quince aims to make ethical and eco-friendly clothing accessible to everyone. The brand offers versatile, effortless basics like Mulberry silk tops and cashmere cardigans, all delivered in plastic-free packaging. Quince’s mission is to make sustainability the standard, not a luxury. Making a Sustainable Choice Embracing sustainable fashion means making informed choices about what we wear. By choosing brands committed to ethical practices and environmental sustainability, we can reduce the impact of our wardrobe on the planet. To ensure your new sustainable purchases stay fresh and last longer, bring them to your nearest GreenEarth Affiliate store. Our eco-friendly cleaning methods protect your garments and extend their lifespan, allowing you to enjoy your thoughtfully chosen pieces for years to come. Visit our store locator to find the closest GreenEarth Affiliate and experience the difference our gentle, planet-friendly cleaning can make.

“The Earth is what we all have in common.” In a year when our differences have certainly been on full display and we often need to be reminded we have more in common than what divides us, the quote from American author and poet, Berry Wendell feels even more impactful on this trip around the sun.  It’s why, since the beginning, our mission statement has been doing business without doing harm. It’s our goal to provide the best possible fabric care with the lowest overall environmental impact. It’s also why the month of April continues to be a landmark month for us. While our Network of over 2,000 dry cleaners worldwide spends 365 days out of the year working to minimize our carbon footprint, Earth Month brings us the opportunity to celebrate those accomplishments and lay out goals to improve upon them for the year to come.  Simply by choosing your local GreenEarth dry cleaner, you too are having a positive impact on our planet. Not only will your clothes and household items be cleaned in the most sustainable way possible by the industry’s leading best-in-class professionals, but you’re also extending the life cycle of those garments and reducing the amount of textile waste making its way to landfills. Because GreenEarth isn’t just good for the environment, it’s gentle on garments too, allowing them to look newer longer.  Start to finish, the GreenEarth Cleaning system marks off all of the boxes for sustainability and that is by no accident. From the environmentally non-toxic solvent at the core of the system, to working to reduce utility usage, to coordinating national clothes drives preventing landfill waste, our team will continue to improve our sustainability initiatives and leave a better planet for generations to follow.  So here we are, calling on you to join us in celebrating Earth Month by making a commitment to put an end to fast fashion and join the sustainable fashion movement. It can all start by making the decision to care for your textiles sustainably, using your local GreenEarth cleaner.

The significance of diversifying your business has never been more prevalent than it is in the current state of our global economy. We’ve witnessed businesses around the world—not only in dry cleaning but in all retail spaces—dependent on over-the-counter sales with no other source of revenue, forced to shutter their doors. It’s an unfortunate case, but it’s the reality of the situation. Those businesses that quickly adapted and diversified—if they were not already—have in large part been able to weather the storm.  In the early weeks of 2020, prior to the onslaught of the COVID-19 virus, GreenEarth partnered with a Brooklyn suit retailer, 9tofive. This partnership of course was slowed down due to public restrictions, but we’ve continued to grow our partnership and have introduced relationships between 9tofive and several Affiliates across the country, providing an opportunity for additional revenue for 9tofive as well as our Affiliates. The service offered by GreenEarth Affiliates for 9tofive customers is the tailoring of the suits purchased online, as well as one dry cleaning paid for by 9tofive.  For years, alterations have been an excellent method for diversifying your business, reaching a new audience, and optimizing your existing customers’ spend. Even through this past year, many of our Affiliates have reported alterations as one of the contributing factors in their ability to remain open and bring customers to their store. Whether those customers have purchased items online, they’re getting married, they’ve gained weight, they’ve lost weight, or maybe they’ve saved some money this year and have acquired some high-dollar garments they want to fit perfectly, there is a need for alteration services.  We recently spoke with GreenEarth Affiliate and the owner of Kingbridge Cleaners in NYC, Richie Aviles. Kingbridge operates a large, upscale tailoring business as a part of their store. Richie shared some of his thoughts with us in regard to his tailoring business. “Being able to provide pickup and delivery and having different types of customers through TV shows and hotels were all things that saw us through the pandemic. But alterations were also a huge part of that. Dry cleaning pieces unilaterally changed in volume, but the tailoring business was interesting because people weren’t buying clothes, they were sitting at home wearing Lululemon. Maybe they were gaining or losing weight, or only shopping online and unable to buy the correct size. So naturally, their next stop was to the tailor. I don’t want to say that our tailoring business was gangbusters. Volume dropped off significantly, but tailoring sales have really helped through COVID as contributing to overhead. Even prior to COVID, we have certain customers that come to us because we can tailor and clean their garments; we’re a one-stop-shop. Having all your eggs in one basket is incredibly dangerous, having multiple means of income hedges your risk. Diversifying our business has allowed us to be very positive for what the future will hold.” Understandably, we’ve all experienced the overwhelming feeling of uncertainty. The question of “how do we get through this?” has been front and center in everyone’s mind. There’s clearly no one simple answer to that question, but from the thousands of conversations we’ve had with GreenEarth Affiliates over the course of the last 10 months, there has been a common theme around those cleaners who have been able to weather the storm, and that is finding ways to diversify your business in order to drive some sort of revenue. 

As 2020 has come and gone, most of us are looking back on it as a year we’d like to soon forget. For most industries, business took a hard hit. State departments recorded record-high numbers of American citizens filing for unemployment. Hospitals around the world literally ran out of space. Family gatherings, vacations, concerts, and shopping outings were canceled. Oddly enough, it took no time at all for folks to realize social media and virtual web applications, the technology that has been largely accused of the demise of human interaction, was in fact our most personal means of communication and the only way for small businesses to reach their customers. It’s safe to say that 2020 was the most pivotal year in any working adult’s life. Cocktail hours amongst friends were taking place in their own separate living rooms. Grandma was able to watch her Christmas gifts being opened through a camera on her phone. Businesses were using state-of-the-art technology to conduct meetings, training, collaborating on projects, and communicating with their customer. People were forced to adapt to a new normal and our primary coping mechanism was technology and social media platforms. We saw countless stories of neighbors, including many GreenEarth Affiliates, stepping up to make a positive impact in their community through food drives, clothes drives, offering free services to first responders, and any other number of good deeds. The movement to support locally owned small businesses experienced a massive push. Communities were truly pulling together to see each other to the end of this pandemic. It warmed our hearts to see these stories and was the reminder of humanity we all needed to see. Without social media, how many of these stories would have gone further than those directly involved?  Understanding where our audience is, we’ve assisted dozens of GreenEarth Members in creating a strong online presence, using social media platforms to build relationships within their community and grow local awareness around their brand. Now more than ever, social media marketing is an integral part of operating a business. If you’re a GreenEarth Affiliate reading this, you can learn more about how our marketing team can assist you here.  I say all this simply to say—2020 was rough. But together we got through it, and we’re stronger for it. We’ve learned how to make some major pivots in our work and personal lives, and we’ve realized how important it is to support our local communities. As much as we’d all like to forget the year that was, maybe it’s vital we never do. All the same, cheers to 2021, may it be filled with smiles and laughter.

It was the summer of 2010 and everyone was anxiously awaiting the release of Toy Story 3; it was a simpler time. Apple launched its state-of-the-art virtual chat app FaceTime, which initially required a WiFi signal for use. From that point on, grandparents everywhere would ask, “Is this thing on?” and frustratingly attempt to unmute themselves. Once again, thanks to technology, our world was forever changed. Fast forward nearly a decade, leading up to 2020, our video chat capabilities had vastly improved and our application options seemed limitless. The digitization of our work environment was already in full swing. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, that adoption was thrown into warp speed with businesses scrambling to adapt to a socially-distant world. These video chat applications came in clutch. Working from home was the “new normal” and traveling to clients for in-person meetings was limited to essential business. Most companies implemented virtual meetings and learned how to conduct “business as usual” remotely, using whatever technology necessary to accomplish their day-to-day tasks. Microsoft Teams, various Google Apps, Zoom, and any other number of applications that allowed employees to interact with each other and share working projects became an integral part of how workplaces operate. A key ingredient to GreenEarth Cleaning’s success has always been our expert technical team. The pandemic posed a big challenge to continue to provide a high level of support to Members of the GreenEarth Network all over the world. Video support was not unheard of for us, but it was not the primary medium for providing assistance either. Virtual Visits are the “new normal” for our technical team, and our Affiliates are finding great value in them. Our team has mastered the experience to provide our Members with the same level of technical guidance and support that we’ve maintained throughout the years. As our world is changing at an even more rapid pace than ever before, business models are forced to pivot to a new way of thinking. This means different things for different companies, but for us, it’s shifted our focus to online workshop sessions and Virtual Visits—the bridge between a voice-only phone call and an in-person visit. To all GreenEarth Affiliates, make sure to save your spot on the calendar. Simply call our main office at 816-926-0895 or email techncial@greenearthcleaning.com.

If your initial thought is, “Wait, I thought dry cleaning was for clothes. You can dry clean my household?” The short answer is, yes, we absolutely can dry clean your household. And you’re not alone; we’re met with surprising intrigue often when discussing the topic. Whether it be linens, comforters, curtains, tablecloths, patio furniture—the list is endless really. If you can bring the fabric in, your local GreenEarth cleaner can professionally clean and sanitize it for you. The all-encompassing term known in the dry cleaning world is “household items.” In fact, some GreenEarth cleaners even practice on-site interior cleaning with larger furniture that is not necessarily mobile. Many of you veteran dry cleaning customers are well aware of the services your favorite GreenEarth cleaner provides. Hopefully, you’re also aware your GreenEarth cleaner is using a gentle, environmentally non-toxic, odorless cleaning system that will not only leave your fabrics clean but also fresh and rejuvenated without the concern of toxic chemicals entering your home. But did you know almost all GreenEarth cleaners are practicing social-distancing efforts to provide an extra measure of cleanliness and most importantly, comfort, which is paramount during these uncomfortable times, especially when it comes to your family? In many situations, complimentary contactless pick-up and delivery is available. Other cleaners have a drive-thru, drop-box, or locker systems that allow you to remain at a safe distance. Where these options are not available, you can typically park and call for curbside service. Cleaning household items on a regular schedule is important to prevent odors and bugs like clothes moths from entering your home. Equally as important, it also improves the air quality of the space you and your family spend the most time. And let’s be honest, fresh linens and curtains create an unmatched sense of tranquility. Regardless of “current times,” sending your household items, especially those in high traffic areas, to be professionally cleaned frequently can protect the health of you and your family. Now with concerns around germs at an all-time high, maintaining a clean and sanitary environment is more important than ever. In between cleanings at your local GreenEarth cleaner, there are some things you can do yourself at home, like fluffing your pillows daily, vacuuming your interior textiles with the handheld nozzle attachment to remove dust, and most importantly, regularly inspecting your household items for clothes moths, mildew, sun fading, etc.

If you’ve been unfortunate enough to experience clothes moths, you’ll want to read this article. If you haven’t experienced clothes moths, but enjoy wearing wool, fur, silk, leather, or any other animal fibers, you’ll want to read this article. Clothes moths are pests that feed exclusively on animal fibers and can destroy your favorite garments. At GreenEarth Cleaning, as a leader in the garment care industry, we receive all sorts of questions related to caring for clothes. Clothes moths are a concern that has been brought to our attention countless times—and for good reason. These things are nasty. Taking a proactive approach to warding off clothes moths is always the best course of action. Simply monitoring your garments is key. It’s so easy to let a drawer full of wool sweaters sit boxed in for a year, but that is a recipe for disaster. You really need to be taking them out to inspect and clean at least three times per year, even if you haven’t worn them. Dry cleaning them using a GreenEarth cleaner is the best way to care for them safely. Other ways you can help prevent clothes moths would be to periodically clean your home in areas that aren’t easy to clean and oftentimes do not get cleaned, like under heavy furniture and along baseboards and cracks. Also storing your off-season clothes in airtight containers will prevent infestations. What to do if it’s too late and you’ve already discovered an infestation? Remove everything from the infested area, place all clothes in a tightly tied bag, and take them to your nearest GreenEarth cleaner. Next, you will need to thoroughly clean out the infested area with a vacuum. Throw the vacuum bag away. If there are rugs or carpet in the infested area, that will need to be cleaned professionally as well. Clothes moths are nasty and probably a bit scary. But there is no need to panic. With the help of a GreenEarth cleaner, you can remove them and have your closet back to normal in no time. This may seem like we’re just pushing GreenEarth cleaners, but it’s simply the truth. Dry cleaning has been researched and learned to be the best way to not only remove moths but bed bugs, mold, and other pathogens like bacteria and viruses. GreenEarth is also gentle on garments and will not damage delicate fabrics like wool and silk. Not to mention, it’s is the only environmentally non-toxic, odorless, allergen-free dry cleaning method available. thewirecutter.com ipm.ucanr.edu entomology.ca.uky.edu

With less than three weeks under my belt as part of the GreenEarth Team, I stepped foot onto the Clean Show floor for the first time bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. And man, I have to be honest, I was blown away. Let’s just say, that is not what your customer envisions when they hear the words “dry cleaning.” It is quite the spectacle, and what an exciting introduction into the industry! Digital marketing is a world I understood, but I was eager to learn everything I could about dry cleaning to better serve our Affiliates as well as the GreenEarth Brand as a whole. Lucky for me, I was surrounded by the incredible team at GreenEarth to show me the ropes. Over the last four years and some months, I’ve learned invaluable lessons from not only our team here but also our Affiliates around the globe. As I grew to understand the work and passion that has gone into building the brand that is GreenEarth Cleaning over the last 20 years and how much that brand means to our Affiliates and their customers, my own passion for the brand grew. I can recall discovering some misinformation on Wikipedia in my first couple of months and entering into a “wikiwar” with one of their content managers. My blood was boiling and I could feel the steam rolling out of my ears. That might be the moment when I realized this was a brand I really cared about and felt compelled to do my part in its continued growth. Preventing toxic chemicals entering the environment, reducing landfill waste, and eliminating air pollution are goals GreenEarth Cleaning set out to achieve 20 years ago. Sharing the desire to minimize our carbon footprint has been the key ingredient in building our brand, not only in the garment care industry but also in the garment manufacturing industry, the commercial real estate industry, and especially in our efforts marketing to the dry cleaning customer—the end user. We are seeing more and more care labels recommending GreenEarth, more and more landlords accepting GreenEarth as the only dry cleaning option on their properties, and more and more customers searching for cleaners near them using GreenEarth on our Store Locator. We’re accomplishing this recognition through social media, PR, digital ad campaigns, philanthropic efforts to support organizations like Bridging The Gap, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Water.Org, and most importantly, our Affiliate Network. Over 2,000 dry cleaners around the world using GreenEarth to effectively clean all types of garments and fabrics in a way that is safe for them, their employees, and their customers kind of says it all. Long story short, my experience in marketing and digital advertising led me to GreenEarth, and I couldn’t have planned it better myself. I get to work with an amazing team of people, the best dry cleaners in the world, and do what I love to do. When the product speaks for itself, it makes the marketing guy’s job a lot easier!

I’m usually stuffing my face with turkey and mashed potatoes, then watching football while I lie on the couch in a food coma during Thanksgiving, but this year I had the pleasure of experiencing a bit of Portuguese culture over the extended break. And what an interesting and thought-provoking culture it is! The city of Lisbon is riddled with artists and storytellers, all sharing the tragic memories of their past and warning of future catastrophes we can all see slowly occurring right before our eyes. A cry to save the ocean was loud and clear at the Museum of Art, Architecture, & Technology (MAAT). As attendees to MAAT enter the breathtaking, futuristic building, the installation that immediately grabs their undivided attention is titled “Over Flow,” a work created by Japanese artist Tadashi Kawamata. Most spectators’ initial thought is undoubtedly “Why is there a pile of garbage in the art museum?” But as those onlookers continue to gaze upon the installation, they start to recognize its intricate placement and repetitive nuances. Rounding the corner, down the ramp, beneath the net of garbage, the shadows create an underwater-like environment; sunken boats rest on the lower level, below a net of rubbish and unacceptable truth. One immediately realizes the powerful message behind the work. Kawamata worked in collaboration for over a year with a large network of local organizations and volunteers, gathering trash from around the beaches of Lisbon and assembling the piece of art square by square in a strategically thought-out pattern, to help create this awe-inspiring, truly immersive installation. “Over Flow” raises awareness to an ongoing problem, which could result in catastrophe. The only thing I could think while standing engulfed in the artist-created seascape of garbage was “We can do better; we have to do better.” I think Kawamata accomplished his mission. The post Save the Ocean Through Art appeared first on GreenEarth Cleaning.