How to Clean our Clothes & Reduce Our Environmental Impact. Activity: Print Making (Primary School)

How Does Cleaning our Clothes Harm The Environment?

Washing our clothes can harm our planet. Using the washing machine on hot temperatures and long cycles can release lots of CO2 into our atmosphere which causes global warming.

Washing our clothes too much also uses lots of water.

By washing our clothes made of synthetic (plastic) fibers, they are releasing micro-plastics into the ocean. Sea animals can get these plastics and get very sick.

By using our clothes dried, we are using lots of electricity which released C02 into the atmosphere causing global warming.

What Can We Do to Reduce our Environmental Impact When Cleaning Our Clothes?

1. Help your family to hang up your clothes on a clothes line. Drying clothes this way stops CO2 from entering our atmosphere.

2. Tell who ever does the washing in your house to wash less. Less washing = Less work.

3. When they do wash clothes, tell them to do a short wash and on a low temperature (30 degrees Celsius)

4. Use a washing bag to prevent the release of microplastics. This will help to save our sea life.

Washing your clothes less and drying on a clothing lines helps to save the environment by using less water, reducing C02 emissions and reducing microplastics. It will also mean that your clothes will keep its colour and shape for longer.

Activity: Print Making

Resources Needed:

Acrylic Paint

Paint Brushes

Paint Tray/Plates

Shaped Sponges

Old Denim or Cotton Clothes to Print On

Old Clothes to Wear

Apron

Old Waxed Table Cloth Which Can Be Reduced or Other Art Activities

Method:

Squeeze paints into tray.

Cover shaped sponge in paint.

Press straight down into clothing item for 3 seconds.

Use different colours for different sponges and create your own design.

Lessons:

Children will get a better appreciation for how clothes are made.

Telling children that by washing their upcycled creation on too hot a temperature and too often will remove the paint. This will remind children to wash their clothes less and reduce CO2 emissions.

Tell children that the top cannot be put in the clothes dryer or the paint will melt off. Remind them by air drying they are helping to save our environment.