Maintain, repair and return.
We stand for sustainability and longevity. That's why we make timeless fashion that will accompany you for many years. Because the longer the life cycle of a piece of clothing, the more sustainable it is.
That's why we're showing here how you can best repair and care for your clothes. And how you can ensure that discarded clothing is sustainably returned to the fashion cycle.
#1 Grooming.
If clothing is properly cared for, it will last longer. Here you can find out everything you need to know about caring for our natural fibres. We will also show you how you can save energy. So you can enjoy your favorite items for a long time and protect your wallet and the environment.
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wash sign
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energy saving tips
Load the washing machine correctly
A half-loaded machine uses 50 to 70% more energy per kg of fabric than a fully loaded machine with the same programme.prewash
A pre-wash increases energy consumption by 15 to 20%.main wash
Based on a washing temperature of 40°C- reducing the washing temperature to 30°C saves about 30% energy
- a temperature of 60°C consumes about 50% more energy
- a temperature of 90°C requires more than double the energy
Sling
Spinning uses significantly less electricity than heating the dryer.dry
Dry laundry on a clothesline or drying rack. -
Organic cotton
After washing, pull clothing made of cotton jersey into shape while still damp and pay attention to the washing temperature to prevent shrinkage. -
virgin wool
It couldn't be easier to care for: New wool is naturally dirt-repellent, ie minor dirt can be brushed out and odors disappear when aired. If washing is necessary, hand washing or a cold wool wash with our organic mild detergent for wool clothing is recommended. Then carefully pull the clothing into shape and let it air dry lying flat. -
precious hair
Naturally easy to care for: Fine hair, like new wool, is naturally dirt-repellent, ie minor dirt can be brushed out and odors disappear when aired. If washing is necessary for care, hand washing or a cold wool wash with our organic mild detergent for wool clothing is recommended. Then carefully pull the clothing into shape and let it air dry lying flat. -
hemp
To clean hemp fibers gently, we recommend low temperatures of up to 30°C. After washing, pull into shape when damp and air dry out of direct sunlight. -
silk
We generally recommend washing silk by hand or on a cold wool cycle. Do not wring out the silk. When airing or drying, it is better not to expose silk to direct sunlight. It is also important not to sprinkle water on silk (e.g. when ironing) and not to treat stains with water. Also, avoid spraying perfume or deodorant directly onto the fabric. We have developed a high-yield organic mild detergent for silk clothing especially for the demands of this noble fibre. -
linen
Amazingly dirt-repellent: so that they remain beautiful for a long time, only wash linen clothing at the specified temperature and spin it a little. Gently reshape after wash and air dry. Ironing tip: Iron inside out with a steam iron or while still slightly damp. -
Modal
Clothing made from this sustainable fiber only needs to be washed at 30°C on a gentle cycle and will not shrink. It is best to iron inside out at medium temperature. -
bedding
We recommend fluffing duvets and pillows regularly and airing them in humid air (morning air, fog, rain). Avoid direct sunlight. In addition, beds with fillings made of plant fibers (cotton, nettle, kapok) or down can be washed on a gentle cycle in special large-capacity machines. If bedding is not used for a long time, have it cleaned and protected from moths. -
shoes
Treat new shoes with shoe care before wearing them for the first time. Use solvent-free care products based on natural raw materials. Allow the shoes to rest on a shoe tree for a day after wearing them. After 24 hours, leather must be given the opportunity to slowly release the stored moisture. Otherwise the formation of athlete's foot is favored and white "sweat marks" can form along the upper material.
Clean smooth leather regularly with a matching shoe polish and polish with a soft cloth.
Refresh suede leather with a copper brush or foam sponge.
Treat textile shoes with soapy water or clear water. After washing shoes, put them on stretchers so that they do not deform when drying. Important: Textile shoes do not belong in the washing machine.
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stains
Stain removal requires patience and a careful approach.
basic rules:1. Remove stains as soon as they appear and before washing.
2. First make a test in a hidden area and work inwards from the edge of the stain.
3. Dab instead of rub to avoid damaging the fabric.It is best to pre-treat old stains with a stain remover and then wash as usual.
Mineral water often helps with fresh stains . Soak the stain for about 10 minutes and dab gently.
Fresh beer stains are simply treated with lukewarm water and soap. If they have already dried up, alcohol and water will help.
Blood, ink, rust : leave the mixture of salt and lemon juice on the stain for about 10-12 minutes. Then rinse carefully with cold water.
Never rub pollen with hot water and a cloth, but tap and vacuum off first. Then treat with spirit and then rinse with warm water.
Grease and oil stains: leave curd soap on for 10 minutes and then rinse off with hot water.
Rub out felt-tip and ballpoint pen stains with denatured alcohol.
Rinse vegetable stains in clear water first. Then rub with gall soap, leave to take effect and wash normally in the washing machine. Note: First check the color fastness on an inconspicuous area!
Simply rinse coffee stains with cold water first. Then sprinkle with baking powder or baking soda. After soaking, apply a little warm water over the stain again. Allow to soak in repeatedly and then machine wash normally.
Cool the chewing gum as quickly as possible (e.g. with ice cubes or put it in the freezer) so that it hardens. Then the chewing gum mass can usually be removed without any problems.
Glue on textiles: If the glue is water-soluble, the stain can usually be removed with a simple machine wash. If the glue is not water-soluble, pre-treatment with nail polish remover or benzine often helps.
The best way to remove lipstick is with alcohol. Soak a paper handkerchief or cotton wool in alcohol and then dab the lipstick.
Vinegar or lemon juice will help with fruit stains , then rinse well.
Lemon juice is the best remedy for grass stains on textiles.
Soot usually does not penetrate far into the textile. So don't rub it in, but first tap it out and blow it away. If necessary, sprinkle salt on the stain, leave to work and then wash in the machine.
First remove the chocolate with a sharp object (e.g. knife). Then use detergent and then rinse with warm water.
#2 Fix.
If something needs to be repaired - no problem. We'll show you step by step how to darn holes, sew on buttons, repair broken seams and much more. This extends the lifespan of your favorite items, saves resources and reduces clothing waste.
Do you still need a suitable button for the repair? Then feel free to contact our Customer Service and we will help you with a selection of our common knobs.
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1. Plug the hole
1. Thread the darning yarn through a needle and fix it to the fabric (knot)
2. Pull parallel longitudinal threads, start approx. 1 cm from the edge of the hole
3. Pull the transverse threads alternately over and under the longitudinal threads, starting approx. 1 cm from the edge of the hole
4. Knot the thread on the underside of the fabric -
2. Sew on the button
Sew-through button with 2 or 4 holes:
1. Mark the position of the button
2. Thread the sewing thread through a needle and fix it to the fabric (knot)
3. hang up button
4. First pull the thread through one buttonhole
5. then pull it back through the other buttonhole and fabric
6. repeat several times
7. Knot the thread on the underside of the fabric -
3. Sew on button with stem
A small "stem" prevents tension in the fabric and ensures that the button closes better and does not pop open.
2 or 4 hole sew-through button:
1. Mark the position of the button
2. Thread the sewing thread through a needle and fix it to the fabric (knot)
3. Hang up button
4. for the required distance (stem) between the button and the fabric, place a match as a spacer
5. First pull the thread through one buttonhole and the fabric
6. then pull it back through the other buttonhole and fabric
7. repeat several times
8. Remove matchstick
9. Wrap the thread tightly around the stem several times and tie a knot on the underside of the fabric
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4. Sew on the snap button
Snap fasteners for sewing consist of the upper part (with a pin) and the lower part (with a recess).
1. Thread the sewing thread through a needle and fix it to the fabric (knot)
2. place the upper part of the snap button
3. Pull the thread through the first hole in the snap and back through the fabric several times
4. then repeat for the other snap buttonholes
5. Knot the thread on the underside
6. Repeat the process with the bottom part of the push button -
5. Sew on loops for hanging (e.g. for jackets and towels)
1. Cut off the torn end of the loop with scissors
2. now put the loose end on or put it back under the bias binding
3. Thread the sewing thread through a needle and fix it to the fabric (knot)
4. Fix the hanging loop to the fabric with small regular stitches
5. Knot the thread on the underside of the fabric -
6. Repair seam
1. place the right sides of the fabric on top of each other
2. start approx. 1-2 cm before the defective seam end (and also end later)
3. Thread the sewing thread through the needle and fix it on the inside of the fabric (knot)
4. Push the needle through both layers of fabric from the inside out
5. on the opposite page back to the first page
6. repeat in small intervals along the open seam until it is closed
7. Knot the thread on the underside of the fabric -
7. Darn small holes in knitwear
1. Choose sewing thread that is thinner and slightly darker than the knitted fabric
2. Thread the sewing thread through the needle and fix it on the inside
3. Push the needle through the knitted fabric from the back, approx. 1 cm from the edge of the hole
4. lay over a row of knitting/stitches
5. pass under the next row of stitches
6. repeat to the end of the hole
7. Insert the needle into the higher row of stitches from behind and repeat the process in reverse order
8. Repeat overflowing and underflowing stitches up to approx. 1 cm beyond the end of the hole
9. Fix the thread on the underside of the knitted fabric -
8. Change rubber
If the elastic is not sewn to the garment, replace it as follows:
1. Measure new elastic to fit + 2 cm seam allowance
2. expose old rubber band
3. Pull out the old rubber band a little
4. and cut open
5. knot one end with a new rubber band
6. gently pull out the other end of the old rubber band so that the new one is pulled in
7. Untie knots
8. overlap both ends of the new elastic by about 2 cm and sew the edges together
9. If necessary, sew up the seam that was opened at the beginning -
9. Repair pulled thread
1. Pass the crochet hook through from the wrong side of the fabric
2. Loop the thread around the crochet hook
3. Gently pull the thread to the wrong side of the fabric -
10. Catch a run
1. Pick up the stitch at the beginning of the damaged area with a crochet hook
2. Crochet loose stitches again using the "cross threads" (like chain stitches)
3. fix the last "repair stitch" with a thinner thread. -
11. Remove pilling nodules
1. Place the fabric on a firm surface and smooth it out
2. Pull the pilling comb over the pills with light pressure in one direction
3. then iron with light steam in the same direction.
#3 Repair service.
You don't like sewing, darning and repairing? No problem! We want you to be able to enjoy your favorite hessnatur items for a long time. That's why we support you: from comprehensive advice to the possible assumption of repair costs by hessnatur. Feel free to use our service offers - we have various options for you so that your clothes accompany you for as long as possible:
- Contact our employees in the stores or our customer service.
- Have your clothes repaired by one of our repair partners.
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Hessnatur stores
Simply bring your favorite item in need of repair to one of our stores in Butzbach, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg or Munich. There we discuss the damage and what repair costs hessnatur will cover. We then take your clothes to tailors we trust. A few days later, you can pick up your favorite part from our store after it has been repaired. Very easy and convenient. -
Customer service (email, whatsapp, phone)
We are here for you!
Our Customer Service will be happy to help you. The easiest way is to send us a picture and a short description of the condition of the item via WhatsApp or email. But we also look forward to your call.
Within Germany you can reach our advisory team by telephone from Monday to Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Or you can chat with us via WhatsApp from Monday to Friday, 08:00 - 18:00.Telephone 06033 / 181 33 33
Email dialog@hess-natur.de
Within Austria you can reach our advisory team by telephone from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Phone 0800 / 44 88 88
Email dialog@hess-natur.de
Within Switzerland , you can reach our advisory team by telephone from Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Phone 0848 / 80 70 70
Email dialog@hess-natur.de -
repair partner
In addition to our stores, you can also contact our partners directly in these cities:
Repair Rebels (finalist of our Innovations for Tomorrow Award) offers a simple and modern solution to repair your clothes and shoes. Your items will be picked up at the desired time and place and repaired and returned 7 days later. A door-to-door service is possible in Düsseldorf , repairs outside of Düsseldorf are sent by post. With a few simple steps, a worn-out favorite piece can be turned back into a well-worn fashion statement in no time at all.
In Berlin , the A-Gain Guide will help you find repair shops near you. Carry again. Love longer. The digital A-Gain Guide in Berlin shows you the most creative and efficient ways to repair, pass on, dispose of and upcycle your unworn or broken clothing free of charge. The filter function of the integrated MAP makes all relevant textile services and reuse initiatives visible in your immediate environment. With the GUIDE function, solutions can be further individualized. With the help of the A-Gain Guide, used clothing is kept in the local cycle for as long as possible and finds new value again. A project by Circular Berlin eV and LoopLook.
In Frankfurt we recommend the service of our partner Stitch by Stitch . The sustainable tailor manufacture works as a social business with refugee tailors who not only design and produce fashion, but also repair and upcycle it.
#4 return.
One or the other piece of clothing lies unworn in the closet? You no longer enjoy it and want it to be reused in a meaningful way? Then send it to our partner Aktion Hoffnung . In this way, your worn clothing is responsibly passed on to new hands. Or it returns to the sustainable material cycle as a recycled fiber.
Donation containers near you can be found here .
Alternatively, you can send your clothing donation as a package directly to Aktion Hoffnung:
Aktion Hoffnung I Augsburger Straße 40 I 86833 Ettringen
Our partner: Aktion Hoffnung
Would you like to support a clothing collection that meets strict ethical standards? Our partner Aktion Hoffnung stands for responsible handling of clothing donations and old clothes. The old favorite parts are sorted and, depending on receipt, either reused or fed into a recycling cycle. With the proceeds, Aktion Hoffnung supports one-world and educational projects. The charitable collection organization from Bavaria designs and controls the entire route itself: from the collection of the clothes to the sorting company.
#5 Upcycling.
Do you love the material but don't like the cut anymore? Or a frequently worn favorite piece showing signs of wear? Then get creative and develop your own upcycling project.
From old to new
This is all the more worthwhile the better the quality of the materials. Because even if trends change – the unique skin feel of organic cotton, organic new wool, etc. never goes out of style. For many, one of the most important reasons to give their discarded clothing a new life.
What usually surprises beginners when doing it yourself: As soon as the first step is taken, one idea after the other arises. It doesn't matter whether the beloved jeans become a bag or a men's shirt becomes a light top - using scissors and a sewing machine yourself is and remains one of the most sustainable ways to show your enthusiasm for fashion.
#6 Everyday Tips.
The earth's resources are finite. Still, we consume more than nature can produce.
The fashion industry is part of the problem and needs fundamental reform. We think: clothing needs to be valued again. The materials should be sustainable, durable, recyclable and repairable. Dealing with the people who produce our fashion should be fair and respectful. These are all criteria that hessnatur attaches great importance to right from the start.
We are convinced: together we can achieve a lot. That's why we've collected a few everyday tips and show here what each individual can do.
NATURAL MATERIALS.
- When buying, make sure to choose carefully crafted clothing made of good materials.
- Give preference to natural fibers that are grown as organically as possible. Because doing without harmful substances is not only good for our skin, but also for soil and water.
- Say no to plastic. Because synthetic fibers like polyester are not biodegradable. They also release microplastics into the environment that pollute the oceans and groundwater.
SEALS, CERTIFICATES & MEMBERSHIPS.
Independent and internationally recognized standards help to make a good choice. Examples of standards that stand for transparent criteria and controls:
- Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
- OEKO-TEX Made in Green
- Fair Wear Foundation
- our hessnatur guideline
READ LABEL.
- The label provides information about what the fabric is made of, whether the fibers come from organic farming and in which country it was produced.
- There are indications as to whether the garment is as gentle as possible on people, animals and the environment during production, use and disposal.
Secondhand.
High-quality garments have a long service life. Passing them on gives them a second life.
Flea markets, digital exchange and sales platforms or exchange parties with friends are ideal for this.