Groceries Apparel is an eco-friendly fashion brand that’s known for using organic fabrics and non-toxic dyes. Since the pandemic, they’ve also started selling face masks for adults and kids.

More About Groceries Apparel

Groceries Apparel was founded by Robert Lohman and Matthew Boelk in 2010. Based in Los Angeles, the company’s goal is to redefine transparency and human responsibility by supporting localized manufacturing, family farms, and living wages.

For those who are interested, their products can be found at many retailers including Pacific Trading Company, Corevolution, Mercer, Planet Blue, and more. Or if you want, you can shop online on their official website.

About Their Activewear Collection

Groceries Apparel offers sports bras, leggings, and tank tops for women. They also have a unisex collection that consists of t-shirts, hoodies, and sweatshirts. And it’s worth mentioning that all of their products are manufactured in Los Angeles, California.

Price-wise, most of their products are under $100. Take their Maca Sports Bra, for example, it retails for $48 and is available in four different colors. They also accept wholesale orders from businesses.

As far as shipping goes, they offer free delivery for orders over $75USD.

Taking Care of Groceries Apparel Clothing

Their clothes are made from high-quality fabrics. Over time, however, they can still wear out. With that said, there are steps that you can take to prolong their lifespan. For starters, you never want to leave a garment in the hamper for days on end. Wash them as soon as you can so that the sweat won’t have a chance to deteriorate the fabric.

And make sure to wash the items properly. That means using the right detergent, wash cycle, and settings. Need more help? That’s why we’re here. Keep reading for everything that you need to know about how to wash Groceries Apparel products.

Get to Know Their Fabrics

One thing that sets them apart from other brands is their fabrics—they’re all naturally sourced and farmed without toxic chemicals. Here are some details.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is a plant-based fiber that’s responsibly sourced from Eucalyptus and Pine trees. Created using a closed-loop process, it’s extremely soft, which makes it ideal for a wide range of clothing. They also don’t wrinkle as much as cotton and other natural fibers.

Organic Cotton

Their organic cotton is made from the waste of discarded t-shirts. Not only is it strong, but it’s also inexpensive and versatile. It’s also breathable, which makes it suitable for activewear and other apparel. However, it’s prone to shrinking. It also has poor elasticity compared to other fibers.

Hemp

Hemp fabric is a sustainable fabric that’s derived from the cannabis sativa plant. Not only is it resistant to mold, but it’s also anti-bacterial and pest-resistant. And like most natural fibers, it has great absorbency. The only drawback is that it tends to be more expensive than other options.

Recycled Plastic

Their recycled plastic fabric is made from post-consumer plastic bottles. Combined with spandex, it’s soft, comfortable, and breathable. It’s also quick-drying, which makes washing it a breeze.

What Are the Best Ways to Wash Groceries Apparel Leggings?

You can machine wash their leggings with other activewear. Another option is to wash them by hand. Not only will it be better for the environment, but it’ll also be gentler on the fabric.

Both methods will be outlined in detail below.

Tossing Your Groceries Apparel Leggings In the Washer

Turn the leggings inside out to prevent them from fading (remember to empty the pockets first). It’s highly recommended that you use a mesh laundry bag—it’ll keep them from rubbing against your other clothes so that they’ll last longer.

Toss the mesh bag into the washing machine. Add the rest of your dirty clothes (you can wash them with similarly-colored garments such as t-shirts, tanks, bras). Once everything is in, pour in a scoop of ACTIVE detergent. Avoid fabric softeners; they contain silicone, which will trap in dirt and oils. Not only that, but they’ll also ruin the fabric’s moisture-wicking finish. Consider using white vinegar instead if you want to soften your leggings—half a cup will suffice.

Run a cold water cycle. Make sure to select a gentle or delicate setting—that’ll preserve the shape and stretch of the leggings. Consider adding half a cup of baking soda during the final rinse if your leggings are heavily soiled.

Place your leggings on a drying rack or clothesline and let them air dry. You can also hang them up with a hanger. Avoid using the dryer; the heat will break down the fabric. It’s also best to keep them away from direct sunlight (UV rays can cause the colors to fade).

Hand-washing Groceries Apparel Leggings

Fill a sink or washing basin with cool water—it should be large enough to comfortably fit your leggings. Add 1/2 a scoop of ACTIVE detergent. Wait for the powder to fully dissolve before putting in your pants. You can speed things up by agitating the water with your hands.

Turn the leggings inside out (remember to empty the pockets) and place them in the sink. Swish them through the soapy water to remove any loose debris. Make sure they’re completely covered by the solution and let them soak for up to 20 minutes.

Carefully rinse your leggings with fresh water afterward. You can either run them under the faucet or rinse them in the sink or basin. Continue until there’s no more soap residue on the fabric.

Press the pants against the edge of the sink to remove some of the excess water. Don’t squeeze or wring the fabric. Consider using towels instead. Place the leggings on a clean, dry towel and cover the top with another towel. Press down and it should absorb the extra moisture. Like we said earlier, you don’t want to use the dryer—the heat will break down the fabric.

The Proper Ways to Wash Groceries Apparel Tops

Their tees and tanks are all machine washable. Or if you want, you can wash them by hand in a sink or washbasin.

Tossing Your Groceries Apparel Tops In the Washer

Sort your tops into piles. Separate lights from darks and make sure that you’re not mixing different fabrics together. It’s also a good idea to check the care tag labels on the items.

Turn your tops inside out so that they won’t rub against your other garments (feel free to wash them with other activewear) and throw them in the washer. Make sure not to overfill, otherwise, you might jam the machine. Once everything has been added, pour in one scoop of ACTIVE detergent. Skip the fabric softener.

Note: Stains should be spot treated with some laundry detergent before washing. Add a generous amount to the area and rub it in. Let it soak through before rinsing with water. Repeat the steps if the stain is still visible afterward.

Select the right size load and run a cold-water cycle on a delicate setting. Avoid using hot water—it might be more effective at sanitizing but it can also compromise certain fabrics

Let the washing machine run. Depending on the top, you may be able to dry it after with the dryer. When in doubt, check the tag. If the item isn’t dryer safe, hang it on a clothesline or laundry rack so that it can dry. Try not to expose your clothes to direct sunlight as the UV rays can fade the colors.

Hand Washing Groceries Apparel Tops In a Sink Or Bucket

Plug the sink and fill it with cold water (you can also use a large bucket or washbasin). Add 1/2 a scoop of ACTIVE detergent and swish the water to mix the powder. Wait until it’s completely dissolved (there should be lots of bubbles) before putting in your tops.

Swirl the items through the water a few times so that they’re fully saturated. Let them sit in the sink for 15 to 20 minutes afterward—that’ll give them time to absorb the detergent.

Rinse your tops thoroughly with clean water. We recommend running them one at a time under the faucet. You can also refill the sink and rinse them that way. Continue until they’re no longer sudsy; the water should eventually run clear.

Let your tops air dry on a clothesline or laundry rack. You can also lay them flat on a towel. Depending on the material, you might also be able to toss them in the dryer. Remember to check the care tag label first before doing that.

Other Laundry Tips

• Don’t overdo the detergent. Using too much will actually trap in dirt and soil, making your clothes dirtier and harder to wash
• Remember to clean your washing machine regularly. Pour two cups of white vinegar into the wash drum and run a hot water cycle. Don’t forget to scrub the lid and other parts as well to remove buildup
• You can remove odors from your clothes by adding a bit of white vinegar or baking soda to the wash drum
• Always read the care tag label before washing new items—it’ll tell you exactly how to wash the garment