Think you know how to do laundry? Your wardrobe may beg to differ. In this column on rethinking our washing habits, sustainable fashion expert Lauren Bravo explains how to do it right

We know that keeping our clothes in circulation for longer is the best way to lessen their environmental impact. But overwashing – or over-enthusiastic washing – is one of the quickest routes to the rag bag, leading to shrinkage, fading, weakened fibres, unravelling hems and all manner of other sartorial sob stories.

Your clothes deserve better. So before you bung another mixed load on at 40C, let’s have a quick refresher course.