What you can measure at home

Short answer: You can count your garments, write down what you buy and read your machine's consumption. Those are three numbers that give a real picture of your clothing use without guesswork, and they take very little time.

Count what you have

A simple count twice a year shows straight away whether your wardrobe is growing or staying stable. Take one drawer or shelf at a time and note the number on your phone. Count your most popular from Copenhagen Bamboo as well as the rest of the wardrobe, so you see the whole picture and not only the clothes you wear most.

Why counting works

A number on paper is hard to argue with. Many people are surprised by how many T-shirts or socks sit at the bottom of the drawer. When you count again six months later, you can see whether the number has gone up, down or stayed the same. It is a calm and honest measure that needs nothing but a little time.

Write down what you buy

An amount per purchase, noted on the same day, gives an accurate yearly figure instead of an estimate. Use a note on your phone or a spreadsheet, whichever is easiest. Note the small purchases too, such as a men's bamboo sweatshirt or base layers, because small amounts are often what adds up over a year.

Small purchases count

A pair of socks here and a T-shirt there do not feel like much at the time. Added up over twelve months, though, they can come to more than the one big purchase you clearly remember. Writing everything down shows you the pattern. Perhaps you buy most at certain times, or perhaps it is always the same type of item.

Read the machine's consumption

Most washing machines show kilowatt hours per programme, either on the display or on the energy label inside the door. The figure tells you how much electricity each programme uses. Use it to choose a programme when you wash all men's clothing, so you avoid a long, hot cycle when a shorter, cooler one does the job.

Water is on the label too

The energy label usually shows water use per programme as well. Compare the programmes you use most and notice the difference. You do not need to change everything at once. Start by choosing the programme that suits the clothes and level of dirt you usually wash, and see whether the result is good enough.

Keep the numbers in one place

Once you have the three numbers, items owned, amount per year and machine consumption, put them on one page. That gives you a baseline to compare with next time. It makes it easier to see whether small everyday changes actually move anything.

The most useful number

Of the three, the number of new items per year says the most. It shows directly how much comes into the wardrobe, and that is where the biggest differences lie. The other two are useful extras, but if you only track one, track that.

Frequently asked questions

How often should you count

Twice a year is enough. It gives a clear picture of the trend without turning the count into a chore you have to think about all the time.

What is the most useful number

The number of new items per year. It shows directly how much enters the wardrobe, and it changes most when habits change.

Can you measure water use

Yes, it is on the machine's energy label per programme. Compare the programmes you use most and pick the one that suits the clothes and how dirty they are.