CARE GUIDES
DENIM
Denim is made to withstand a lot, so try not to wash it too much as it really doesn’t need it. If you absolutely must, then the cardinal rule is: no tumble drying.
Denim likes: being aired in public, or private, as long as air is involved. It also enjoys being turned inside out if going in a washing machine, and the coolest wash possible.
Denim dislikes: being washed too much, or hanging out with impressionable friends (like paler fabrics) as it can get a bit dye-happy when wet. Store it anywhere – it’s tough like that.
SILK
1 | WASH IT
When cleaning silk, ‘easy does it’ is the rule of thumb. For a gentle refresh, hand-wash it in cool water with a specialist silk detergent. Stains should go straight to the dry cleaner’s – if you scrub at them yourself, you could do permanent damage.
2 | DRY IT
Wrap your silk item in a clean towel and roll it up to remove excess water. Then smooth it out on another towel or a rack and leave it to dry naturally, away from direct sunlight. NEVER throw it into a tumble dryer – it’ll shrink and shrivel.
3 | IRON IT
Smoothing out your silk before drying should remove most of the wrinkles. Just give it a gentle run-over with a cool iron on the reverse to leave it looking flawless.
4 | STORE IT
Always put your silk away clean – in a cool, dry place – to help protect it from greedy moths. For extra peace of mind, keep it folded in a breathable cotton bag or hang it in a clothing cover.
SWIM
1 | WASH IT
Strong sunlight, saltwater and chlorine can make swimwear fade and discolour, so rinse yours straight after use in fresh water. You can then pop the items – turned inside out – into the washing machine at 40°C (or follow the instructions on the care label). Wash tops and bottoms from a set together so they stay in the same condition.
2 | DRY IT
Don’t let swimwear lie damp in the washing machine for too long. And remember direct heat and bright sunlight are bad news for hues. These quick-drying pieces are best left to lie flat, but you can also peg them on the line in a shady spot.
3 | STORE IT
Keep your swimwear in a cool, dry spot: your underwear drawer’s perfect if it’s not near a radiator. Off-season, store items flat to stop them creasing and fading, with the tops and bottoms of sets united in breathable mesh or vacuum bags (you’ll thank yourself when summer...
WOOL
Fun fact: wool has antibacterial properties so it actually sort of self cleans. Treat spills to spot cleaning and give it a good brush and fresh air – it’s kind of like having a horse, but less expensive.
Wool likes: being hung up to shoot the breeze, a loving handwash from time to time, a flat dry sesh on a towel and being stored with plenty of space in a cool chest of drawers.
Wool dislikes: hot water, bleach, spin cycles – basically anything too modern. Treat it as if you live without electricity and you’ll be fine.
CASHMERE
1 | WASH IT
Because we know you have loads on your plate, nearly all of our cashmere is machine washable (hurrah) – but it’s good practice to always check the label. You definitely don’t need to wash after every wear – simply air out your cashmere between use and only wash a few times a season. Your cashmere (and the environment) will thank you.
2 | DRY IT
Roll your cashmere in a towel to remove excess water, then reshape the garment, straightening the sleeves and doing up any buttons. Be sure to dry it flat to keep it in ‘I just bought this’ condition.
3 | STORE IT
The cardinal rule of cashmere storage: fold, don’t hang (if you want to avoid pointy ‘hanger’ shoulders). Store freshly washed garments in
breathable, sealed bags to keep moths at bay. Top tip: keeping cedar balls near anything knitted can help repel them.
4 | SMOOTH IT
It’s natural for cashmere to form fuzzy little bobbles on the surface, called pills. That doesn’t mean it’s poor quality – it’s just
characteristic of this fibre. The good news is that they can be easily removed using an electric de-bobbler.
LINEN
1 | WASH IT
Think low temperatures (check the care label), use a mild detergent and don’t overfill the washing machine. Linen ages gracefully, getting softer and more absorbent with regular washing.
2 | DRY IT
Whip it out of the washing machine ASAP so wrinkles don’t set in. Natural drying is best for linen and the planet, so reshape it while it’s damp, then lie it flat or pop it on the line. Alternatively, tumble-dry it at a low temperature until it’s just-damp, then let it air dry.
3 | IRON IT
Do the above and your item shouldn’t need ironing. If it’s too crumply for your liking, press the front and back at a medium temperature
with plenty of steam. For stubborn creases, place a damp white tea towel over it first.
4 | STORE IT
Keep it cool and dry. Hang it carefully or lay it on slatted shelves where air can circulate. When you pack it away for the winter, keep it as flat as possible to avoid wrinkles.
CELLULOSIC FIBRES
Including LENZING™ ECOVERO™ Viscose, TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibres
1 | WASH IT
Here’s the good news: viscose is meant to go in your washing machine. A warm-water hand-wash can shrink it, but your machine knows the right temperature (30°C, on the button). Turn your garment inside out, choose a gentle cycle, then sit back and relax.
2 | RESHAPE IT
To avoid shrivelling and shrinkage, always return your viscose to it’s original shape while it’s damp. Using a cool iron, gently smooth and stretch it to it’s pre-wash outline.
3 | DRY IT
Speed up the drying process by laying it flat in a well-ventilated place. Keep it away from the tumble-dryer, unless you want your garment to go down a size or two...
4 | IRON IT
Most creases vanish from viscose during reshaping, so it shouldn’t need long on the ironing board. A cool iron (no steam or spray) will deal with wrinkles that have made it through to the final stage.