Clothing Care

Delicate Garments Take these steps to care for delicate fabrics such as lace: Hand wash in cold or warm water. Use mild soap. Rinse well. Do not soak or bleach. Line dry in shade. Do not tumble dry. Cool iron or reverse if applicable. Do not iron embellishments.

All Knitwear Follow care instructions for particular fibres, but always lay flat to dry. Store knits flat, never hang knitwear.

Cotton

• Cotton is soft, cool and comfortable.
• Wash in cold water as warm water can shrink cotton garments.
• It has a tendancy to wrinkle so use a hot steam iron before wearing.

Wool

• Wool is perfect for winter as it retains heat whilst allowing your skin to breathe.
• Wash wool in cold water to preserve thread quality in the fabric. Wool should not be washed regularly but as close to once a season is best.
• Do not hang to dry as your garment will loose its shape, but rather lay it flat.
• Do not heat to dry as your garment may shrink.
• Do not iron wool. You can however use steam on the under side of the fabric.

Denim

• Wash denim before wearing.
• To avoid shrinking denim, wash in cold water and use low heat if drying.
•  The shrinking properties of cotton allow you to wash denim once worn to get the original shape back.

Polyester

• Polyester is durable, strong, and resistant to creasing.
• Wash in cold or warm water, and use a fabric softener.
• It's sensitive to heat so use iron at a low temperature inside out, with no steam.
• Some garments with Polyester may be "dry clean only", make sure you check the manufacturer's label to find out if your garment is.

Elastane

• Elastane won't shrink as it can stretch and spring back to its original shape.
• Elastane is often blended with another fabric like denim or cotton to add a bit of stretch to otherwise stiff fabrics.
• You can generally use a cold or lukewarm machine wash. Be sure to use a cool iron though.
• Hang to dry.

Acrylic

• Acrylic is a great alternative to wool as it's easier to wash and dry.
• Acrylic can be machine washed in warm water and placed in a dryer at a low temperature.
• To keep soft and fresh add a fabric softener.
• It can be dry cleaned and also ironed at a low temperature.

Nylon

• Nylon is a durable, strong, and light weight fabric. Wash nylon in cold or warm water.
• Nylon is resistant to creasing and does not fade. However if you need to iron nylon, use the iron at a low temperature with no steam.
• Iron the fabric inside out as nylon is sensitive to heat.

Viscose

• Viscose breathes like cotton and has a soft luxurious feel.
• It may wrinkle easily depending on the fabric blend, so iron on low heat.
• Try to avoid pegging viscose on the clothes line as the pegs can leave indents when fabric is wet.

Rayon

• Rayon has some qualities of cotton. Some garments will be 'dry clean only'.
• Check the label to see if yours is. Hand wash or machine wash in luke warm or cool water.
• Do not tumble dry, instead dry flat as rayon may stretch when wet.. Press with iron at a cool temperature, with no steam.
• Do not wring or twist dry.

Silk

• Silk is elegant and stylish for evening wear, special occasions or luxurious sleepwear.
• Silk should be dry cleaned only. However, if you must wash silk, it should be handwashed with a suitable delicate soap to help the garment retain it's shape.
• Avoid wringing, spin drying and tumble drying silk.

Acetate

• Acetate is a robust fabric with the lavish look of silk. It should only be hand washed with warm water.
• It's fast drying and resistant to shrinking, but do not tumble dry. It can melt under heat or from chemicals in nail polish and nail polish remover.
• Don't soak, twist or wring dry acetate.
• Use a cool iron, and place a light cloth between iron and garment.

Linen

• Linen remains cool and light, so it's perfect for warmer weather.
• Washing by hand in cold water is best and avoid tumble drying. Linen can easily crease so use a hot iron on your garment before folding or hanging up.
• Linen is resistant to rubbing and it's durability means it should last long.

Leather

• Wipe surface clean with a damp cloth.
• Wipe dry.
• Dry clean only with a specialist leather drycleaner.

Polyurethane

• Wipe surface clean with damp cloth.
• Do not wash. Allow to dry. Keep away from direct heat.
• Do not tumble dry.
• Do not dryclean.