Fabric Care Guide

Most clothes wear out because of how they are washed, not how they are worn. A few small habits, a cooler wash, drying in the shade, folding the right things and hanging the rest, can add years to a garment. Here is how we look after the fabrics you will find in the store.

Always check the label first

The care label sewn into the garment is the manufacturer's instruction for that exact piece, and it overrides general advice. If it says hand wash, believe it. The guidance below covers sensible defaults when the label allows a choice. Some pieces are the exception: the Wide-Leg Trousers are dry clean only, to protect their drape, so skip the washing advice below for them.

Cotton

Cotton is forgiving and ideal for pieces such as the Everyday Cotton Shirt and Essential Crew Tee. Wash in cold or lukewarm water on a normal cycle. Hot water can shrink cotton and fade dark colours faster. Dry in the shade where possible, since strong sun fades colour and weakens fibres over time. Iron while slightly damp and the creases fall out easily.

Lawn

Lawn is a fine, lightweight cotton that is wonderful in summer and a little delicate. Wash the Printed Lawn Kurta separately the first time, because printed fabrics can release extra colour. Use cold water, turn it inside out, and avoid wringing it hard. Iron on a medium setting while it is still a little damp, which is when lawn presses best.

Linen and linen-feel fabrics

Linen creases. That is part of its charm, and you do not need to fight it. Wash gently in cold water, shake the garment out and dry it flat or on a hanger so it does not set in a heavy crumple. A steamer or a quick iron on a higher setting refreshes it when you want a neater look. The Linen Co-ord Set is easiest to maintain if you wash the top and trousers together so they age at the same rate.

Denim

Denim does not need frequent washing. Wash jeans and jackets inside out, in cold water, and only when they are actually dirty or have started to smell. Spot clean small marks. Washing less keeps the colour deeper and the fabric stronger. Hang to dry rather than using high heat, which can shrink and fade denim quickly.

Knits

Knits stretch, and gravity does the rest if you hang them. Wash the Ribbed Knit Top and the Soft Knit Cardigan on a gentle cycle in cold water, or by hand, then reshape and lay them flat to dry. Fold them to store rather than hanging, since hangers leave bumps in the shoulders. If you see small pills forming, remove them carefully with a fabric comb or a battery-powered pill remover instead of pulling them off.

Chiffon and delicate scarves

Hand wash a Lightweight Chiffon Scarf in cool water with a mild detergent, rinse, press out the water gently without twisting and lay it flat to dry. Press on a low setting, ideally with a thin cloth between the scarf and the iron. Keep chiffon away from rough surfaces and jewellery, which can snag it.

Bags and shoes

Wipe the Structured Tote Bag and the Leather Crossbody Bag with a soft, barely damp cloth, and let them dry naturally. Avoid soaking anything with leather. Stuff bags with paper when you store them so they keep their shape. For sneakers, remove the laces, brush off dust and spot clean the sole. Let shoes dry away from direct heat, which can crack materials and weaken glue.

Detergent and softener

Use less detergent than the packet suggests. Extra soap does not clean better; it leaves residue that makes fabric stiff and attracts dirt. Skip fabric softener on anything you want to stay breathable, as it can coat fibres. For white clothes, wash them with whites only, since a single dark sock can turn the whole load grey.

Stains

Act quickly and blot, do not rub. Cold water suits most stains, while hot water can set protein stains such as sweat. A little mild detergent worked in gently with your finger, then rinsed, deals with most everyday marks. For anything oily from a family dinner, a dusting of talcum powder absorbs the grease before you wash.

Storing between seasons

Wash everything before you put it away, because body oils and tiny stains turn visible over time. Store in a cool, dry place, in breathable cotton bags rather than sealed plastic, and add a few dried neem leaves or cedar blocks to deter moths. Fold knits, hang shirts and jackets, and check the pile once in a while.

Quick reference

• Cold wash by default, inside out for prints and denim.
• Dry in the shade, not under strong sun.
• Fold knits, hang everything else.
• Wash less often than you think you need to.

Ready to refresh your wardrobe? Browse the Everyday Wardrobe and give each piece a few good years.