Fabric & Care Guide

Care for Your Clothes, and Wear Them for Years

A little extra care goes a long way. Our pieces are made to be worn and loved, and thoughtful care helps them keep their shape, softness, and beauty season after season. Start with the basics below, then find your fabric for specific guidance.

Step 1: Check the Care Label

Always refer to the care label first. Instructions can vary by garment, and the label is your best starting point. The guidance on this page is meant to support it, not replace it.

Step 2: Everyday Best Practices

Wash Less, Wear More

The best care is simple care. Washing only when needed protects the fibers, extends the life of your clothes, and reduces water and energy use.

Air out your pieces for a few hours after wearing, before putting them away.
Spot treat small marks instead of washing the whole garment.
Give your closet room to breathe. Avoid overcrowding.

Hand Washing

Hand washing is the gentlest option, and our preferred method for delicate pieces.

Fill a basin with cool or cold water.
Add a small amount of mild, gentle detergent. For wool and knitwear, use a wool-specific detergent.
Submerge your piece and gently swirl by hand. Avoid rubbing, scrubbing, wringing, or twisting.
Rinse, then press out excess water without stretching the fabric.

Good to know: Don't soak delicate pieces for long. Satin dresses should soak no more than 30 minutes, and knitwear no more than a few minutes. Always avoid hot water, which can cause shrinkage and loss of shape.

Machine Washing

Only machine wash if the care label allows it.

Use a cold water setting and a gentle or delicate cycle to minimize friction.
Turn your garment inside out. For delicates, use a protective mesh laundry bag.
Use a gentle detergent and skip bleach and fabric softener.
Avoid overfilling the machine, since extra friction can damage fibers.
Wash with similar colors.

Drying

Air drying is always best.

Never twist, wring, or squeeze water out of your garment.
Gently press moisture out with a clean towel, reshape while damp, and lay flat or hang to dry.
Avoid high heat and tumble drying, which can cause shrinkage, distortion, and extra wear.

Ironing & Steaming

Start with the lowest heat setting and increase only if needed.
Iron on the reverse side, or place a clean cotton cloth between the garment and the iron.
Use gentle pressure and avoid excessive steam, which can cause water spotting.
Fill your iron or steamer with distilled water. Tap water can leave mineral buildup that may transfer onto and stain your garment.

Step 3: Care by Fabric

Delicate fabrics reward gentle handling. With the right care, your satin dresses will keep their softness and drape.

Washing

Hand wash in cool or cold water with a small amount of mild detergent. Soak no more than 30 minutes, then swirl gently. If the care label allows machine washing, turn the dress inside out, place it in a mesh laundry bag, and use a cold, delicate cycle. Never use hot water.

Drying

Never twist, wring, or squeeze. Lay the dress flat on a clean, dry towel and gently roll the towel to absorb moisture. Reshape while damp, then lay flat on a drying rack or clean surface. Avoid heat and tumble drying.

Iorning

Use a low-heat or silk setting, always on the reverse side. For extra protection, place a lightweight cotton cloth between the dress and the iron. Use gentle pressure, go easy on steam, and use distilled water.

Storage

Hang on a smooth hanger to keep shape and prevent deep creases. For styles with delicate or lace straps, gently fold the dress over a pant hanger instead of hanging it by the straps, so they don't stretch.

Most of our knitwear is a blend of natural and synthetic fibers, including nylon, wool, alpaca, cotton, acrylic, and recycled polyester. Wool knits don't need washing after every wear. If yours just needs a refresh, air it out for a few hours.

Washing

Hand wash in cold or lukewarm water (20°C / 68°F max) with a small amount of wool-specific detergent. Too much detergent, or one not made for wool, can cause the fibers to felt. Don't soak for more than a few minutes, and avoid wringing or twisting when rinsing. If the care label allows machine washing, use the wool or delicate cycle with a very gentle spin (around 400 rpm), and don't overfill the machine. Skip fabric softener, which can cause wool to felt and affect its softness.

Drying

Never tumble dry or spin aggressively. Wrap your piece in a clean towel to absorb excess water, then lay it flat to dry in the shade, away from direct heat or sunlight. Reshape while damp and fold the sleeves neatly into place. The shape you give it while drying is the shape it will keep.

Iorning

Usually not necessary. If needed, turn the knit inside out, place a towel between the iron and the knit, and avoid pressing down or crushing the fibers.

Storage

Fold, don't hang. Store in a cool, dry place. Keep an eye out for moths, which prefer dark, undisturbed spaces. Cedar balls help protect wool pieces. Give your knits some fresh air from time to time, and avoid leaving them tucked away for years.

A Note on Pilling

Pilling is a natural part of wearing knitwear. It happens when loose fibers gather and rub together, and it's most common when a piece is new. It becomes less noticeable over time. To remove pills, lay your knit flat, lightly stretch the fabric, and use a fabric comb or sweater razor with soft strokes from top to bottom. Use very light pressure on thinner or more delicate knits, which can snag or unravel. Avoid repeated or excessive shaving, which can change the texture of the knit.

Suede is naturally delicate, but a little care keeps it beautiful for years.

Everyday Care

Keep a suede brush and a suede-safe water and stain protector on hand. Brush gently along the grain to keep the texture even. For added protection, apply a thin, even layer of suede-safe protective spray, let it dry completely, then brush again to restore the texture.

Stains

Avoid water, which can change the color and texture of suede. Use a suede-specific cleaner according to its instructions. If the stain persists, take your piece to a professional cleaner who specializes in leather and suede.

Weather

Suede loves a good day out, but not the rain. Avoid wearing it in wet weather.

Storage

Before storing, brush away dirt and make sure the piece is clean and completely dry. Hang it on a wide, padded, or wooden hanger, and keep it in a breathable cotton or linen garment bag. Avoid plastic covers, which can trap moisture. Store in a cool, dry, dark place away from sunlight and heat.

With thoughtful care, cotton keeps its shape, softness, and color.

Washing

Machine wash in cold water on a gentle cycle (30°C / 86°F max). Lower temperatures help prevent shrinkage and fading. Use a gentle detergent, avoid bleach and conventional fabric softeners, wash with similar colors, and turn garments inside out to preserve color and finish.

Drying

Air dry whenever possible. Remove your garment from the machine promptly, shake it out, and reshape it before hanging. Avoid tumble drying, since high heat can cause shrinkage and wear. If you must use a dryer, choose an air-dry or no-heat setting.

Iorning

Shaking out a garment while it's still damp helps release wrinkles naturally. If you need to iron, start with the lowest temperature and work up to low-to-medium heat.

Stains

Treat as soon as possible. Rinse with cold or lukewarm water, since hot water can set certain stains. If water alone doesn't work, dab gently with a damp cloth and a small amount of gentle detergent. Avoid vigorous rubbing. For stubborn stains, see a professional cleaner.

Keep your whites looking their best by washing them separately, which helps preserve their brightness. To lift discoloration and restore brightness, we recommend sodium percarbonate. It can be used on cotton, Tencel, linen, and synthetic fabrics.

Important: Do not use sodium percarbonate on wool or silk.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fabric & Care

How do you wash a satin dress?

Hand wash satin dresses (viscose, rayon or cupro) in cool or cold water with a small amount of mild detergent. Soak for no more than 30 minutes, then swirl gently by hand. Avoid rubbing, scrubbing, wringing, or twisting the fabric, and never use hot water, which can cause shrinking or loss of shape.

Can you machine wash a viscose, rayon or cupro dress?

Only if the care label allows it. Turn the dress inside out, place it in a protective mesh laundry bag, and run a cold, delicate cycle to minimize friction. Hand washing is still the preferred method for satin dresses.

How do you dry a satin dress?

Lay the dress flat on a clean, dry towel and gently roll the towel to absorb moisture. Reshape the dress while damp, then air dry it flat on a drying rack or clean surface. Never twist, wring, or squeeze it, and avoid high heat and tumble drying, which can cause shrinkage and distortion.

Can you iron or steam a satin dress?

Yes, gently. Use a low-heat or silk setting and iron on the reverse side of the fabric to prevent shine marks. A clean, lightweight cotton cloth between the dress and the iron adds protection. Use gentle pressure and avoid excessive steam, which can cause water spotting.

Why should you use distilled water in an iron or steamer?

Distilled water prevents mineral buildup. Tap water can leave minerals that collect inside an iron or steamer and may transfer onto the garment, potentially staining it. Fill your iron or steamer with distilled water when working with delicate dresses.

How should you store a dress with lace or delicate straps?

Gently fold the dress over a pant hanger instead of hanging it by the straps. Hanging can stretch delicate straps or make them lose their shape. For all dresses, use a smooth hanger and leave enough room in the closet so the fabric can breathe.

How often should you wash wool and knitwear?

Wool knits, including merino, alpaca, and mohair, do not need washing after every wear. To refresh a piece, air it out for a few hours before putting it away. Wash only when the knit is stained or needs a real clean.

How do you wash a wool or alpaca sweater?

Hand wash in cold or lukewarm water, 20°C (68°F) maximum, with a small amount of wool-specific detergent. Do not soak for more than a few minutes, and avoid wringing or twisting when rinsing. Skip fabric softener, which can cause wool to felt and lose its natural softness.

Can you machine wash a wool sweater?

Only if the care label allows it. Use the machine's wool or delicate cycle with a very gentle spin of around 400 rpm, and avoid overfilling the machine, since excess friction can damage the fibers. Use a wool-specific detergent and no fabric softener.

How do you dry a knit sweater without stretching it?

Wrap the sweater in a clean towel to absorb excess water, then lay it flat to dry in the shade, away from direct heat or sunlight. Reshape it while damp and fold the sleeves neatly into place. Never tumble dry, wring, or pull the knit, because the shape it dries in is the shape it keeps.

Why is my new sweater pilling, and how do you remove pills?

Pilling is a natural part of wearing knitwear. It happens when loose fibers gather and rub together, and it is most common when a piece is new. It becomes less noticeable over time. To remove pills, lay the knit flat, lightly stretch the fabric, and use a sweater comb or fabric razor with soft strokes from top to bottom. Use very light pressure on thinner knits, and avoid repeated shaving, which can change the texture.

How do you store sweaters and keep moths away from wool?

Fold knitwear instead of hanging it, and store it in a cool, dry place. Moths prefer dark, undisturbed spaces, so air your knits from time to time and avoid leaving them tucked away for years. Cedar balls are a simple way to help protect wool pieces.

How do you care for a suede jacket?

Brush the suede gently along the grain to keep the texture even. Apply a thin, even layer of suede-safe protective spray, let it dry completely, then brush again to restore the texture. Keep a suede brush and a suede-safe water and stain protector on hand.

Can you clean suede with water?

No. Water can change both the color and the texture of suede. Use a suede-specific cleaner according to its instructions. If a stain persists, take the piece to a professional cleaner who specializes in leather and suede. Avoid wearing suede in wet weather.

How should you store a suede jacket?

Brush away any dirt and make sure the jacket is clean and completely dry. Hang it on a wide, padded, or wooden hanger inside a breathable cotton or linen garment bag. Avoid plastic covers, which trap moisture. Store it in a cool, dry, dark place away from direct sunlight and heat.

How do you wash cotton without shrinking it?

Machine wash cotton in cold water on a gentle cycle, at 30°C (86°F) maximum. Lower temperatures help prevent shrinkage and fading. Use a gentle detergent with no bleach or conventional fabric softener, turn the garment inside out, and wash with similar colors. Air dry, or use an air-dry or no-heat dryer setting if needed.

How do you remove a stain from cotton?

Treat the stain as soon as possible. Rinse with cold or lukewarm water, since hot water can set certain stains. If water alone does not work, dab the stain with a damp cloth and a small amount of gentle detergent, without vigorous rubbing. For stubborn stains, take the garment to a professional cleaner.

How do you keep white clothes bright?

Wash white pieces separately to preserve their brightness. To lift discoloration and restore brightness, use sodium percarbonate. It can be used on cotton, Tencel, linen, and synthetic fabrics.

Can you use sodium percarbonate on wool or silk?

No. Sodium percarbonate should not be used on wool or silk. It is safe for cotton, Tencel, linen, and synthetic fabrics.

Should you follow the care label or this guide?

Always follow the care label first, because instructions vary by garment. The guidance on this page supports the label and does not replace it.