Hints & Tips

General

• High temperatures are bad for all fabrics.

• Whiteners are always preferable to bleach.

• As a general rule always dry clean a garment that is lined and use natural detergents for delicate fabrics.

• Soaking or leaving garments damp in a washing machine will cause some coloured fabrics, prints, or trims like ribbons and leather to bleed.

Machine Wash

• Empty Pockets, unfasten buttons and lift collars before washing.

• Do not overload the machine. Do not wash at very high temperature.

• Check the instructions for the detergent you use - many powders need to be re-dissolved before being added to the machine. This is a common cause of spots on garments where the powder has stuck to the garments and the colour has faded on that spot.

Hand Wash

• In the first few washes the colour may bleed, therefore the garment should be washed alone.

• Do not leave garments soaking for a long time.

• Ensure there is no residue in the tub from cleaning products.

• Allow soap or detergent to completely dissolve before adding the garment.

• Do not rub garment, gently squeeze.

• Rinse thoroughly.

• Do not use any machine cycle even if the settings are referred to as "gentle", "hand wash" or "as gentle as hand washing".

Drying

• If a garment has deep or intense colour, do not hang in direct sunlight or in heavy winds, hang garment inside-out.

• If drying indoors, make sure the area is well ventilated.

• Knitted, heavy or garments made of speciality fabrics should be laid flat to dry on a non-coloured towel out of direct sunlight to retain their shape. Some knits can be rolled into a towel first to squeeze out more moisture.

Ironing

• Follow ironing instructions on care label.

• For heavy cottons and linens, iron while still damp or when dry with lots of steam. Over-dried creases are very hard to iron out!

Fabric Types

Cotton

• Will shrink if washed at high temperature but may be ironed at high temperature.

• If garment is coloured it should be washed alone for the first time.

• Colours will fade if hung in direct sunlight, hang garments inside-out.

• High resistance to rubbing, very moisture absorbing.

Linen

• Should not be washed at high temperatures but can be ironed at high temperature.

• If coloured, linen will fade in direct sunlight.

Viscose/Rayon

• Dry clean only – due to delicate nature of fabric when wet.

• If you can’t get your garment to a dry-cleaner, a warm, gentle hand wash in a delicate liquid detergent is essential.

• Iron using a low to medium heat with a small amount of steam.

• Store garments in drawers rather than wardrobes, with some sort of moth repellent – try dried lavender sachets or cedar balls as alternatives to unpleasant smelling mothballs.

• Don't use pegs as the fabric becomes weak when wet.

Silk

• Hand wash inside out in warm water using a delicate liquid detergent. Some silks may handle a gentle machine wash – check manufacturer care instructions.

• Handle with care when wet.

• Dry flat out of direct sunlight.

• Iron on a low heat setting with steam.

• Store folded in drawers or hung in plastic.

• Don’t tumble dry, machine wash (unless stated on garment), bleach, rub, or spot clean.

Additional notes:

• Moths love silk – ideally store garments in plastic along with some sort of moth repellent.

• Silk can be easily damaged by perspiration, so wear a camisole or singlet underneath shirts/tops.

• Dry cleanable, but remember that frequent dry cleaning weakens fibres and might make them yellowish.

• Some silk fabrics fade easily.

Elastane, spandex, lycra and other stretch garments

Any garment containing spandex, elastane, or lycra will retain its shape well and will remain wrinkle free. The following tips refer to these stretch fibres, not the fibres they are blended with.

• Warm machine wash.

• Line dry.

• Do not bleach.

Additional notes:

• As these fibres are blended with others, always pay attention to the fibre they are blended with – e.g. If they are blended with silk, pay attention to silk washing instructions as well.

• Fit: the stretch component in a garment that fits too tightly will rupture and show through – commonly found on inner thigh and seat of trousers as little white or grey threads. Keep this in mind when shopping.

Wool

• Hand wash inside out in warm water using a registered liquid wool wash.

• Wash in a large tub with plenty of water (not a bucket). This will help prevent the garment becoming matted.

• Handle carefully when wet.

• Dry (flat) immediately out of direct sunlight.

• Iron (if necessary) using a warm steam setting.

• Store folded.

• If the garment care label advises machine washing, use a warm delicate/wool cycle in a delicates bag. Slow spin and remove from machine immediately.

• Don’t bleach, tumble dry, or hang.

Additional notes:

• Wool is wrinkle resistant so suiting, trousers, etc. should be hung straight after use and any creases will drop out.

• The new breed of ultra-fine delicate merinos appearing in stores require more thoughtful, gentle handling than other chunky, sturdier knits – keep this in mind when washing and drying.

• Perspiration can harm and colour fibres, so it might pay to wear a camisole or singlet underneath more delicate woollen garments.

Denim

• Machine wash inside out (to retain colour), separately, in cold water.

• Pre-dissolve washing powder in water (alternatively, use liquid), to avoid detergent staining.

• Remove from machine immediately shaking out any folds or wrinkles.
This prevents dye "ponding" leaving creases and folds white in appearance.

• Line dry inside out. If the care instructions advise tumble drying, then dry on low heat setting.

• Warm to hot iron using plenty of steam.

• Don’t bleach, hot wash, or dry iron.

Additional notes:

• Wash before any visits to the tailor, as denim can shrink (even if ‘pre-shrunk’).

• Avoid wearing light colours with denim as dye can easily bleed or rub onto clothes and shoes. Over time this should become less of an issue as the excess dye reduces with subsequent washes. Also be wary of light coloured furniture.

• Store hung or folded.

Polyester/Nylon Etc.

• Cold wash. These fabrics are sensitive to heat.

• Iron at a low temperature with no steam.

• Has high resistance to fading.

Delicate fabrics

• Fine polyester chiffon or nylon mesh knit must be handled with extra care.

• Garments will snag if they come into contact with rough surfaces such as jewellery, handbags or seat-belts. When laundering follow the individual garments care instructions.