Caring for the contents of your wardrobe

Cotton is created from the fibres surrounding the soft seed pods of the cotton plant. It is a natural and biodegradable fibre that has been used for centuries. The fibres are cleaned and spun into threads before being woven into a variety of fabrics including those listed below:

Cotton Organdy

Care: Hand wash in cold water.

Dry: Hang in the shade to air dry.

Detergent: Use mild liquid detergent.

Gauze Cotton

Care: Hand wash in cold water or use delicate wash in a garment bag/pillowcase.

Dry: Hang in the shade to air dry or tumble dry on low heat.

Detergent: Use mild liquid detergent.

Cotton Twill

Care: Use the cold machine wash setting.

Dry: Hang in the shade to air dry or tumble dry on low heat

Detergent: Use mild liquid detergent.

Paper Cotton

Care: Use the delicate cold machine wash setting.

Dry: Hang in the shade to air dry or tumble dry.

Detergent: Use mild liquid detergent.

Cotton Canvas

Care: Use the delicate cold machine wash setting.

Dry: Hang in the shade to air dry or tumble dry on low heat

Detergent: Use mild liquid detergent.

Linen is made from the fibres of flax plants and also bamboo. One of the strongest fibres in existence. They both naturally resist bacteria and are very hardwearing.  Due to its biodegradable qualities, linen is favoured for its low impact on the environment.  It is our favourite cloth to work with.

Gauze Linen - this is a delicate fabric

Care: Hand wash in cold water or use delicate wash in a garment bag.

Dry: Hang in the shade to air dry or tumble dry on low heat.

Detergent: Use mild liquid detergent.

White Linen (except gauze)

Care: Hand or machine wash in cold, warm, or hot water as needed.

Dry: Hang in the shade to air dry or tumble dry.

Detergent: Use mild liquid detergent.

Dyed Linen (except gauze)

Care: Hand wash in cold water or use a cold wash cycle.

Dry: Hang in the shade to air dry or tumble dry.

Detergent: Use mild liquid detergent.

Silk fibres are woven to produce a luxurious, fine and strong fabric with a natural sheen.

Silk is produced by many different kinds of insects, but it is mainly made by the Bombyx ‘silk’ moth. It is related to the same type of moth that can cause so much damage to our most precious of garments.

The farming of silk, known as sericulture, has been practiced for thousands of years, predominantly in China where the production process was discovered and was a long guarded national secret.

Silk is a very delicate fabric that should be cleaned with care and attention. We recommend that our pure silk is dry cleaned, and that the care labels are carefully followed.

If the care label suggests handwashing, do so with cool water and with a mild liquid detergent, rather than powder. Silk should never be soaked in water for longer than five minutes.

When handwashing, the water used must be cool as heat can damage the silk, shrink it and alter the texture. Rinse through thoroughly with fresh water.

Silk Cotton

Care: Hand wash or use delicate cycle in cold water.

Dry: Hang in the shade to air dry or tumble dry on low heat.

Detergent: Use mild liquid detergent.

Silk Organza

Care: Hand wash in cold water.

Dry: Hang in the shade to air dry.

Detergent: Use mild liquid detergent.

Bamboo Silk

Care: Hand wash in cold water.

Dry: Hang in the shade to air dry or tumble dry on low heat.

Detergent: Use mild liquid detergent.

Warm, durable and made from a natural, renewable fibre, wool comes from a sheep’s fleece, which grows back year after year.

Wool garments can last for many years with the right care and are particularly well suited to darning and visible mending, allowing them to develop their own character over time. When a garment made entirely from natural wool fibres eventually reaches the end of its life, the fibre itself is biodegradable and can naturally break down.

Wool is naturally insulating, breathable and odour-resistant, which means it needs washing far less frequently than many other fabrics. It also takes dye beautifully, allowing for a rich range of colours.

For everyday care, air woollen garments outside between wears rather than washing them unnecessarily. A little steam can also help freshen the fibres, release creases and gently encourage a garment back into shape.

Small marks can often be spot cleaned rather than washing the whole garment.

Wool should only be washed when necessary, as less frequent washing will help prolong its life. When washing, use a mild detergent specifically designed for wool and hand wash gently in cool or tepid water. Avoid rubbing, stretching or pulling the fibres and do not leave the garment soaking for long periods.

Rinse thoroughly with clean water and avoid fabric softener, which can coat the fibres and affect the way the wool behaves.

Never twist or wring wet knitwear. Instead, gently press out excess water, then roll the garment in a clean towel to absorb as much moisture as possible.

Reshape the garment while damp and lay it flat to dry naturally. Avoid tumble drying or placing wool directly on radiators or other strong heat sources, as heat and agitation can cause shrinkage and felting.

If a wool garment has shrunk slightly, gentle steaming followed by carefully easing it back into shape may help. More significant shrinkage can sometimes be improved by soaking the garment in cool water with a small amount of gentle shampoo before carefully reshaping it, although it may not return completely to its original size.

For storage, always make sure wool garments are clean before putting them away, as moths are particularly attracted to natural fibres carrying traces of food, skin or perspiration.

Fold knitwear rather than hanging it, which can stretch the shoulders and alter its shape. For longer-term storage, sealed bags or airtight boxes offer additional protection from moths.

Cedar, lavender and other traditional wardrobe deterrents can also be used. If you are concerned about moth eggs or larvae, sealing the garment in a bag and freezing it can form part of your moth-control routine.

Pilling is a natural result of friction and does not mean the garment is wearing out. Remove pills gently with a suitable knitwear comb rather than pulling at the fibres.

Repair small holes as soon as you notice them before they become larger. Darning, patches and decorative stitching can all extend the life of a much-loved piece.

Merino
Care: Gentle hand wash in cool or tepid water using wool detergent.
Dry: Reshape and lay flat to air dry away from direct heat.

Cashmere
Care: Gentle hand wash in cool or tepid water using a specialist wool or cashmere detergent.
Dry: Reshape and lay flat to air dry away from direct heat.

Sheep Wool
Care: Gentle hand wash in cool or tepid water using wool detergent.
Dry: Reshape and lay flat to air dry away from direct heat.

Velvet is a soft, luxurious fabric with roots tracing back to the East during the Middle Ages.

Traditionally woven from silk to create its distinctive shine, velvet can also be crafted from cotton, wool, or viscose—each with a unique texture and sheen. Often, different yarns are used for the back and the front (the pile), with perfectly distributed loops and tufts that create a dense, sumptuous feel.

For the best protection of your velvet’s finish and structure, we recommend dry cleaning only.

To refresh your garment, use a steamer or hang it in a steamy bathroom. This process helps remove odors, lifts the pile if it’s been crushed, and smooths out creases. Always steam your velvet inside-out and allow it to air dry at room temperature.

Always hang your velvet pieces on a sturdy, preferably padded, hanger. Folding can cause difficult-to-remove creases and lead to shoulder marks or sagging.

Viscose is a biodegradable material that can be produced from a variety of plants such as soy, bamboo and wood pulp.

Viscose generally can be cleaned in a washing machine at 30 degrees.

When washing by hand, use cool water, or water no warmer than 20 degrees.

Line-dry your viscose and reshape it whilst still damp