Caring for the contents of your wardrobe

General Guidelines

The cloths we work with are chosen for their natural qualities as well as their ability to create shape and form.

Always wash with similar colours, with a gentle detergent, inside out & try to wash less frequently to maintain the shape, colour, longevity and quality of your garment.

It is a good idea to reshape your garment whilst damp by holding the side seams together and shaking.

Garments are best dried flat or hanging to prevent the need for ironing. Our garments are designed to avoid the need for ironing as we prefer the crinkled and lived-in look.

If you prefer a pressed look, then it is best to iron whilst slightly damp or use a steam machine. Be careful when pressing seams as this can weaken the fabric.

Hang your cotton clothes away from direct sunlight to prevent fading.

Darning & Patching

There are a great many resources to learn how to darn and patch. 

See our journal entry about it.

  • 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, sustainable, and all-natural yarn made from sheep’s coats.  as long as the sheep have plenty of grass, they produce a fresh fleece every year. Wool garments are great for darning over the years to make them your own but when its time is up, wool naturally breaks down, nourishing the soil with valuable nutrients.

    Not only is wool eco-friendly, it’s also incredibly durable, naturally insulating, and antibacterial. Plus, it takes dye beautifully, allowing for a vibrant range of colors to suit your style.

    For washing, woollen garments hardly ever need washing, as the fibres are breathable and do not absorb odours.

    Wool should only be washed when absolutely necessary, and it will last longer the less frequently you wash it. Wool benefits from airing outside on a line or freezing which can be just as efficient as washing.

    When washing, always use a mild detergent specifically for wool. Wash by hand with cool water, avoiding stretching and pulling whilst doing so. Never leave your garment to soak for too long as this can cause pilling and shrinkage. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water.

    We recommend never using a fabric softener when washing your woollen garments, as it can cause pilling.

    For drying, it’s best to lay them flat and placing it in its normal shape (avoid twisting or wringing, as this creates havoc with the shape). When washing, roll the damp garment in a towel to squeeze excess water gently.

    For storage, cleanliness is key; never store wool unclean because it’ll attract moths. Conkers, cedar balls, and lavender can help with that. Also, always fold knitwear to avoid stretching. Using liners helps deter moths, and pills can be brushed out with a comb.

    Merino

    Care: Gentle hand wash in tepid water.

    Dry: Lay or hang to air dry in the shade.

    Cashmere

    Care: Gentle hand wash in tepid water.

    Dry: Lay or hang to air dry in the shade.

    Sheep Wool

    Care: Gentle hand wash in tepid water.

    Dry: Lay or hang to air dry in the shade.

  • 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