Wash and Care Guide

The way you choose to care for your clothes can increase their lifespan considerably, allowing you to enjoy your favourite styles for longer. From using less water and energy on laundry days to choosing a 'green' dry cleaner, small choices can help reduce your environmental impact. Here are some simple yet effective tips on how you can extend the life of your garments, as well as care advice for our most popular materials.

Discover below how to best care for our most popular material types and remember to always consult the care label on your garments.

One of wool’s best qualities is that it doesn’t need to be washed frequently, only when it is dirty or stained. Machine wash on a lukewarm gentle cycle, and use wool-safe laundry detergent. Remember to lay wool items flat while drying and if you need to, pull gently while damp to reshape them. When storing, fold them to retain the garment’s shape.

Ramie is a naturally breathable fibre with a lustrous finish. Similar to linen, machine wash in cold or lukewarm water and use a gentle cycle. Ramie garments dry quickly and aren’t likely to shrink, however, you should always follow the care label to ensure the best result. If you wish to iron ramie, make sure to use the warm setting.

Make sure to machine or hand wash your linen items in cold or lukewarm water without harsh detergents or fabric softeners.

Choose a cold, gentle cycle when washing recycled polyester items or hand wash them in cold water. Remember to quickly remove these garments when the cycle finishes and hang them out. This can help to avoid creasing.

Denim should only be washed when it is dirty or stained using a cold water cycle. Avoid putting denim in the dryer and line dry inside out for best results.

Use a cold, gentle cycle. Washing in cold water reduces your carbon footprint and is a better choice for most natural fibres. Line drying helps to retain the garment's shape and extend its lifespan, meaning more wear and less waste.

Wash in a garment bag on a gentle cycle or hand wash in cold water. Remember to line dry and always use a warm iron on the reverse of the garment.

Only wash vegan or faux leather garments if necessary and never iron them. Instead, store them on a hanger to avoid creasing. Rain shouldn't damage vegan leather; however, you should store these items dry. Refrain from putting them away while still damp.

With proper care, leather pieces can be enjoyed for many years to come.

Do:
-Follow the care label
-Take items to a leather specialist dry cleaner
-Store in a cool, dry space
-Spot clean with a damp cloth
-Use a leather protectant/conditioner, ensure you do a small spot test first. For a suede finish, use a suede-specific protector
-Make sure you hang up leather garments between wears in a cool, dark spot. Use a suitably shaped hanger to avoid stretching

Don’t:
-Iron
-Expose or store close to a direct source of heat

Read more about our commitment to increasing our use of responsible fibres and the way we use recycled materials here.

Wash Less
To help save water and energy, we recommend only washing your clothes when they are stained or dirty. Over washing can lead to colour fading, so opt to spot treat marks and stains instead of starting a new load.

Colour Code Your Load
Sorting your laundry by colour can help to increase the longevity of your clothing, slow the fading of fabrics and prevent colour bleeding.

Short and Cold Cycles
Most clothing can be washed at a colder temperature than indicated on its care label. Choosing to wash garments on a cold cycle where possible means you use less energy. Remember, 90% of the energy used in a laundry cycle is spent just heating up the water.

Use a Washing Bag
Washing bags are designed to protect delicate garments from stretching or tearing, as well as prevent hooks or zippers from catching.

Washing Detergent
The amount of laundry detergent you use can actually make a difference, for both the environment and your clothing. Too much and you can ruin your garments, coating them in laundry detergent residue. Too little and your clothing might not come out smelling fresh and clean. To avoid this, make sure to follow the instructions and use the recommended dose.

Don’t Rely on Your Dryer
Dryers use plenty of energy; a more sustainable option is air drying.

Garment Storage
Storing clothing correctly can also help to increase its lifespan. Proper protection from damp and moths is important, as is allowing enough room in your wardrobe for your clothes to hang comfortably. Overfilling your wardrobe and drawers can cause garments to rub together, making them more prone to creasing and wear.

Say Goodbye Responsibly
Whether you’re choosing to donate, recycle or sell unwanted or unwearable clothing, it is important to dispose of it responsibly. This way, you can extend the lifecycle of the garment, pass it along to someone else to enjoy, and most importantly, keep it out of landfill.

The next time you decide to clear out your wardrobe, consider:

Can you repurpose or repair your garment?
Beyond fixing tears and replacing buttons, old clothing can be made new again by taking it to a tailor for a more custom look.

Can you sell your clothing?
Using marketplaces like Depop, Vinted or Poshmark can help you pass clothing over to a new owner while making a little extra cash.

Can you donate your clothing?
If your garments are in good condition, you can donate them to a local charity or op shop. This is a great way to be conscious of the environment as well as give back to the community.

Can you recycle your clothing?
Order a pick-up service from a recycling organisation and turn your old clothing into something new.

Pilling is the formation of fuzzy balls on the surface of clothing, caused by friction from the fibres rubbing together and tangling during wear. This often occurs around the underarms, elbows, and sides of the garment.
Pilling can result in a worn-in look, but this is not an indicator of a lack of quality. It is easy to remove and have your garments look brand new again.

How do I remove pilling?
-Remove any pills with your fingers by gently pulling them off the garment so as not to disturb the rest of the knitted or woven structure and fibres.
-For knitwear, you can purchase a depilling comb. This should always be done on a flat surface. Hold the garment down firmly and make small strokes in one direction, from top to bottom, working only in the areas where pilling has formed.
-Battery-operated or electric depillers and fabric shavers also work well and are cost-effective. Ensure the garment has been laid on a flat surface and work in small circles, applying gentle pressure.

How do I minimise pilling?
Pilling is a natural occurrence on many fabrics and generally cannot be prevented. However, it can be minimised by following these steps:
-Turn your garments inside out before washing to minimise pilling on the exterior of the garment
-Separate any abrasive and heavy-weight materials like denim from your delicates
-Always follow the care instructions when laundering garments. This will ensure that they are not damaged in the process. In general, wash your clothes on a cold cycle and air dry to minimise friction.

Wash wool only when needed. Frequent washing can break down the garment’s fibres, losing some of its softness.

Avoid machine drying denim as the high heat can cause shrinkage and fading. Opt for air drying flat or hanging instead.

Clean faux leather with a damp microfibre cloth, avoiding excessive heat. Real leather benefits from special oils and conditioning to maintain its appearance.

Always follow the care label on your garments. Washing temperatures can vary based on fabric, colour and level of cleaning required. Use a cold wash between 20–30°C depending on your laundry needs.