Proper garment care is perhaps the most overlooked aspect of sustainable fashion. Even the highest quality clothing will deteriorate prematurely without appropriate maintenance. At Appreunder, we believe that understanding how to care for different fabrics is essential knowledge that helps our customers extend the life of their purchases, reducing both environmental impact and long-term clothing expenses.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the best practices for caring for common fabric types found in quality clothing and footwear.
Understanding Fabric Care Labels
Before diving into specific fabric types, it's important to familiarize yourself with care labels. These small tags contain valuable information presented through standardized symbols that indicate washing, drying, ironing, and dry cleaning instructions.
Key symbols to recognize:
- Washtub: Indicates washing instructions, with numbers showing maximum water temperature
- Triangle: Bleaching instructions (if crossed out, no bleaching)
- Square: Drying instructions, with dots indicating heat level
- Iron: Ironing instructions, with dots showing temperature settings
- Circle: Dry cleaning instructions
While care labels provide manufacturer recommendations, understanding the properties of different fabrics allows you to make informed decisions about garment maintenance.
Natural Fibers
Cotton
Cotton is durable, breathable, and relatively easy to care for, but it can shrink and wrinkle easily if not handled properly.
Care Instructions:
- Washing: Machine wash in cool to warm water (30-40°C) with similar colors.
- Drying: Tumble dry on low heat or line dry to prevent shrinkage and reduce energy consumption.
- Ironing: Iron while slightly damp on medium to high heat setting.
- Special Considerations: Pre-wash new cotton garments separately as colors may bleed initially.
Expert Tip: For particularly treasured cotton pieces, turning them inside out before washing helps preserve color and reduces abrasion to the outer surface.
Wool
Wool is naturally insulating, odor-resistant, and water-repellent, but requires gentle handling to prevent felting and shrinkage.
Care Instructions:
- Washing: Hand wash in cool water with a wool-specific detergent, or use the wool/delicate cycle on your machine.
- Drying: Never tumble dry. Lay flat on a towel to dry, reshaping while damp.
- Ironing: If necessary, iron on low heat with a pressing cloth between the iron and garment.
- Storage: Store clean and folded (not hung) in a breathable container with cedar blocks to deter moths.
Expert Tip: Most wool garments need fewer washes than you might think. Often, airing them out between wears is sufficient to remove odors and refresh the fabric.
Silk
Silk is luxurious, lightweight, and temperature-regulating but particularly delicate and susceptible to water stains and sun damage.
Care Instructions:
- Washing: Hand wash in cold water with mild, silk-specific detergent. Many silk items can also be dry cleaned.
- Drying: Roll in a towel to remove excess water, then lay flat to dry away from direct sunlight.
- Ironing: Iron on the lowest setting while still slightly damp, using a pressing cloth to prevent shine marks.
- Storage: Store hanging in a breathable garment bag, away from direct sunlight.
Expert Tip: For silk blouses and shirts, turning them inside out and placing them in a mesh laundry bag before hand-washing provides extra protection.
Linen
Linen is highly absorbent, naturally antibacterial, and becomes softer with each wash, but wrinkles easily and may initially feel stiff.
Care Instructions:
- Washing: Machine wash in cool to warm water. Linen actually benefits from regular washing, becoming softer over time.
- Drying: Tumble dry on low heat and remove while still slightly damp, or line dry.
- Ironing: Iron while damp on a medium to high setting for best results.
- Special Considerations: Embrace linen's natural tendency to wrinkle as part of its character, or opt for linen blends that resist wrinkling.
Expert Tip: For stubborn wrinkles in linen garments, a handheld steamer often works better than ironing and is less likely to damage the fabric.
Synthetic and Blended Fabrics
Polyester
Polyester is durable, wrinkle-resistant, and quick-drying, but can trap odors and is less breathable than natural fibers.
Care Instructions:
- Washing: Machine wash in warm water. Use mesh laundry bags for delicate polyester items.
- Drying: Tumble dry on low heat or air dry.
- Ironing: If needed, iron on a low setting or steam to remove wrinkles.
- Special Considerations: To combat potential odor retention, add a half-cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle occasionally.
Expert Tip: For polyester activewear, avoid fabric softeners which can trap odors and reduce the fabric's moisture-wicking properties.
Cotton-Polyester Blends
These blends combine cotton's comfort with polyester's durability and wrinkle resistance.
Care Instructions:
- Washing: Machine wash in warm water with similar colors.
- Drying: Tumble dry on low to medium heat.
- Ironing: Iron on medium heat if necessary.
Expert Tip: Removing blended fabric items from the dryer while slightly damp and hanging them to finish drying can significantly reduce wrinkling.
Specialty Fabrics
Cashmere
Cashmere is exceptionally soft, warm, and lightweight but requires careful handling to maintain its luxurious qualities.
Care Instructions:
- Washing: Hand wash in cold water with cashmere-specific detergent or gentle wool wash.
- Drying: Press (don't wring) out excess water, then lay flat on a towel to dry, reshaping as needed.
- Storage: Fold (never hang) and store in breathable containers with cedar or lavender sachets to deter moths.
- Special Care: Address pilling by gently removing pills with a cashmere comb or specialized de-piller.
Expert Tip: Cashmere benefits from being "rested" between wears. Allow at least 24 hours before wearing again to help the fibers recover their shape.
Denim
Denim is hardwearing and develops unique character with age, but requires specific care to maintain fit and prevent excessive fading.
Care Instructions:
- Washing: Wash inside out in cold water, either by hand or on a gentle cycle. Wash infrequently to preserve color and character.
- Drying: Air dry to prevent shrinkage and preserve fiber integrity.
- Special Considerations: For raw denim, follow brand-specific instructions which may include avoiding washing for the first six months to develop natural fading patterns.
Expert Tip: To refresh denim between washes, hang outside in fresh air or freeze overnight to kill odor-causing bacteria without affecting the fabric.
Leather and Suede Care
Quality leather and suede footwear and accessories require specific care routines to maintain their appearance and extend their lifespan.
Leather
Care Instructions:
- Cleaning: Wipe with a slightly damp cloth, then dry thoroughly. Use leather-specific cleaners for deeper cleaning.
- Conditioning: Apply quality leather conditioner every 3-6 months to prevent drying and cracking.
- Waterproofing: Apply a leather protector spray seasonally, especially before wet weather.
- Storage: Store in a cool, dry place with shoe trees inserted to maintain shape. Avoid plastic bags which can trap moisture.
Suede
Care Instructions:
- Prevention: Apply suede protector spray before first wear and refresh seasonally.
- Cleaning: Brush gently with a suede brush to remove dirt and restore nap. For stains, use a specialized suede eraser.
- Storage: Store in breathable bags or boxes with shoe trees, away from direct sunlight.
Expert Tip: For both leather and suede, addressing stains and dirt promptly is crucial. The longer an issue remains untreated, the more difficult it becomes to remedy.
Sustainable Laundry Practices
Beyond fabric-specific care, these general practices reduce environmental impact while extending garment life:
- Wash Less Frequently: Many items, particularly outerwear, jeans, and wool, require less frequent washing than you might think.
- Use Cold Water: Up to 90% of washing machine energy goes to heating water. Cold water cleaning is gentler on fabrics and significantly more energy-efficient.
- Choose Eco-Friendly Detergents: Plant-based, biodegradable detergents minimize environmental impact and are often gentler on fabrics and skin.
- Air Dry When Possible: Line or flat drying saves energy and reduces wear from tumble drying.
- Run Full Loads: Maximize efficiency by washing full loads, but avoid overloading which can prevent proper cleaning.
When to Seek Professional Care
While many garments can be maintained at home, certain situations warrant professional intervention:
- Complex stains on high-value items
- Garments labeled "Dry Clean Only"
- Structured jackets and tailored pieces
- Heritage or vintage items
- Significant repairs or alterations
At Appreunder, we can recommend trusted local specialists for garments requiring professional care.
Final Thoughts
Proper fabric care is an investment in your wardrobe. By understanding and following appropriate maintenance routines, you extend the life of your clothing and footwear, enhancing both their appearance and functionality while reducing the environmental impact of frequent replacements.
If you have specific questions about caring for items purchased from Appreunder, our knowledgeable staff are always happy to provide personalized advice based on the particular materials and construction of your garments.
