Textiles

Linen is made from flax fibers and is naturally antibacterial and stain-repellent. Garments made of linen will get clean even when you wash them at low temperatures.

Care advice: Soak your linen garments in water before washing on a gentle spin cycle. Flat-dry or hang dry and avoid tumble drying since it may cause shrinking. To remove wrinkles, iron while the fabric is still a little moist or use a steamer. Avoid folding in the same place since this can cause unnecessary creasing.

More care advice for Linen

Wool is a natural protein fiber that is obtained from the undercoats of sheep or goats. Wool is naturally antibacterial and odor-resistant and can be washed very infrequently.

Care advice: Air out your wool garments to minimize washing. Always check the instructions on the care label and use an enzyme-free detergent like Delicate Laundry Detergent. Wash by hand or use the gentle cycle on your washing machine. Always wash at a low temperature, as the combination of heat and movement will cause wool to shrink.

More care advice for wool

Cotton is made from the fluffy fibers of the cotton plant. Cotton garments are much more durable and forgiving than materials like silk or wool. Due to the fiber structure, cotton can endure a lot of machine-washing, tumble-drying, and ironing.

Care advice: Refresh your cotton garments after wearing them by steaming them and spritzing them with Fabric Spray. To preserve the colors, use a detergent made for colored clothes and a separate detergent for white clothes. Use Tumble Dryer Balls to reduce the drying time and avoid static electricity.

Cashmere is wool that is made from the soft winter coat of a particular breed of goat. Since these goats only shed their winter fur once a year, cashmere wool is rare. Cashmere is self-cleansing and does not require frequent washing.

Care advice: Hang your cashmere garments out to air overnight to freshen them up and wash only when necessary. Use an enzyme-free Delicate Laundry Detergent with lanolin oil that nourishes the fibers. Wash by hand or use a gentle cycle and avoid the combination of heat and movement as this causes wool to shrink.

More care advice for cashmere

Denim is a woven twill fabric that is usually made with cotton. Denim garments should be washed as little as possible. Ideally, you will go months without washing them.

Care advice: Air out your denim, spray with Fabric Spray, and steam regularly to remove unwanted odors. Steaming also helps your denim clothes regain their tight fit if they have been stretched out. If you need to wash your jeans, turn them inside out and use a gentle spin cycle in cold temperatures. Hang or flat-dry and avoid the tumble dryer.

More care advice for denim

Hemp fabric is made using fibers from the stalks of the Cannabis Sativa plant. It provides all the warmth and softness of a natural textile but with durability seldom found in other materials, which makes hemp ideal for creating garments with a long lifespan.

Care advice: Hemp garments should be washed cold unless the fabric has tough stains. If you air dry, arrange your garment on a hanger and smoothen out the collar and hems by hand. Avoid wrinkling by removing your hemp clothes promptly from the washer or dryer.

Polyester is a plastic synthetic textile that is produced from the same material that is used in PET bottles. Polyester is a durable fabric that lasts for a long time. This can be seen as a benefit, but also an environmental problem, as polyester is non-biodegradable.

Care advice: Polyester rarely wrinkles, but if it does, you can steam the fabric to make it smooth again. Polyester is often used in sportswear and can easily absorb unpleasant odors. If this happens, we recommend using our Odor Control Detergent which targets and removes odors and bacteria at low temperatures.

Nylon is a synthetic polymer derived from petrochemicals. Just like polyester, nylon is commonly used in activewear and swimwear. What differentiates these textiles is that nylon is soft to the touch while polyester is hard and water-resistant.

Care advice: Machine wash your nylon clothes on a gentle cycle using a detergent designed for activewear, like Odor Control Detergent. Or prolong the lifespan of the garment even more by hand washing. Hang dry your garments to for the best result. Tumble drying is not necessary as nylon dries very quickly.

Viscose is a soft and breathable semi-synthetic fabric made from wood pulp. It is similar to rayon and lyocell and tends to stretch but recovers well by steaming and washing.

Care advice: Wash your viscose garments gently at a low temperature to avoid shrinkage. Always sort your colors and let your garments air dry. If your viscose garment shrinks in the washing machine, steaming will help it conform back to its original shape. Mist with Fabric Spray to freshen up your viscose garments between washes.

Acetate is a semi-synthetic fabric composed of spun cellulose filaments from wood pulps. It drapes well and is commonly used for evening attire. Acetate is often mixed with other materials like silk, rayon, and cotton to make garments more durable.

Care advice: On its own, acetate is very delicate and must be hand washed. Always wash at a low temperature, preferably by hand, and avoid tumble-drying. Steaming acetate is the preferred way to remove wrinkles since ironing can melt the fabric.

Lyocell is a semi-synthetic variant of viscose that is produced in an eco-friendlier way. Tencel and lyocell are chemically identical textiles, but Tencel is a trademarked brand. Lyocell is often used as a substitute for cotton or silk due to its similar qualities.

Care advice: When washing your lyocell garments, be gentle and wash by hand unless something else is stated on the care label. Let your lyocell garments air dry and use a steamer to smoothen out any wrinkles or creases.

Modal is a semi-synthetic fabric made from beech tree pulp. Modal is considered an eco-friendlier alternative to cotton since beech trees do not require much water to grow. The fabric is soft to the touch and is often used for pajamas, underwear, and sheets.

Care advice: Modal can be machine washed, but be sure to check the garment’s care instructions, as a modal blend might have different care instructions. Hang your washed garments while damp to avoid wrinkles. And of course, steam if necessary.

If a garment is made from a blend of textile fibers, our simple rule of thumb is to look out for the highest percentage listed on the material label. For example, if a garment contains a blend of 70% cotton and 30% viscose, follow the washing instructions for cotton. But be wary of extra delicate fibers like silk or wool in blended fabrics. Even if the percentage of silk is low, it is best to use an enzyme-free Delicate Laundry Detergent. And as always, when in doubt, follow the instructions on the care label.