Your Clothing Care Guide

Whether your clothes are new or second hand, it’s important to know how to care for them. Your clothes do their very best to help you look and feel good so it’s only fair that you do the same for your favourite jeans, dresses and knitwear! Keeping our clothes looking and feeling fresh for longer not only helps the environment but also your bank balance. Our clothing care guide will keep your garments looking fabulous for longer.

One of the main ways to care for your clothing is to check the wash care label. Now we know that reading washing labels can be very confusing. It can seem like an alien language. No one ever tells us what each label means, so we’re left to decipher it ourselves or ignore it completely. We don’t want you to have to do that any longer. That’s why our ultimate guide to wash care labels blog will give you all the information you need when it comes to caring for you clothes. 

On the topic of washing your clothes. When it comes to looking after and preserving your clothes, washing less truly is more. Washing only when needed slows down the fading and ageing of your clothing.

When it comes to washing your clothing, a washing machine usually does the job. However, make sure you check the label, as often your delicate items need to be hand washed. Gentle cleaning for very delicate, ‘hand wash only’ garments. Check out our guide below to help you hand wash your clothing. 

• Always read the care label first. If you’re washing delicate clothing, make sure that you use a gentler detergent suitable for those type of fabrics. 
• Treat stains, straight away. Sometimes by treating a small stain straight away you can even avoid an unnecessary wash. 
• Fill your sink with lukewarm or warm water, again check the care label to see what temperature is appropriate. For wool, silk and bright colours, we suggest washing in cold water. 
• Add the recommended dose of detergent to the water and swish it around. Lay your garment in the water and press it down to full immerse it in the water. Whilst your clothing is soaking, gently squeeze the water through a couple of times.
• Once you’ve down this, rinse your garment thoroughly. Fill your sink again with cool water free of detergent. Immerse the garment and repeat the process.
• When your garment is free of sudsy water, remove excess water by carefully lifting your clothing with both hands and gently squeeze out as much water as possible. 
• A good tip for getting excess water out of your clothing is to lay it flat on an absorbent towel and roll the towel and garment together until the water is all absorbed.
• Leave the items to dry flat out of direct sunlight, this will help unnecessary stretching and fading.

Whilst most clothes can be washed in our handy washing machines, it's still necessary to check the wash care label. Not only will it tell you if your clothing can be washed in the washing machine or not it will also include the temperature and in some instances even the wash cycle! We’ve included a step-by-step guide below on washing your clothes in a washing machine. 

• Always check the care label to see what wash care is suggested. If the fabric is delicate, it may be best to wash on a delicate cycle or to hand wash. 
• Divide your clothing into separate wash bags. This adds an extra layer of protection and can also help to keep micro fibres out of our waterways. 
• Where possible wash at a lower temperature and for less time. This will increase the lifespan of your clothing whilst being friendlier on the environment and your bank balance. 
• Fill the washing machine when you can so there is less room for the garments to rub against each other and prevent wasting energy.
• Wash dark and light colours separately.
• Wash denim inside out to reduce fading.
• Wash printed or embellished garments inside out to avoid snagging.
• Close all fastenings including zips before cleaning. Empty and pockets.
• Do not use too much detergent or softener. For wool / silk fabrics use a special detergent. 

Though convenient, dryers will damage garments and can decrease elasticity. We recommend line-drying, rack drying or flat drying. These techniques allow your clothing to dry naturally. We’ve included our top tips on drying your clothes below. 

• Take your clothes out of the washing machine straight away as if left in for too long it will wrinkle and may eventually cause mould and mildew. 
• Do not wring out or rub pile fabrics such as velour, velvet or cord. 
• Dry knitted / jersey garments flat.

Enough is enough! Your clothes deserve a lot more than being stuffed in your wardrobe or under your bed. We all do it, don’t worry! But what if we told you that how you stored your clothes could avoid unnecessary wear and tear. Make sure that your clothes are either hung or folded properly with enough space in between clothes for good aeration. Check out our top tips on how to store your clothes so that they last longer. 

• Store your knitwear folded so they do not stretch on the hanger. Need to know more about how to take care of your knitwear? Take a look at our dedicated blog. 
• Store your embellished clothing separately or in a garment bag to prevent snagging 
• Change of season? Store the clothes you will no longer be wearing in a vacuum seal bag, this not only will protect the clothes but also frees up space in your wardrobe.

Now you know how to properly wash, dry and store your clothing, follow our top tips to ensure that your favourite dresses, jeans and knitwear stay in tip top condition.  

• Remember to check your clothing before washing it, to get rid of tissues and other things that can ruin pockets and make a mess of your laundry. No one wants that! 
• Close all fastenings before washing to prevent any snagging and breakages. 
• Use a pilling brush or comb to keep your knitwear looking fresh.
• Always iron printed garments inside out.
• Do not iron pleated or crinkle effect garments.
• If you don’t want to iron your clothing, place your garments in the bathroom whilst you shower to help straighten out creases and wrinkles.
• Repair any holes and replace lost buttons to increase the life of your clothing. 

Now you know how to properly take care of your clothing, check out our latest styles, in fabulous prints and fabrics that are guaranteed to last. 

For more care guides, check out our lingerie, swimwear, and sportswear guides.