How to care for your clothes properly: Sustainable washing tips for different materials
With our effective washing tips, you'll learn how to care for your clothes properly and thus extend the lifespan of your favorite pieces. Sustainable and simple. Have fun.
Our wardrobes are full of true treasures made from a variety of materials. Whether airy silk blouses, cozy cashmere sweaters, or sturdy cotton jeans – of course, we can throw everything into the washing machine and hope for the best. But every piece has its own needs when it comes to care. In fact, some materials are quite sensitive and will shrink or felt if exposed to water that's even a few degrees too warm or the wrong detergent.
It doesn't have to come to that. With the right care, your favorite pieces not only look beautiful longer but also retain their shape and comfort. And that's very sustainable if you can extend the wearing time of your clothes. It doesn't take much. Your laundry room doesn't have to be a lab or turn into a wellness temple for silk and cashmere.
Important: Protect the environment and try not to wash your clothes too often – this saves energy, water, and detergent. As with styling, less is more here too. Every wash strains the fibers of the clothing because mechanical stress in the washing machine, heat, and detergent can cause clothes to wear out faster. It also leads to loss of shape and color. Nobody likes that. Sometimes, simply airing out or hand-washing small stains is enough.
Tip: Pay attention to the care instructions; the symbols and notes on your clothing's care labels give you guidance on recommended care and washing temperature.
Here we reveal the best washing tips for six popular materials: satin, wool, cotton, cashmere, silk, and linen, so your garments shine anew and stay loyal to you for a long time.
Satin – Diva with demands
Satin blouse: Blouse Sicily Shiny Navy
Satin is an elegant and shiny fabric that can be made from cotton, silk, or polyester. And we admit, this fiber is a drama queen.
How to properly care for satin:
- Turn the clothing inside out before washing. This protects the smooth surface from abrasion and discoloration.
- Use a mild detergent for delicate laundry. Avoid fabric softener as it can glue the fibers together.
- Choose a gentle cycle with cold water. Do not spin the clothing too hard as this can damage the fabric. Alternatively, you can hand wash satin.
- Let the clothing air dry. Avoid the dryer as heat can stretch the fabric.
- Iron on low setting with steam function. This smooths out small wrinkles and preserves the fabric's shine.
Additional tips for satin:
- Remove stains immediately. The fresher a stain is, the easier it is to remove. Please do not rub, just dab lightly.
- Use a laundry bag for washing. This protects the clothing from damage in the washing machine.
- Store satin in a cool, dark place. Avoid direct sunlight as it can fade the fabric (for example, do not dry on the balcony in strong sun).
Wool – Durable and not for the faint-hearted
Knitted vest: Sailor Vest Black Stripe
Wool has a natural self-cleaning ability. The fibers of wool are surrounded by a fine wool wax layer called lanolin. This layer acts antibacterial and odor-repellent. Dirt and odors can hardly settle in the wool. When wool is washed, it should be handled carefully. Before washing the entire sweater, try to wash the stain separately.
How to properly care for wool:
- Separate wool laundry by colors. Never wash white or light wool with colored laundry, as it might bleed.
- Use a special wool detergent. Regular detergent can damage the fibers and make the wool brittle.
- Choose a gentle program with lukewarm water (maximum 30 degrees).
- Avoid spinning, as wool can felt otherwise.
- Shape the clothes after washing back into their original form. Lay them flat on a towel to dry.
- Iron only on a low setting with steam function. This smooths out small wrinkles and cares for the fibers.
Additional tips for wool:
- Use mothballs or cedarwood blocks to keep moths away.
- Store wool in a cool and dry place. Avoid direct sunlight and high humidity.
Cotton – Everybody's Darling
Denim jacket: Jacket Rome Denim
Cotton is a popular natural fiber valued for its softness, breathability, and durability. It is a versatile and easy-care natural material found in many garments.
How to properly care for cotton:
- Separate white cotton from colored cotton. Use a detergent for colored laundry or a universal detergent, otherwise it might bleed.
- Choose a washing program that matches the level of dirt on the clothes. Normally, a 40-degree wash cycle is sufficient.
- Dry the clothes in the tumble dryer or even better, in the fresh air. This saves energy and protects the fibers.
- Cotton can be ironed without any problems. Depending on the type and thickness of the fabric, choose the appropriate ironing temperature.
Additional tips for cotton:
- Fold your cotton clothing neatly to avoid creases.
- Add a few tennis balls to your laundry to soften your cotton items.
- Use a natural bleach to brighten white cotton clothing.
Cashmere – Your noble companion
Knit shirt: Pullover Aurora T Luxury Taupe
Cashmere is a noble and delicate material made from the wool of the cashmere goat, known for its softness, warmth, and comfort. Like wool, cashmere should be washed rarely; the less, the better.
This is how you properly care for cashmere:
- Always hand wash cashmere items. Use cold water and a mild wool detergent. Avoid fabric softeners.
- When hand washing: gently press the clothing, but do not wring it out.
- Lay the clothing flat on a towel to dry. Avoid direct sunlight.
- Iron on a low setting with steam function. This smooths out small wrinkles and cares for the fibers.
Additional tips for cashmere:
- Remove pilling: Cashmere tends to form little balls called "pills." You can carefully remove these with a cashmere comb or a razor.
- Avoid tumble drying: Cashmere should never be dried in a tumble dryer. The heat and drum movement can damage the material.
- Special products: There are special detergents and impregnation sprays for cashmere. These can make caring for your garment easier.
Linen – The light muse
Linen blouse: Blouse Antonia Linen White
Linen is a natural fiber derived from the fibers of the flax plant. It is known for its durability, breathability, and absorbency. Linen clothing is therefore ideal for summer or the tropics, as it is cool and comfortable to wear.
This is how you properly care for linen:
- Separate linen by colors. Never wash white linen clothing with colored laundry, as it may cause color transfer.
- Use a mild detergent for delicate laundry. Avoid fabric softener, as it can stiffen the fibers.
- Choose a gentle program with lukewarm water (maximum 40 degrees). Avoid spinning, as linen clothing can otherwise wrinkle.
- Dry the clothing in the air or in the dryer on a low setting.
- Make linen laundry slightly damp before ironing. Iron only on medium setting.
Additional tips for linen:
- Soak linen clothing before washing. This softens the fibers and makes the clothing easier to iron.
- Remove stains immediately. The fresher a stain is, the easier it is to remove.
- Impregnate your linen clothing. This protects it from water and dirt.
- Do not let linen laundry dry completely in the dryer, as it will otherwise become wrinkled.
Silk – The queen of the wardrobe
Silk is a luxurious and delicate material that should be cared for with special attention. It is a natural fiber obtained from the cocoons of silkworms. It is known for its softness, shine, and durability. Silk is also hypoallergenic and therefore ideal for people with sensitive skin.
How to properly care for silk:
- Always hand wash silk. Use cold water and a special silk detergent.
- Gently press the blouse or shirt in the water, but do not wring it out.
- Lay silk clothing flat on a towel to dry. Avoid direct sunlight.
- Ironing: Set the iron to a low temperature. An iron with a steam function is ideal.
Additional tips for silk:
- Silk can be damaged by chemicals. Therefore, it is important to wash silk only with mild detergents.
- Do not store silk in plastic bags. Instead, use cotton or silk paper, as silk may wrinkle or develop an unpleasant odor.
- Stain removal: Stains on silk should be removed immediately. Use a mild stain remover for this.