Garment Care

The following information is for the cleaning and caring for fabrics containing natural and man-made fibers used in apparel. Always read and follow the care instructions and any specific warnings on the garment label.

ACETATE

Most acetate garments should be dry-cleaned. Some knits are washable. If laundering is indicated, use the following guide:

• Hand wash in warm water with mild suds.
• Do not twist or wring out the garment.
• Do not soak colored items.
• Press while damp on the wrong side with a cool iron. if finishing the right side use a pressing cloth.
• Circular knits should be laid flat to dry.

ACRYLIC

Acrylic garments may be washed or dry cleaned.

• When machine washing, use warm water setting and add a fabric softener during the final rinse cycle.
• Machine dry at low temperature. Remove from dyer as soon as garments are dry.
• Wash delicate items by hand in warm water. Static electricity can be reduced by using s fabric softener in every third or fourth washing. Gently squeeze out water, smooth or shake out garment and let dry on a non-rust hangar. Sweaters and circular knits should be dried flat.
• If ironing is required, use moderately warm iron.

COTTON

• Cotton can be easily laundered. It can withstand high temperatures (boiling water does not hurt the fiber).
• Any good detergent can be used to wash cotton.
• Chlorine bleach can be used safely on cotton whites. Use color safe bleach on dyed cottons.
• Since cotton fibers are fairly inelastic cotton fabrics may wrinkle easily. And, fabric may need frequent pressing.
• However, cotton fabric can be treated with a wrinkle resistant finish to create a more resilient fabric/garment. The label will tell you if this finish has been applied.
• A higher heat setting is needed in the dryer to dry cotton. Cotton will take much longer to dry than less absorbent fibers.
• Cotton can be ironed with a hot iron, and does not scorch easily

LINEN

• Some linens are washable, while others are dry clean only. Be sure to check the label.
• Washable household linen, handkerchiefs, and linen apparel can be washed easily and become softer with use.
• White linens should be dried in the sun, if to help them to keep their whiteness.
• Generally speaking, dry cleaning is recommended for drapery linens, upholstery linens and decorative linens.
• Linen fabrics may need frequent pressing, unless treated for crease resistance.

NYLON

Most items made from nylon can be machined washed and tumbled dried at low temperatures.

• Use warm water and add a fabric softener to the final rinse cycle.
• To minimize static electricity use a dyer sheet when machine drying.
• Remove articles from the dyer as soon as the tumbling cycle is completed.
• If ironing is required, use a warm iron.

POLYESTER

Most items made from polyester can be machine washed and dried.

• Use warm water and add a fabric softener to the final rinse cycle.
• Machine dry at low temperature setting and remove articles as soon as the tumbling cycle is complete.
• If ironing is needed, use a moderately warm iron.
• Most items made from polyester can be dry-cleaned.

RAYON

Most rayon garments should be dry-cleaned, but some types of fabric and garment construction are such that they can be hand or machine washed. For washable items, use the following as a guide:

• Use mild lukewarm or cool suds. Gently squeeze suds through the fabric and rinse in lukewarm water. Do not wring or twist the article.
• Smooth or shake out the article and place on a non-rust hanger to dry. Rayon sweaters should be laid flat to dry.
• Press the article while damp on the wrong side with the iron at a moderate setting. If finishing on the right side is required, a press cloth should be used.
• Between wearing, rayon articles may be pressed with a cool iron.

SILK

Only pre-washed silk is washable. Read the label!

• Dry cleaning is generally preferred, since laundering detergent and dyes in other clothes may adversely affect silk fabric.
• For washable silk, follow the care instructions carefully.
• For items without linings and without embellishments attached, careful hand washing is permissible, with mild soap and lukewarm water.
• Chlorine bleach should never be used on silk.
• For long-time storage, silk should be sealed against light, air and insects.

WOOL

• Give wool garments a 24-hour rest between wearing. Hang on shaped or padded hangers, leaving lots of space. In general, wool fibers will shed wrinkles and return to their original shape
• Empty pockets, remove belts and hang with closures zipped and buttoned.
• Fold knits.
• Brush wool to remove surface soil. Use a damp sponge for knits and finer fabrics.
• Refresh wool garments quickly after wearing or unpacking by hanging them in a steamy bathroom. Moisture from the steam will remove wrinkles.
• If wool gets wet, dry the garment at room temperature away from heat. If there's a nap, brush with the nap.
• Remove spots and stains promptly.
• Keep moths away by storing wool with fresh cedar blocks.
• Dry clean once a season(or when stained), and especially before storing.
• Always steam when pressing wool. Use the wool setting. Avoid pressing wool totally dry. When possible, press on the reverse side of the fabric. When necessary to press on the right side, use a press cloth to avoid a shine. Lower and lift the iron, don't slide it back and forth. Prevent imprinting inside detail by placing a piece of brown paper or tissue paper under folds, seams or darts.