Your Expert Guide To Caring For Every Fabric In Your Closet

Maintaining a pristine condition of your favourite fabrics can be simple with the right care. Knowing the makeup of the fabric and the right cleaning methods will keep these pieces looking natural and intact for seasons to come.

Merino

Merino wool is a soft and remarkably light fabric coming from the Merino sheep. The lightness of the wool makes it ideal for warm or cool weather. The lush fabric is naturally breathable, making it easy to keep comfortable outdoors. Wash merino wool on a cool or warm temperature with a gentle shampoo such as a baby shampoo, neutral mild detergent or a specific cashmere and wool detergent. Do not use bleach as it will damage the fibres and avoid fabric softener which coats the fibres reducing their beneficial abilities. Merino wool is odour resistant but if it happens to pick up some odours, you can pre-soak the piece for 30 minutes in cool water mixed with ¼ of vinegar. When washing in a washing machine, turn your piece inside out and wash in a mesh washing bag and use the delicates cycle. Afterward do not put in the dryer but lay out to dry which it will do quickly. Merino wool is also beneficial to the environment by way of the fewer washes. It’s now being used in more than simply active clothing but also more sustainable fashion forward pieces. This is the Unbound Merino Wool T-shirt we tested on Cityline.

Cotton

Cotton is a common fabric for many pieces of clothing, from t-shirts to denim but we have all had experience with an accidental shrinking! It’s a natural breathable fabric made from the cotton plant. It is becoming more common for cotton pieces to be made from pre-shrunk fabric which makes it less stressful to wash. To keep on the safe side of things, always wash in cold water which helps prevent shrinkage but also will protect the colour saturation of cotton. Even over drying in a hot dryer will also cause shrinkage so dry cotton in a lower heat (your dryer may already have a cotton setting). Also it is key to hang as soon as it’s out of the dryer to prevent wrinkles. Chlorine bleach can be added to white cotton wash loads to remove stains.

Linen

Linen is made from the flax plant and is popular in the summer for it’s lightness but it wrinkles like crazy! Be sure to check the care label on linen garments but most prefer dry cleaning. Tip – linen absorbs more water during the washing process so don’t over crowd the washer. Also, iron linen from the inside out, using steam at a hot seating.

Hemp

Hemp is becoming more popular because it’s a high yield crop that produces significantly more fibre per acre than cotton or flax. Really it’s been around for thousands of years from making paper in China or rope and canvas in the Middle East and Asia. Hemp breathes well for warm weather but wrinkles easily. Unfortunately it kind of scratches the skin and doesn’t really absorb dyes well, so moving past that more granola style is a challenge. You should wash in cold water and with similar colours as the dyes will bleed. Air dry to prevent wrinkles and shrinkage.

Synthetic Fabrics

Polyesters, pylons, acrylics and acetates won’t shiner and will resist water based stains. However they have major static issues so fabric softener is needed. You can wash in cold water with a normal detergent. A hot dryer may permanently wrinkle so dry on low.

Workout Clothes

Your workout clothes work hard for you and get soaked with sweat and all the other stuff your body emits. Workout wear is made of fabrics that wick and offer support and stretch. Detergents and fabric softeners are damaging to these expensive fabrics. Avoid adding more detergent to counter the amount of sweat. Fabric softener leaves a coating that will counter all the benefits of the fabric like trapping sweat and odours. Instead try adding half a cup of white vinegar as it will take care of any odours. Big tip is to turn it inside out – all the sweat and work of these pieces is done inside – but also it protects the colour from fading. Use half the recommended detergent and wash in cold water to protect the fabric from breaking down. Either air dry or use the lowest setting on your dryer to protect the fabric and extend the life of your pieces.