care for fabrics

Here are some tips to better care for your articles:

• Hand wash bras in mild detergent
• Do not apply detergent onto dry clothes in washing machine
• Turn the clothes inside out before putting the washing out to dry to prevent lightening of the fabric in the sun
• As much as possible dry in the shade. Hand wash woolens in lukewarm water with wool detergent. Squeeze dry flat in the shade
• Silk: a little hair shampoo works well. Partly dry, then freeze in plastic bag. Iron whilst still cold
• Cotton: avoid hot dryers. (Elliot Kennedy is fine in a warm drier)
• Polar fleece: there are genuine polar fleece fabrics, often reflected by price and label, and some "polar fleece style fabrics", warm and durable, but without the great insulation a good genuine polar fleece offers. Ask our staff to guide you
• Stretch fabrics: there are lots of different stretch fabrics, often mixes of cotton (95%) and Lycra (5%). Protect the stretch by using mild detergent. NO DRYERS.
• Swimwear: rinse in cold water
• Winter garments: they can be out of action through the long summer months on the north coast. Clean them at the end of winter then store in a dry place with appropriate moth protection
• Hats: good quality straw hats are not decoration items for hooks and hat stands in bedrooms! Keep them in shape by storing them flat. Helen Kaminski hats usually come with a beautifully made hatbox
• Shoes: clean regularly, dry out if they get wet. If you work around heavy bleaches or beer most rubber soles won't last
• Modal: a sophisticated cellulose-derived knit fabric that handles the heat well