Natural Fibers keep you comfortable ... Take Good Care of them Too!
One of the most frequent questions I am asked (and ask myself when purchasing clothing) is "How to I take care of this?" From the breezy elegance of silk to the timeless comfort of cotton, each fabric in your wardrobe deserves its own kind of TLC. Understanding how to care for different textiles not only keeps your clothes looking their best, but also helps them last longer. Here’s a handy guide to treating your fabrics right.
Download a printable Fabric Care Quick Guide.
Silk — The Luxurious Choice
Washing: Hand wash in cool water with baby shampoo. Avoid wringing. Silk is a protein fiber, just like hair, so baby shampoo is an excellent cleanser - you can even use conditioner on silk.
Drying: Hang silk items dripping wet on a sturdy hanger. This allows any potential wrinkles to 'drip out' of the item.
Ironing: Use a low to medium heat setting, preferably with a pressing cloth. Steaming a silk item often works better than ironing.
Extra Tip: If a silk items looks wrinkled, hang it in the bathroom while you shower - the steam acts as a natural iron. Also, hand dyed silks may bleed a little when first washed. If it is excessive or continues, soak the item in a sinkful of cold water with 1 cup of white vinegar, then rinse - the vinegar helps set the dye.
Linen — Cool, Crisp, and Naturally Chic
Linen loves a relaxed look, but it also loves a little structure.
Washing: Machine wash in cool or lukewarm water on a gentle cycle. To keep that linen texture and feel, minimize the amount of "rubbing" that occurs during the washing process
Drying: Air dry or tumble on low — high heat can make linen brittle over time. Try drying on heat for 5 minutes, then hanging.
Ironing: While linen wrinkles easily, ironing while still slightly damp can make it easier to achieve that smooth, tailored look. Steaming is a convenient way to refresh and de-wrinkle.
Extra Tip: Embrace the wrinkles! They’re part of linen’s charm.
Rayon — The Soft Impersonator
Washing: Hand wash in cold water to prevent shrinking and distortion or wash on the DELICATE cycle by itself in the machine. Rayon is more fragile when wet so handle carefully.
Drying: Lay flat to dry — avoid twisting or wringing. Hanging when fully wet can pull a shape out. Tumble dry rayon jersey - by itself (so it does not get twisted) - on LOW heat and then lay out to finish drying.
Ironing: Use a low setting, and always iron on the reverse side.
Extra Tip: Rayon is prone to shrinking (unless it has been pre-washed) so keep that in mind when purchasing.
Cotton — The Everyday Hero
Cotton is durable, breathable, and low-maintenance — but not indestructible.
Washing: Machine wash in warm or cold water, depending on the garment’s needs. Separate lights and darks to prevent color transfer.
Drying: Tumble dry on low or line dry to prevent fading.
Ironing: Medium to high heat works well, with steam if needed.
Extra Tip for Cotton T-shirts: Machine wash cotton t-shirts in cold water, tumble dry for 5 minutes with heat, then hang them up to finish drying. The dryer is what destroys your favorite t-shirt.
Wool — The Cozy Overachiever
Washing: Hand wash in lukewarm water with wool-specific detergent.
Drying: Lay flat to dry — never hang, as wet wool can stretch out of shape.
Ironing: Steam lightly, or press with a cloth on a low heat setting.
Extra Tip: Store with cedar blocks or lavender sachets to deter moths.
Hemp – Similar to linen: strong, breathable, softens over time. Wash cool, air dry, medium iron.
Bamboo – Technically a semi-synthetic when used for fabric, but often marketed as natural. Soft, breathable, often machine-washable on gentle.
Cashmere – A type of wool: very soft, needs gentle hand washing in cool water or dry cleaning.
Alpaca – Another luxury animal fiber: similar care to wool, but less prone to pilling and itchiness.
Natural Fiber Blends
Blends (like cotton-linen or wool-silk) combine the properties of each fiber, but care instructions depend on the more delicate component. A good Rule of thumb:
Always follow the most cautious care method among the fibers listed on the label.
Blends often wrinkle or shrink less, but high heat can still damage them.
Test a small hidden area before ironing or spot cleaning.
Final Thought
Each fabric has its own personality and quirks, so treat your wardrobe like the diverse and fabulous collection it is. A little extra care now means you’ll enjoy your favorite pieces for years to come.