caring for handmade

Before washing, keep your Handmade pieces in a separate basket to make sure they don’t get included with your mixed loads of laundry.

Our textiles are mostly handloomed organic natural fibres, so when hand-washing, it is best to use the gentlest soap possible ( we love any organic brand with little or no fragrance) and not to leave the garment soaking, as it can cause yellowing stains.

Very gentle hand wash in cold or warm water, if washing silk or wool, best not to wring the fabric as it can affect and change the structure of the fibre.

Remove all excess water by either gently spinning in the washing machine to help eliminate excess water or rolling the garment in a fresh towel, then laying it over a clothes line in the shade away from direct sunlight, which can fade the eco-dyed botanical colours.

The less you wash your garment the longer the colour will last.. as with all botanical colours, each wash will fade the garment slightly each time.

If you have a good quality washing machine, you can confidently wash your pieces on the hand wash, wool or gentle cycle using cold water, ideally in a delicates bag for extra protection. The gentle spin should help eliminate excess water.
Each garment has already gone through this process to reduce shrinkage.

Alternately to washing you can air your garment out in the breeze and shade.. using Mother Nature to refresh.

We do not advise dry cleaning,  as the chemicals can damage and weaken the garment and also the environment.

Simply store Handmade pieces clean and rolled up into a spiral like shape. Avoid hanging as it can stretch the fabric over the shoulders.

Many of our garments have been hand dyed with environmentally friendly solar dyes and/or Japanese Volcanic Mud dyes. Being chemical free means the dye will not have the longevity of chemical based dyes. Natural dyes will fade over time. The best way to care for naturally dyed fabric is to wash as little as possible, use very gentle, chemical free detergents and dry inside out in the shade.

Caring for cotton clothing is easier than what most people think. When hand washing is not an option, the delicate cycle on your machine is preferred. The use of cold water is recommended. If you do prefer to wash in warm water that is ok. Please only warm water! Hot water WILL shrink cotton.

Linen, one of the oldest known textile fibers, and comes from the stem of the flax plant. Linen fabric is sturdy and durable, moth and perspiration resistant. Linen garments are breathable, soft and become softer and more comfortable with every wear.

Unlike cotton, linen fibers are weaker when wet and are prone to abrasion, and should be laundered with care.

Caring for your silk garments is a simple process. As with most natural fibres, hand washing is best, in cold or warm water with a very gentle detergent. We recommended turning you garment inside out for both washing and drying. Do not rub the fabric and do not wring dry. Squeeze excess water out gently and hang or lay flat in the shade.

Nettle fabric softens with washing! Gently hand wash in cold water with a natural detergent. Do not wring and dry flat as hanging will stretch the fabric.

Hemp is a strong and versitile natural fiber that generally becomes softer with use and washing. It is also more absorbent than cotton. Fabrics that are woven or knitted from hemp yarns last longer than those made from cotton. It can be used alone or blended with various other fibres.

Hemp clothing can be washed at any temperature by hand or in the washing machine.

Hemp fibers can be weakened by chlorine bleach. Undiluted bleach should never be applied directly to the fabric. Even dilute solutions will weaken fibers causing them to rip and wear out.

Line dry or use a lower heat cycle in a tumble dryer for best results. When ironing, use a low heat temperature and turn the garment inside out to prevent marking.

Wool and Cashmere can be hand or machine (delicate or wool cycle) washed.

The golden rule is to NOT use hot water! This will turn your oversized jumper into something that would fit a 2yr old.

Cold or warm water is required. Do not wring wool or cashmere clothes as this can change the shape of the garment. Lay your squeezed out garment on a dry towel and roll up.

The towel will absorb most of the excess water. Lay your garment flat to dry in the shade. Hanging will cause your garment to stretch.

Please ensure that if you are machine washing your wool or cashmere, that your machine is set to use cold water only, or if you are using warm water, that the temp does not exceed 30degrees C.

If hot water is used in any part of the washing cycle it WILL effect the material.

If you choose to iron your garments, ensure your iron is set to delicate for all natural fibres. Many fibres iron better when slightly damp. Additionally turn your garments inside out before ironing.