Care Guide

Good clothes reward a little care. Looked after well, a coat or a knit will see you through many winters. Always follow the care label inside each piece first; the notes below are general advice for when the label leaves room.

Knitwear

• Wash only when needed. Airing a knit overnight often freshens it.
• Hand wash in cool water with a gentle wool detergent, or use your machine's wool or hand-wash cycle if the label allows.
• Never wring. Press out the water, roll the piece in a towel, then dry it flat away from direct heat.
• Fold knitwear rather than hanging it, so the shoulders keep their shape.
• Small pills are normal where a knit rubs. Lift them gently with a fabric comb or a sweater shaver.

Coats and jackets

• Hang coats on a wide, shaped hanger and leave room in the closet so they can breathe.
• Brush wool and wool-blend coats after wear to lift dust and refresh the nap.
• Deal with marks early with a damp cloth, dabbing rather than rubbing.
• For a full clean, use a professional cleaner if the label says so, ideally at the end of the season before storing.
• Store clean, in a breathable garment bag, never in plastic.

Leather and suede

• If leather gets wet, let it dry naturally at room temperature, away from radiators and direct heat.
• Feed smooth leather with a suitable conditioner a few times a year to keep it supple.
• Brush suede with a suede brush to restore the nap, and treat it with a protector spray before wet weather.
• Store leather and suede somewhere cool and dry, out of direct sunlight.

Shoes and boots

• Give shoes a day off between wears so they can dry out and keep their shape.
• Use shoe trees or stuff boots with paper to hold their shape.
• Clean off salt and mud promptly in winter, then polish or protect.

Cotton, linen and everyday pieces

• Wash at a cool temperature with similar colors, turned inside out.
• Linen and cotton iron best while still slightly damp.
• Line drying keeps colors richer and fabrics softer than a hot dryer.

Storing for the season

Clean everything before you put it away, as moths are drawn to worn fabric. Store wool and knitwear folded in breathable bags with cedar or lavender, and air pieces out when you bring them back out.