Fabric care guides
Look up the fabric on the label, and see how to wash, dry, iron and store it so it lasts. The care label on your garment always comes first.
Pick a fabric
- Cotton: Machine wash warm or cold, tumble dry low or line dry.
- Wool: Hand wash or use a wool cycle, cold, then dry flat.
- Silk: Hand wash cold with silk detergent, air dry in the shade.
- Linen: Machine wash warm or cold, line dry, iron damp.
- Cashmere: Hand wash cool, press out water, dry flat.
- Denim: Wash rarely, inside out, in cold water. Line dry.
- Polyester: Machine wash warm or cold, tumble dry low.
- Nylon: Wash cool on a gentle cycle, air dry or tumble low.
- Viscose and rayon: Check the label. Hand wash cold or dry clean, and never wring.
- Leather: Wipe with a damp cloth, condition twice a year, never machine wash.
- Suede: Brush with a suede brush, protect with spray, keep it dry.
- Down and puffer jackets: Wash on gentle with down wash, tumble dry low with dryer balls until fully dry.
Questions
Where do I find the care instructions?
On the care label sewn into the garment, usually at the side seam or the back of the neck. The symbols tell you the maximum wash temperature, whether you can tumble dry and how hot the iron can be.
Is a lower temperature always safe?
Yes. The temperature on the label is the maximum. Washing colder is safe for the fabric, though it may clean less well for heavily soiled items.
How often should I wash clothes?
Jeans, knitwear, coats and suits need washing far less than underwear, tees and activewear. Airing a garment after wearing often does the job. Washing less also makes clothes last longer.
More: Laundry symbols · Colors · All wardrobe tools