How to protect, wash and store wool and silk clothing

1. Caring for Wool
and Silk

2. Wool
Washing
Dry cleaning is the safest option,
but most wool or cashmere
garments should be suitable for
hand washing
Spot clean any marks first, using
cold water and a brush
Woollen clothing should be
soaked in cold water for a few
hours before washing – this will
help stop them from shrinking
Wash the wool in warm water
with a small amount of soap or
detergent
Move the garment gently, and
leave it to soak for 10 minutes
Rinse with clean, warm water
Refill the sink or tub rather than
using a running tap to rinse – the
water pressure could stretch the
wool fibres
Gently squeeze out excess water,
rather than wringing it dry

3. Wool
Storage
To deter moths:
Pack woollen garments away with cedar blocks or lavender,
or sprinkle them with black pepper
Chemical deterrents can be bought, but they tend to add a
toxic smell to the fabric
For long-term storage, keep wool in sealed plastic wrapping
to protect it from moths

4. Wool
Protecting Wool
• Never expose wool to direct heat – it will damage the fibres
and cause them to shrink
• Never wring out or stretch wool when it’s wet – this will make
it lose its elasticity and shape
• Dry flat, rather than hanging, to keep the garment’s shape
• Use a steamer or the steam setting on an iron to tackle any
wrinkles

5. Silk
It’s easier to protect silk than it is to remove stains:
• Avoid any contact with perfume, deodorant, hair spray or bleach
• Only iron the backside of a garment, and don’t spray it with water
when ironing
• Don’t leave silk exposed to direct sunlight
• Don’t use water to tackle marks, and never wring silk dry
• Test a small area first when cleaning, to check that you’re happy
with the results

6. Silk
Cleaning
• Dry cleaning is the fail-safe option, but not the only choice
• Most silk garments can be hand washed as long as you’re careful
• Soak the fabric in room temperature water for up to 5 minutes,
with a mild soap or special silk shampoo
• (The exception is dark coloured or printed silk – wash these quickly
in cold water, and don’t leave them to soak)
• You can gently rub any stains, but rubbing them too roughly risks
damaging the fabric
• Rinse with cold water and a teaspoon of vinegar – this will remove
the soap

7. Silk
After Cleaning
• Never wring silk when it’s wet, and handle it carefully –
it’s especially delicate after washing
• Lie the garment flat on a dry towel, and roll it up into a
log shape. After the first towel has absorbed the excess
moisture, unroll the bundle and leave your garment to
dry flat atop a second, dry towel
• Iron silk while it’s still damp
• Be careful not to use too high a temperature – heat will
permanently damage silk – and don’t spray it with water

8. Silk
Storage
• Use plastic or wooden hangers – they need to be
rustproof
• For long-term storage, protect hanging garments with
cotton bags, or pack them away using acid-free tissue
and boxes
• Keep silk in cool, dry spaces and never wrap it in plastic
Always check the care instructions on your garment and
follow these closely