Ultimate Care Guide
The complete encyclopedia to save, repair and maintain your precious garments. Professional methods validated by our textile experts.
Emergencies: Saving a Damaged Garment
Professional techniques to recover your precious pieces. Each protocol has been validated by our textile experts.
Stained Silk
How to save stained silk
Silk is fragile but recoverable if you act fast. Here is our professional 5-step protocol.
- Act within 30 minutes: blot (do not rub) with a clean white cloth and lukewarm water
- If greasy stain: apply talcum powder or fuller earth, leave for 2h, brush gently
- If liquid stain: mix 1/3 white vinegar + 2/3 water, blot without saturating
- Rinse with clear lukewarm water, never wring
- Dry flat on towel, away from sun and radiators
Felted Wool
Reviving a felted sweater
Felting is reversible in 80% of cases with our professional technique.
- Préparé a lukewarm bath (30C max) with 2 tablespoons hair conditioner
- Soak the sweater for 30 minutes without moving it
- Drain without wringing, then gently stretch fibers in all directions
- Repeat 2-3 times if necessary
- Dry flat on towel, reshape every 2h
Stained Leather
Cleaning a leather stain
Full grain leather can be saved with the right techniques.
- Identify the type of stain: water, oil, ink, wine
- For water stain: let dry naturally, stain often disappears on its own
- For greasy stain: fuller earth + wait 4h + brush
- For ink: blot with diluted household alcohol (test on hidden area)
- Nourish leather with natural wax after treatment
Pilling Cashmere
Eliminate pills permanently
Pills are normal but can be reduced with the right methods.
- Use an electric fabric shaver (not a manual razor)
- Stretch fabric on a flat surface
- Pass the shaver lightly, without pressing
- Brush with a soft bristle brush
- Hand wash cold water + mild shampoo to prevent
Wrinkled Linen
De-wrinkle linen without iron
Linen wrinkles easily but can be restored quickly.
- Lightly spray the garment with water
- Gently stretch with hands in the direction of fibers
- Hang in bathroom during a hot shower
- Let dry naturally in open air
- For perfect finish: iron at linen température, maximum steam
Faded Color
Recovering a faded color
A faded color can often be restored.
- Identify if color has truly faded or if it is a deposit
- If deposit: rewash alone with salt (natural fixative)
- If faded: home dyeing with special textile kit
- Respect température and dyeing time
- Rinse with vinegar water to fix
Care Guide by Material
Professional protocols for each type of fiber. Click on a material to access the complete guide.
Natural Silk
Natural protein fiber produced by the silkworm. Quality Mulberry silk (22+ momme) can last 25 years with proper care.
Washing
- Ideal: Hand wash, cold water (20-25C), gentle shampoo or Marseille soap
- Acceptable: Professional dry cleaning (perchloroethylene solvent)
- Avoid: Machine wash even on delicate cycle, hot water, bleach
- Frequency: After 3-4 wears, or when stained
Drying
- Roll in a clean towel to absorb excess water
- Dry flat, away from direct light
- Never wring or twist
- Keep away from heat sources (radiator, sun)
Ironing
- Iron on reverse side, silk temperature (150C max)
- Use a pressing cloth or thin fabric
- Light steam acceptable
- Never iron over a damp stain
Storage
- Fold gently, avoid hangers (distortion)
- Store in cotton or silk pouch
- Add anti-moth sachet (cedar or lavender)
- Air out storage each season
Expert Tip
Silk strengthens with each gentle wash. A fragrance-free baby shampoo is ideal. Add 1 teaspoon of white vinegar to rinse water to restore shine.
Grade A Cashmere
Fiber from the Cashmere goat, Grade A quality (14-15 micron fibers). Exceptional lifespan of 15-20 years with proper care.
Washing
- Ideal: Hand wash, cold water (15-20C), wool shampoo
- Acceptable: Professional dry cleaning (gentle solvent)
- Avoid: Machine wash, hot water, rubbing, wringing
- Frequency: After 5-6 wears, or when stained
Drying
- Gently press in a towel
- Dry flat on a towel, reshape the piece
- Never hang (distortion)
- Keep away from all heat sources
Ironing
- Steam only, no contact
- If ironing needed: low temperature, pressing cloth
- Brush gently afterwards to refluff fibers
Storage
- Fold, never hang
- Breathable cotton bag
- Natural moth repellent (cedar)
- Take out and air monthly
Expert Tip
Pilling is normal on cashmere. Use an electric fabric shaver once per season (never a manual razor). Cashmere improves with age when well cared for.
Merino Wool
Natural fiber from Merino sheep. Thermoregulating and antibacterial. Lifespan 10-15 years with adequate care.
Washing
- Ideal: Hand wash, lukewarm water (30C max), wool detergent
- Acceptable: Machine wool cycle, 400 rpm spin max
- Avoid: Hot water, rubbing, sudden temperature changes
- Frequency: After 4-5 wears (wool self-cleans naturally)
Drying
- Press without wringing
- Dry flat on a towel
- Reshape while drying
- Away from sun and radiator
Ironing
- Steam without contact is ideal
- Ironing: wool temperature, damp pressing cloth
- Brush afterwards to refluff
Storage
- Fold, do not hang
- Breathable bag or drawer
- Moth repellent essential
- Air regularly
Expert Tip
Wool has self-cleaning properties. Airing 24h between wears is often enough. Excessive washing prematurely wears fibers.
Full-Grain Leather
Tanned animal skin, uncorrected top layer. Full-grain leather can last 25-30 years and develops a patina over time.
Cleaning
- Daily: Soft dry cloth to dust
- Weekly: Slightly damp cloth
- Monthly: Glycerin soap + water, dry naturally
- Annual: Professional leather cleaner
Conditioning
- Apply natural wax or leather balm every 3-6 months
- Apply in thin layers, let penetrate 30 min
- Buff with soft cloth
- Avoid silicone products
Protection
- Waterproof before first use
- Renew protection every 6 months
- Dry naturally if wet (no radiator)
- Avoid prolonged sun exposure
Storage
- Stuff with tissue paper to maintain shape
- Store in cotton cover
- Away from humidity and heat
- Air regularly
Expert Tip
Well-maintained leather develops a beautiful patina. Small scratches often disappear with a circular finger massage (natural skin oil).
100% European Linen
Natural fiber from European-grown flax. Breathable, antibacterial, ecological. Lifespan 15-20 years.
Washing
- Ideal: Machine 40C, normal cycle
- Acceptable: Hand wash
- Avoid: Hot water (>60C), bleach
- Frequency: After 1-2 wears (wrinkles easily)
Drying
- Moderate spin (800 rpm max)
- Air drying is ideal
- Stretch while drying
- Remove from dryer while still slightly damp
Ironing
- Iron while still damp for easier results
- Linen temperature (200-220C)
- Maximum steam
- Iron on reverse to avoid shine
Storage
- Fold or roll
- Avoid hangers (distortion)
- Airy storage
- Linen develops a patina over time
Expert Tip
Linen becomes softer and smoother with each wash. Wrinkling is part of linen charm - for a relaxed look, skip ironing and embrace natural creases.
Egyptian Cotton
Natural fiber from the cotton plant. Egyptian long-staple cotton is more resistant and soft. Lifespan 8-12 years.
Washing
- Ideal: Machine 40-60C, standard detergent
- Organic cotton: 30-40C, ecological detergent
- White: 60C with powder detergent
- Frequency: After each wear
Drying
- Air drying is ideal
- Tumble dryer acceptable (possible shrinkage)
- Shake before hanging
- Remove from dryer while slightly damp
Ironing
- Cotton temperature (180-200C)
- Iron damp or use steam
- On reverse for dark colors
- Starching possible for collar and cuffs
Storage
- Fold or hang on hanger
- Standard storage
- Fully dry before storing
- Avoid humidity
Expert Tip
Quality Egyptian cotton does not pill. Check for Egyptian origin and GOTS certification for organic. Quality cotton becomes softer over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Expert answers to the most common questions about garment care.
No, we strongly advise against machine washing silk, even on the delicate cycle. The mechanical agitation and spin cycle damage silk fibres. Hand washing in cold water (20-25C) with a gentle shampoo remains the optimal method. If you are short on time, entrust your silk to a professional dry cleaner using appropriate solvents.
Act quickly! Blot (do not rub) with an absorbent cloth. Apply fine salt to the wet stain to absorb the liquid. Rinse with lukewarm water then treat with a 50/50 mix of hydrogen peroxide and cold water. Leave for 10 minutes before washing normally. For old stains, soak in warm milk for 2 hours before washing.
Yes, in 80% of cases! Soak the jumper in lukewarm water (max 30C) with 2 tablespoons of hair conditioner. Leave to soak for 30 minutes without agitating. Drain without wringing, then gently stretch the fibres in all directions. Repeat 2-3 times if needed. Dry flat on a towel, reshaping every 2 hours.
Yes, absolutely. Waterproofing protects leather from water, stains and premature ageing. Apply a spray or aerosol waterproofer before first use, then renew every 6 months. Choose a silicone-free product that lets the leather breathe. After waterproofing, nourish the leather with a natural wax to maintain suppleness.
Pilling is unavoidable with cashmere but can be minimised. Avoid machine washing, rubbing and prolonged wear without rest. Hand wash in cold water with gentle shampoo. Use an electric fabric shaver once a season (never a manual razor). Brush gently after each wear with a soft-bristle brush. Grade A cashmere pills less than lower-quality grades.
It depends on the fabric and use. Cotton and linen: after each wear. Wool and cashmere: after 4-6 wears (these fibres self-clean naturally). Silk: after 3-4 wears. Leather: no washing, annual cleaning only. Over-washing prematurely wears out fibres and wastes water. Airing garments between wears extends their freshness.
With extreme caution. Bleach weakens cotton fibres and can cause yellow stains if not rinsed properly. Opt for oxygen whitener (sodium percarbonate) which is gentler. If you do use bleach, dilute it and do not exceed 10 minutes of soaking. Rinse thoroughly. Quality Egyptian cotton maintains its whiteness naturally with a 60C wash.
Wash or clean all garments before storing (stains attract moths). Fold wool and cashmere jumpers, never use hangers. Use breathable cotton garment bags. Add natural moth repellents (cedar, lavender). Stuff leather bags with tissue paper. Store in a dry, ventilated place. Take out and air monthly.
For certain fabrics, yes. Silk, cashmere and structured pieces (coats, suits) benefit from professional dry cleaning. The solvents used are gentler on fibres than water. However, a correctly executed home wash is preferable to poor-quality dry cleaning. For cotton, linen and robust fabrics, home washing is sufficient and more economical.
Check the composition label: 100% natural fibre is ideal. For cashmere, look for certification or origin. For silk, check the momme weight (22+ is excellent). Examine the seams: straight, even, no loose threads. The fabric should be dense and uniform. Fabric Index 2026 Misleading Fabrics Barometer
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