Linen is ideal for warmer weather as it is lightweight and breathable. It’s very important to know how to take care of linen clothing to ensure long-lasting durability: it can be washed either by hand or on a delicate cycle, preferably in a laundry bag for delicate items. Wash linen in cold or lukewarm water with a mild detergent. Linen can be air-dried flat or on a hanger. Avoid direct sunlight as this may cause fading. Linen is a material that is prone to creasing, so iron your linen garments while they are still damp to ease creasing. Store linen in a cool, dry place with good air circulation.

Silk is a very delicate material and should be handled with the utmost care. How to take care of silk clothes? Silk should preferably be dry cleaned, or it can be hand washed with cold water. Add a few drops of silk-specific detergent for intimates. Let the silk garment soak, then lay it flat to avoid wrinkling. Never wring silk. You can use a towel to gently remove excess water. Silk cannot be tumble-dried, so make sure to air-dry your silk garments away from direct sunlight. When ironing, be very careful not to damage the garment. Once the garment is completely dry, you can iron it inside out on a cool setting. Put a towel in between the iron and the silk garment to further protect the fabric. Store in breathable garment bags away from sunlight and moisture. When traveling, store your silk products in a suit bag to avoid damage from abrasion. Avoid spot-treating at all costs, due to the fragility of the material, it is best to hand-wash the entire piece. Dry your silk garments on a hanger, since pegs could permanently misshape the fabric.

A great pair of jeans is an investment and an absolute wardrobe essential. They might be the most comfortable clothes you own, they’re durable, and they go well with almost anything, but they also demand special care to endure. The golden rule of denim aftercare is to wash less. Generally, it is recommended to wash after wearing them ten times and to spot-treat stains between washes. Use a damp cloth with a little bit of soap and gently pat the stains until they are gone. Washing either your denim skirts and denim jackets less reduces energy and water consumption and ensures that your favorite pieces keep their shape for longer. Turn your jeans inside out before putting them in the washing machine to avoid color fading. Air-dry your jeans to reduce CO2 emissions and the risk of shrinking or damaging them. To maintain the shape after washing, fold your jeans by rolling them up from the hem and gently squeezing them to remove excess moisture. Store your jeans in a dry area, away from humidity to avoid mildew.

Leather is a great material to invest in as it is a durable natural material that ages well over time. It is quite resistant to wear and tear and becomes more comfortable as you wear it. It does however require some care to ensure that it lasts as long as possible. Since it is a natural material, leather can be sensitive to the effects of light, moisture and high temperatures because of its porous nature. Leather can also absorb oil from your skin and other surfaces easily. Use a soft brush to get rid of any buildup on the surface. Next, apply a leather cleaner with a soft leather brush. We recommend doing a test on a small, hidden patch of your leather jacket or leather pants to see how it reacts before using it all over. Once you have determined that the product is safe to use, apply an even, thin layer or use a soft cloth to apply leather cleaner evenly. A white cloth is recommended to avoid any color transfer onto your leather items. Wipe of excess product from the surface using a soft cloth. Use a microfiber cloth or to buff the item until it is dry and then finish off by using a soft leather brush. Finish off by applying a leather conditioner to maintain a supple and flexible finish. You can apply it with a clean white soft cloth or directly onto the leather. Then use a dry cloth to buff the leather. For storage, close all pockets and compartments and place your leather item in a dust bag to protect it from light and dust and prevent cracking or mold. Hang leather garments with padded hangers.

Cotton is one of the most durable fabrics and is easy to take care of. It’s light and breathable, which makes it perfect for warmer summer outfits. But how to take care of cotton clothes? Machine wash with similar colors at a temperature of 30–40°C. Cotton can be air-dried or tumbled-dried on a low heat. It should be ironed on medium heat. Store your cotton t-shirts in drawers or hang it in a closet, ideally in cotton bags to prevent dust build-up. Knitted and crocheted cotton clothing needs even more care: hand wash in cold water and lay flat to dry slowly to prevent stretching or misshaping. In case you stain a cotton garment, soak the item in cold water. After 15 to 30 minutes, gently rub the stain to remove it. Certified organic cotton is a better option for our bodies, as no pesticides or toxic chemicals were used to manufacture the fabric, making it better for the planet and gentler on the skin. To make sure that the look of the fabric is maintained, you should wash the items at a low temperature to risk less shrinkage and use less energy. Lastly, hang dry the items to maintain the softness of the clothing. When searching for organic cotton items make sure to look for certifications like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) or Organic Content Standard (OCS) which have strict requirements for social and ecological standards.

Wool and cashmere garments are delicate and these natural fibers require gentle handling. How to take care of winter clothes? Dry cleaning is the preferred method of cleaning these items. An alternative at-home method to take care of cashmere and wool clothes is hand-washing the garments with cold water and detergent that is made for wool. To dry your wool cardigans, lay them flat to reshape. Never hang wool or cashmere, whether wet or dry, as this will cause the item to stretch and lose shape. Fold your wool or cashmere clothing to retain its form and store with mothballs to avoid finding holes in your most beloved sweaters.

Polyester is one of the most fuss-free and durable fabrics. It resists wrinkling and dries quickly. Machine-wash your polyester garments with cold water and air dry or tumble dry on low heat. Since polyester dries quickly, you can air dry to save electricity. In most cases, polyester does not need to be ironed. Polyester garments can be stored folded or hung in your closet. Even though polyester is easy to deal with, it has a major downside. Synthetic fabrics, like polyester, release microfibers (including plastics) when washed. These microplastics go down the drains of our washing machines and end in our rivers, lakes and oceans. It is estimated that the average person releases around 5 kg of microplastics from their washing machine every year. They pollute our oceans and the animals that live in them, eventually reentering our bodies if and when we consume seafood. What can we do about this? Firstly, we can aim to buy less clothing made of synthetic fibers. Clothing made of synthetic fibers that are already in your closet should be washed less to limit the amount of microplastic pollution and always with cold water. Today there are also some products on the market that claim to keep microplastics from going down the drain of your washing machine. These include laundry bags in which you place your clothes made of synthetic fibers. The bags can be placed directly in the washing machine and collect the microfibers and microplastics that are shed during the wash. Other solutions are microfiber filters that you can attach to your washing machine and other add-ons that collect the microfibers that are released when you wash synthetic fibers. You can then dispose of these fibers by throwing them in your unrecyclable bin.

To preserve and maintain the colors of your favorite clothes, make sure to separate them before washing them to avoid color transfer. White clothes should be washed with other white clothes or very light neutral colors. Make sure that you always do a full load of washing so you don’t waste water. How to take care of black clothes? Blacks and dark colors also need to be washed separately. Air-dry your clothes in the shade to avoid sun fading. Store away from direct light to maintain brightness and avoid yellowing or discoloration. Opt for detergents that help with color preservation.

If you are wondering how to take care of leather bags, the tips for cleaning and storage are the same as the previous paragraph on how to take care of leather. What about suede? Suede bags should not be cleaned using water. They can be cleaned with a dry cloth and suede cleaner. The best approach is to spot-treat any stains on your suede handbags. In the case of stubborn stains, you may need a suede cleaning solution. Put a small amount of cleaning solution on a towel and dab it into the stain. Use rapid side-to-side scrubbing motions then allow it to try. Use a suede brush to gently brush away stains and brush in the same direction to keep a smooth appearance. You can use a suede eraser over stubborn stains and follow it up with your suede brush to smooth the surface again.

When it comes to vegan leather goods, the process for cleaning is a bit different. Start by wiping away dirt with a damp cloth. Avoid using leather cleaners as they could damage the finish of your vegan bag. Store vegan leather items away from direct sunlight and keep them in a cool, dry place. Beach bags like raffia bags can become brittle as it is a natural fiber. Keep it out of direct sunlight and avoid getting it wet. Always store raffia bags in a dust bag in a cool, dry place. Color can rub off onto raffia, so be aware of this when wearing your raffia bags. To clean the metal hardware on your handbags, or to clean metal bags, dip a cotton bud into some metal polish or brass cleaner. Rub the cotton bud onto the hardware and rub gently. Use a soft cloth, preferably white to avoid color transfer, to buff away any tarnished spots on the metal. Avoid touching the leather part of the bag with the metal polish or brass cleaner, as it may cause discoloration. Always store handbags in dust bags to protect them. Stuff your bags with crumpled tissue paper so they retain their shape.

How to take care of leather shoes? They need some TLC now and then. Always fill shoes with tissue paper or shoe trees before cleaning to ensure they retain their shape. Brush away any dust and dirt that has accumulated on the surface of your leather boots or loafers with a shoe brush or even an old toothbrush. Gently wipe your leather shoes with a damp cloth. Optionally, you can add a leather cleaner with a damp cloth. Wipe away excess product and let it dry. Then apply a thin, even layer of leather shoe cream (preferably in a color that suits the shoe) and let it dry. Polish the shoes with a shoe brush or polishing cloth. Lastly, you can add a spray specifically made to protect leather shoes.

To clean your sneakers and running shoes, stuff your shoes with tissue paper or shoe trees to ensure they retain their shape. Brush away any dust and dirt that has accumulated on the surface with a shoe brush or even an old toothbrush. Next, make your cleaning solution by mixing warm water with a teaspoon of mild laundry detergent in a bowl. For shoes that are white or light in color, you can also make a cleaning paste by mixing equal parts baking soda and water. Remove the laces and handwash them with a small amount of the mild cleaning solution. Using a soft-bristled shoe brush, old toothbrush or washcloth, clean the soles of your shoes using the cleaning solution you made. Dry with a soft cloth. Gently brush the uppers with the same tools and cleaning solution. Use a microfiber towel or soft cloth to blot, not rub, and lift the residue from the surface. To clean the in-soles, remove them and clean them with the cleaning solution you created. Make sure they are completely dry before placing them in your sneakers again. The last step is to air-dry your sneakers before wearing them again.

When it comes to suede shoes, you can’t clean them using water. Take a soft cloth and put some suede cleaner on it. The best approach is to spot-treat any stains on your suede shoes. In the case of stubborn stains, you may need a suede cleaning solution. Put a small amount of cleaning solution on a towel and dab it into the stain. Use rapid side-to-side scrubbing motions then allow it to try. Use a suede brush to gently brush away stains and brush in the same direction to keep a smooth appearance. You can use a suede eraser over stubborn stains and follow it up with your suede brush to smooth the surface again. A general tip to preserve your shoes is to add soles to protect the shoe lining against odor and prolong their lifespan. Besides correctly cleaning your shoes, how you store them also determines their longevity. Use crumpled tissue paper or shoe trees to retain the shape of your favorite shoes. Store your shoes in boxes or breathable bags. Store in a cool, dry place and insert silica packets to absorb excess moisture.