CLEANING AND CARE

Learning how to take proper care of different garments is the first step to reduce the carbon footprint of your wardrobe, while keeping your favorite clothes perfect for the generations to come. 

Since we work with delicate natural fabrics - mostly dyed, woven or printed by hand - you are kindly advised to follow the wash care instructions provided on our website or the labels attached to the garment.

For embroideries, shibori, natural dyes and eri silk, dry cleaning is mandatory to prevent bleeding and shrinkage.

Although some of our pieces can be hand-washed or machine washed using a delicate cycle, we strongly recommend looking after your clothes with utmost care. 

 

HESS' WASH CARE INSTRUCTIONS 

 

Hand embroidered garments

  • Dry clean only;
  • When ironing at home, we suggest placing a thin cotton layer between the iron and your garment.
  • Iron on reverse using medium heat;
  • Spot clean if needed.

 

Cleaning and care for naturally dyed garments

We only work with partners that use real natural dyes and avoid any chemical fixing process. Although the color is naturally fixed (usually with alum), dry cleaning is mandatory to prevent bleeding and fasting. 

  • Dry clean only;
  • Spot clean if needed;
  • When ironing at home, we suggest placing a thin cotton layer between the iron and your garment.
  • Iron on reverse using medium heat;
  • Store your clothes in a dark place to keep the color bright for longer.

 

Block Prints

If your block printed garment includes any kind of hand embroidery, dry cleaning is mandatory to prevent bleeding. 

For regular hand block printed clothes:

  • Hand wash separately in cold water or use the a delicate machine cycle at no more than 30 degrees;
  • We suggest using a mild or non-enzyme liquid detergent;
  • Due to the artisanal nature of these prints, do not soak them under water to prevent bleeding;
  • Air dry in the shadow;
  • Do not tumble dry;
  • Do not wring;
  • Iron on reverse.

 

Eri silk

 

  • Dry clean only;
  • Spot clean if needed;
  • Eri silk can be ironed on reverse. Use a medium heat and place a thin cotton layer between the iron and your garment.

 

Linen

Garments made from linen can be either hand washed or machine-washed. For longevity, we recommend the first.

Please note that although linen gets softer with every wash, wrinkles, crumples and creases are part of its nature.

 

Hand wash:

  • Fill a container with cold or lukewarm water and add your detergent;
  • Then submerge the linen garment and let it it soak for 5 minutes.
  • Don't wring or twist, just gently swish the item around.
  • Rinse repeatedly, until the residue is all gone. 
  • Line-dry in the shadow;
  • Use a medium-hot iron on the fabric while it's still damp or overlay with a towel. 

Machine wash:

  • For best results, we advise you to wash your linen garments separately from other fabrics;
  • Choose a gentle cycle and use cold to lukewarm water (30 degree), as high temperatures may cause shrinkage and weaken the fabrics;
  • Use a mild or non-enzyme liquid detergent formulated for delicate clothes;
  • Line-dry in the shadow;
  • Use a medium-hot iron on the fabric while it's still damp or overlay with a towel. 

 

Handwoven cotton

  • Dry clean only;
  • Iron on reverse using medium heat;
  • Spot clean if needed.

 

Click here to learn more about our favorite materials and artisanal techniques.  If you can't find the answer to your question on this page, get in touch with us through Instagram or email info@hessbyhess.com.