Clothing care tips for longer lasting fabrics
With the highly anticipated return of the Great British Sewing Bee, it's the perfect time to take a look at clothing care so that you know how to look after those handmade outfits.
Knowing how to care for your clothes correctly not only helps to keep them looking their best, but also means your clothes will last longer and need replacing less often – making them more sustainable and saving you money!
We've teamed up with Swedish designer Gudrun Sjödén to bring you our complete guide to clothing care, including how to wash those super-delicate fabrics, as well as how best to store your favourite outfits when they're out of season.
We're also taking inspiration from the Great British Sewing Bee's transformation challenge, where the contestants have to use old unwanted items of clothing or fabric scraps (including items such as towels and tablecloths) to create a new garment.
Inspired by this sustainable approach, we've also included our own solutions on how you can repair and upcycle worn out clothing, as well as deciding what to do with clothes that can’t be donated.
- Which fabrics can you put in your washing machine
- What fabrics can you tumble dry
- How to wash silk
- How to wash wool clothing
- How to hand wash knitwear
- How to clean leather and suede
- How to store your clothes
- What to do with old clothes that can't be donated
Treating your textiles with care when you wash, store and wear
Treating your fabrics the right way when you wash, store and wear them will make your clothes look better for longer. You can keep them smooth and bobble-free, while still enjoying the super-soft feeling that makes them so sensual to wear.
Versatility and durability have been the lead words for Swedish designer Gudrun Sjödén since she founded her brand fifty years ago. A testament to this is that we see third-generation Gudrunistas wearing preloved Gudrun pieces today. This is thanks to clothes being designed for a long lifespan and unique collections that form a continuous narrative of colours and patterns rather than conforming to fast-fading trends.
Follow our suggestions and you’ll be wearing your favourite clothes for many years to come. Coupled with Gudrun Sjödén's Summer Capsule collection, there’s never been a better time to learn how to care for your clothing.
Which fabrics can you put in a washing machine?
Different fibres will need their own treatment. Luxury fibres like cashmere, alpaca and silks require particular care and gentle hand washing, whereas many materials like linen and cotton can be washed on cooler machine cycles, which are more environmentally friendly. The best way to wash your materials correctly is to refer to the clothing care instructions on the label.
As a general rule, cotton, linen, polyester and jersey fabrics can all be washed at 30 - 40ºC (Viscose is best washed at 30ºC). That said, many washing machines and detergents are now perfectly capable of washing at cold wash temperatures such as 20ºC, which is much better for the environment.
Clothes with embellishments like embroidery and sequins or with delicate finishes and textures should be washed inside out, or inside a mesh delicates bag.
Wash your natural fibre clothes less often
Clothing made of natural fibres is more breathable than synthetic textiles. Greater breathability reduces the amount of sweat your skin produces. As a result, they generally stay cleaner for longer, meaning you can afford to wash them less.
You can often easily remove small stains by hand, then hanging clothes outside to air will help to freshen them up.
What fabrics can you tumble dry
It can be very tempting to throw everything in the dryer to speed up the drying process and have your garment ready in time for an occasion you urgently want it for. However, taking the time to dry your clothes properly could save you from needing to dry your eyes at the sight of a teeny tiny shrunken top.
Of course, you should always refer to your garment's label, but in general:
Safe to tumble dry on a low setting: Cotton, Linen, Jersey fabrics
Do not tumble dry: Wool, Silk, Polyester
How to wash silk
It's generally advised to hand wash silk to protect its delicate fibres, but check your label as some can be machine washed on a delicate cycle.
Hand wash in cool water with a silk detergent and be careful not to wring it out! Instead, squeeze it very gently before leaving it to air dry on a towel. Don’t go anywhere near it with an iron!
Never tumble dry silk, and try to avoid letting it dry in direct sunlight as this can damage the colours.
How to wash wool clothing
Wool is one of the fabrics that most people worry about when cleaning, and washing knitwear the wrong way can ruin it. In particular, speciality wool fibres like cashmere and alpaca feel wonderful against the skin, but can easily become damaged or lose their shape if you don't follow the right clothing care instructions.
The combination of water, heat and agitation can make the scales on natural fibres bunch up and knot together – a process known as felting. Felting is irreversible. The knitted fabrics shrink and get denser. It’s actually a technique in itself, which can be useful for specific felting projects. But it’s disastrous if it happens by accident in the wash.
It's generally recommended to wash wool garments by hand or using the washing machine’s wool cycle with a detergent specifically for wool. Never wash your knitwear with heavy items like towels and denim, as the weight can bash your delicate knits during the cycle and cause felting.
Should you use a specialist wool wash?
If a garment needs to be washed by hand, it’s considered delicate. You can gently clean delicate fibres with a specialist wool wash. Products like Soak are designed to avoid rinsing out of woollens. Skipping multiple rinses makes handwashing up to six times quicker.
How to hand wash your knitwear
Step 1
Soaking your knitwear
Fill a bucket with tepid water, mix in a teaspoonful of wool wash, and leave your knitwear to soak for at least twenty minutes. This gives time for the fibres in the wool to get properly saturated and soak up the water.
Step 2
Dislodge the dirt from the garment
Gently move the garment in the water to dislodge any larger bits of dirt. Keep the motion gentle to make sure you don’t encourage any of the fibres in the garment to lock together and cause felting.
Step 3
Draining water from the garment
Carefully lift the garment out of the water and gently squeeze. Never wring out wet woollen garments, as they’re more delicate when wet. Wringing or twisting the wet fabric can stretch and snap the fibres, which will wear the garment out more quickly.
Step 4
Removing water with absorbent towels
If the garment is still very wet, press it gently between two towels to remove as much of the remaining water as possible.
Step 5
Shape your knitwear to dry
Remove your knitted garment from between the towels. Gently manipulate it into the shape you want. Leave it to dry flat.
"Roll the wool garment in a terry towel and gently squeeze to remove the water. Reshape the garment while it is damp and spread it out flat to dry"
Gudrun Sjödén
How to shape your knitwear after washing
For more advice on getting knits into the right shape, take a look at our how to block knitting projects article.
How to clean leather and suede
Items made from leather or suede can also prove a bit trickier to clean, as using water can damage the material's appearance. The first thing to do is treat your new items with a coat of stain and water-repellent spray before using them for the first time.
Light stains or dirt should be removed with a brush or wiped off with a dry cloth. For suede, giving it a regular brush will also help to refresh the fabric (it stops the nap getting clogged up), and if you don't have a specialist suede brush, an old toothbrush will also do the trick. If you have significant or stubborn staining, it's best to take your items to a professional for cleaning.
Vegan or faux leather is a bit more forgiving, as it's usually made from plastic, so you can normally just wash these with warm, soapy water to remove stains.
Storing your clothing so it lasts longer
Storing your clothing correctly will help keep it safe from dust and potential moth damage. Always make sure it is fresh and clean before you put it away.
Plastic containers and zip-lock bags are great at keeping moths out, but they don’t let any air pass, which is critical for keeping garments fresh. If you do want to use plastic, open up containers regularly to air out your garments.
We recommend trying cotton bags or cotton pillowcases instead of plastic, as both allow natural fibres to breathe. They’ll also still keep moths out, since the larvae can’t eat through cotton.
What to do with old clothes that can’t be donated?
Despite your best efforts to look after your clothes, there will be times when they get worn or damaged. Charity shops and thrift stores, whilst great for a bargain, won’t sell clothes that are damaged or worn. So, what do you do with old clothes that can’t be donated?
Is repair possible?
First off, can you repair the item? With thinning knitwear, you can reinforce the stitches with Swiss darning. The technique, also known as duplicate stitch, is a great way to hide worn areas, like elbows or heels.
If you've found a hole in your favourite jeans or jersey fabrics, you can always learn how to sew a patch to make them last that bit longer. You can also make a unique feature of your fix by trying visible mending, or take a look at our complete guide to mending clothes for more tips and techniques.
What if I can’t fix it?
If the item is too damaged for repair, turn it into something else! Just like on the Great British Sewing Bee's transformation challenge, getting creative with old clothing is a great way to bring sustainability into your sewing.
For example, old jumpers make ideal cushion covers. Cut off the worn area, bind the raw edges to stop fraying, then use our how to make a cushion cover project to upcycle your garment.
Alternatively, you can keep wearing your luxury knits by making them into new garments. Our upcycled sweater project lets you combine three garments into one for a stylish upcycling masterpiece.
If you've got a favourite band T-shirt that no longer fits or is starting to get worn out, you could always try turning it into a T-shirt quilt, and an old pair of jeans can be refashioned into a denim skirt or even plant pots!
Need some more inspiration? Then check out our pick of the best sustainable sewing projects.
Where to go when charity shops won’t accept old clothes
Items too worn to be resold will always be appreciated by homeless charities. Warm woollens make brilliant base layers, after all. You can also use soft fibres to stuff toys, cushions, and foot stools.
Natural fibres that decompose fully make good compost heap covers to speed up home composting.
Caring for your clothes to extend their life
Looking after your clothes will give you many more years of wear. It’s better for the environment to invest in quality items you love and make them last, rather than buying fast fashion. You can always upcycle old clothes into new ones to stay stylish every season, provided you invest in quality material and kits to maintain them.
A few simple changes when washing and storing your clothes will keep them in great condition, looking fresh, fluffy and bobble-free for longer.
Explore clothes that are made to last with the Gudrun Sjödén Summer Capsule Collection
The love for natural fibres and textiles is at the centre of the Gudrun Sjödén brand and is reflected in the 2025 Summer Capsule Collection. Airy linen and organic cotton with artisanal details of block prints and embroidery tell the sun-drenched story of endless summer…
Knowing your textiles and how to care for them will ensure your Gudrun favourites last longer. Make your wardrobe more sustainable by washing clothes less frequently, hanging them out to air, and repairing them when needed. Why not have fun and be creative when giving your clothes a new lease of life?
Experiment with natural dyes or visible mending to create unique features! In the London concept store, you can be inspired and try your hand at various handicraft techniques at regular workshops led by artisans.
Be proud of your cherished vintage Gudrun styles.