Buying a piece you love is only half the story. How you care for it determines how long it stays looking beautiful — and how many times you actually get to wear it.
Different fabrics have different needs. What works for denim can damage satin. What's fine for cotton can ruin lace. This fabric care guide walks you through exactly what each material needs so your clothes last wash after wash, wear after wear.
Before You Wash Anything — A Few Universal Rules
Regardless of fabric type, these habits will protect your clothes every single time:
- Always turn garments inside out before washing — this reduces friction on the outer surface and preserves colour and texture
- Use cold water (20°C) unless otherwise specified — cold washing protects fibres and prevents shrinkage
- Never soak — prolonged soaking weakens fabric fibres over time
- Never tumble dry — heat damages most fabrics and causes shrinkage
- Treat stains before washing — don't throw a stained garment straight into the machine. Pre-treat the stain first for the best results
- Always use gentle detergents — opt for mild fragrance, non-fragrance, or baby-safe formulas. Avoid detergents that combine stain removal and washing, as these can be too harsh on delicate fibres
Satin
Satin is a delicate, smooth fabric that requires careful handling — especially when it comes to snags. Before wearing, avoid accessories with sharp or metal edges such as jewellery or handbags that could easily hook onto the fabric and cause pulls or permanent damage.
How to wash:
- Turn inside out and wash at cold temperature (20°C)
- Machine wash on a gentle cycle with low spin mode (400 RPM)
- Place in a mesh laundry bag for added protection
- Ensure zips and hooks are fastened before washing — these can cause thread runs
- No soaking. No dryer.
- Treat stains before washing and avoid detergents that combine stain removal and washing
- Use gentle detergents only — mild fragrance, non-fragrance, or baby-safe
Shop our satin collection
Polyester
Polyester is one of the more forgiving fabrics to care for — but it still rewards gentle handling to maintain its shape and finish over time.
How to wash:
- Turn inside out and wash at cold temperature (20°C)
- Machine wash on a gentle cycle with low spin mode (400 RPM)
- Place in a mesh laundry bag for best results
- No soaking. No dryer.
- Treat stains before washing and avoid detergents that combine stain removal and washing
- Use gentle detergents — mild fragrance, non-fragrance, or baby-safe
Denim
Denim is a hardwearing fabric but over-washing is its biggest enemy. Washing too frequently fades the colour and breaks down the fibres faster than necessary. Denim is also prone to colour run — the dye used in denim, particularly darker washes, is not fully colourfast and can bleed onto other fabrics in the wash. Always wash denim separately from light-coloured garments to prevent dye transfer that can be difficult or impossible to reverse.
How to wash:
- Avoid washing denim too often — it can be worn several times before it needs a wash
- Wash separately from light-coloured fabrics — denim dye can bleed and stain other garments
- Turn inside out and wash at cold temperature (20°C)
- Machine wash on a gentle cycle with low spin mode (400 RPM)
- No soaking. No dryer.
- Treat stains before washing and avoid detergents that combine stain removal and washing
- Use gentle detergents — mild fragrance, non-fragrance, or baby-safe
Shop our denim collection
Cotton, Linen, Tencel & Eyelet
These natural and semi-natural fabrics are breathable and versatile, but they respond best to gentle washing — particularly hand washing, which helps them retain their shape over time. Cotton eyelet is especially prone to shrinkage — because cotton fibres are natural and absorbent, exposure to heat causes them to contract. Once shrunk, cotton is very difficult to restore to its original size, which is why cold water and air drying are non-negotiable for these pieces.
How to wash:
- Turn inside out and wash at cold temperature (20°C)
- Hand washing is most preferred for keeping these fabrics in shape
- Avoid hot water and the dryer at all costs for cotton eyelet — heat causes the fibres to contract and shrink permanently
- If machine washing: place in a mesh laundry bag and use a gentle cycle with low spin mode (400 RPM)
- No soaking. No dryer.
- Treat stains before washing and avoid detergents that combine stain removal and washing
- Use gentle detergents — mild fragrance, non-fragrance, or baby-safe
Delicate Fabrics — Sequins, Embroidery, Crochet, Lace & Silk
Delicate fabrics require the most careful handling of all. The embellishments, weaves, and fibres involved are easily damaged by rough handling, wringing, or machine washing without precautions.
How to wash:
- Always turn inside out and ensure all zips and hooks are fastened before washing
- Wash at cold temperature (20°C)
- Hand washing is highly preferred — do not wring, twist, or scrub as this can stretch the fabric and cause hard creases
- If machine washing, use a gentle cycle — but be aware this carries risk. Refer to our full Garment Care guide for best practice
- No soaking. No dryer.
- Treat stains before washing and avoid detergents that combine stain removal and washing
- Use gentle detergents — mild fragrance, non-fragrance, or baby-safe
A Note on Detergents
The detergent you choose matters more than most people realise. Harsh detergents — particularly those with built-in stain removers — can break down fabric fibres over time, dull colours, and damage delicate surfaces.
For all TTT pieces, we recommend:
- Mild fragrance detergents — gentle on fibres and skin
- Non-fragrance detergents — ideal for sensitive skin or delicate fabrics
Avoid anything marketed as "2-in-1" stain removal and washing combined.
Conclusion: A Little Care Goes a Long Way
The clothes you love most deserve to be looked after. Following the right care routine for each fabric type doesn't just preserve the garment — it means you get to wear it more, love it longer, and truly get your money's worth from every piece.
For our complete care instructions, visit The Thread Theory Garment Care page.