Garment Care

Our clothes are made in small batches by small producers, often using traditional methods of dyeing and printing. That is a big part of what makes each piece special, but it also means they need a little more care than mass-produced clothing. Look after them well and they will stay with you for years.

Most of our clothes don't have care labels sewn in. Where a garment needs particular care, we say so on its product page, so it's worth checking there before you wash it. If a garment is marked "hand-wash only", please always follow that.

The first wash: by hand, cold, with white vinegar

Because our fabrics are dyed by small producers rather than in large factories, colours can run, especially in the first few washes. This is normal and doesn't mean anything is wrong with your garment. For the first wash of anything new, we always recommend:

  • Wash it by hand, on its own, in cold water.
  • Start by soaking it for up to 30 minutes in cold water with white vinegar added: about 2 tablespoons (30 ml) for every litre of water (roughly half a cup per US gallon). The vinegar helps set the dye, so less colour runs out in later washes.
  • Then wash it gently with a small amount of mild detergent.
  • Gently squeeze the water through the fabric. Don't rub, scrub or wring it.
  • Rinse in cold water until the water runs clear, or nearly clear.
  • Roll the garment in a towel to press out the water, then dry it as described below.

If the water turns colourful, don't worry. That is loose dye washing out, and it usually settles down after a few washes.

Every wash after that

  • Always wash cold, and never above 30°C. Warm water opens up the fibres and lets dye escape, and it can shrink natural fabrics.
  • Turn clothes inside out to protect colours, prints and embroidery.
  • Keep dark and bright colours away from lighter ones, at least for the first few washes. A colour catcher sheet in the machine is a good extra safeguard.
  • Don't leave wet clothes bundled together or sitting in the machine, as colour can transfer wherever damp fabrics touch.
  • Use a gentle cycle and a mild detergent, without bleach or optical brighteners.
  • Wash less often. Airing a garment between wears is often all it needs.

Drying and ironing

  • Please don't tumble dry our clothes. The heat shrinks natural fibres, damages stretch fabrics and fades colours.
  • Dry in the shade rather than in strong sunlight, which fades naturally dyed colours.
  • Dry knitwear and heavier pieces flat on a towel, so they keep their shape.
  • Iron on the reverse side, on a low to medium setting, while the fabric is still slightly damp. A steamer is gentler still. Chiffon, satin, polysilk, viscose and sari fabrics need extra care. See 'Care by fabric' below.

Care by fabric

Cotton, organic cotton, linen and hemp

Most of our clothes are cotton. After the first hand wash, most cotton clothing can go in the machine on a cold, gentle cycle, turned inside out. Cotton shrinks in warm water, so keep it cold. Linen and hemp crease easily and are easiest to iron while still damp.

Stretch cotton (cotton with Lycra)

Leggings and stretch tops can go in the machine on a cold, gentle cycle, inside out. Leave out fabric softener and keep them away from heat, as both break down the stretch fibres over time.

Velveteen and corduroy

Our velvet-look jackets, coats, trousers, armwarmers and hats are made from cotton velveteen. Hand wash them in cold water, inside out, with a gentle swishing movement. Don't wring or rub, as this crushes the soft pile. Dry flat. Never iron the pile side: steam it instead, or iron gently from the inside on a low setting with a towel underneath. Hang coats and jackets on a wide hanger. Corduroy is cared for in the same way.

Sari fabrics, viscose, chiffon, polysilk and satin

Recycled and upcycled sari fabrics, polysilk, satin, chiffon and viscose are the most delicate fabrics we sell. Always hand wash them in cold water, as viscose can shrink in warm water, and never wring them. Gently press out the water, then dry flat. Never iron chiffon, polysilk or sari fabrics. Viscose and satin can be ironed on a low setting, but never directly: put a piece of thin cotton, such as a thin towel, between the fabric and the iron, so the iron never touches the fabric. All of these fabrics can be steamed instead, either with a garment steamer or by hanging them on a coat hanger in the bathroom over a hot, steaming bath.

Wool, mohair, yak wool and acrylic knits

Hand wash cardigans, jumpers, shawls and legwarmers in cold water with a wool detergent. Squeeze gently and never wring. Don't hang knitwear up while it's wet, as the weight of the water stretches it. Roll it in a towel to remove the water and dry it flat.

Fleece and polyester

Machine wash on a cold, normal cycle, inside out. Synthetic fabrics shed tiny fibres in the wash, and a microfibre-catching wash bag helps keep them out of our rivers and seas. Please don't tumble dry.

Lace, embroidery, crochet and sequins

Turn the garment inside out and hand wash in cold water, without rubbing. Sequins and beads can bend or come loose if they are moved around too much. Dry flat.

Faux fur

Hand wash gently in cold water, press out the water in a towel and dry flat. Once dry, brush the fur gently with your fingers or a soft brush.

Belts and bags

Canvas, faux leather and brass studs and poppers shouldn't be washed in water. Wipe them with a damp cloth and a drop of mild soap, then dry them with a clean cloth. Keeping the brass fittings dry helps stop them tarnishing.

Storing your clothes

  • Fold knitwear rather than hanging it, so it doesn't stretch.
  • Hang coats and jackets on wide, padded hangers.
  • Store clothes clean and dry, somewhere cool and away from direct sunlight.
  • Breathable cotton bags or covers are better than plastic, which traps moisture.
  • Cedar or lavender in the wardrobe helps keep moths away from wool.

Not sure?

If you're not sure how to wash something, just ask. Email us at info@altshop.co.uk, use our contact form or message us on WhatsApp, and we'll be happy to help.