First look at the care label to decide whether you can wash something yourself. Structured pieces with a lining, such as jackets and blazers, are often better suited to professional cleaning. Cotton shirts, most knitwear and fabrics with elastane can often be washed at home without problems, as long as you follow the temperature and programme on the label.
Always start with the label
The care label shows how the fabric and finish cope with water, heat and movement. The most important symbols to know:
- Wash tub with a number: may go in the machine at a maximum of that temperature.
- Wash tub with a hand: hand wash only.
- Crossed-out wash tub: do not wash with water.
- Circle: professional cleaning, in other words the dry cleaner. A letter in the circle shows which agent the cleaner may use.
- Crossed-out circle: do not dry clean.
If there is only a circle, but it may also be washed, you have a choice. If there is a crossed-out wash tub, the dry cleaner is the safe route. You will find more explanation on our care instructions page.
Why some pieces have to go to the dry cleaner
A dry cleaner uses professional cleaning methods that are tailored to the garment. That is especially important for clothing with structure. A jacket often has several layers: the outer fabric, interlining, shoulder pads and lining. The different layers can react differently in water, which changes the shape. Fabrics that lose their shine or shape in water are also in better hands at a dry cleaner.
Per garment: yourself or the dry cleaner?
| Garment | Usually | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton shirt | Wash yourself | Iron on the cotton setting, hang up straight away |
| Fine knitwear in viscose or lyocell | Yourself, delicate or hand wash | Cold to lukewarm, dry flat |
| Wool and cashmere | Yourself on the wool programme or hand wash, if the label allows it | Never in the dryer, do not wring |
| Blouse with satin look in acetate | Follow the label strictly | Sensitive to heat and friction |
| Jacket or blazer with lining | Dry cleaner | Air and brush in between |
| Tweed | Follow the label, often dry cleaner for jackets | Do not iron the texture flat |
What you can easily do yourself
You can usually wash a cotton shirt yourself if the label allows it. The Hamilton shirt with Italian collar in white is 100% cotton, and cotton copes well with water and ironing. Wash at the temperature on the label, hang the shirt on a hanger straight after spinning and iron it slightly damp. You can read more about the properties of cotton on our page about cotton.
You can also wash most knitwear yourself. Choose a delicate or wool programme, a mild detergent and let the knit dry flat. That also applies to wool and cashmere, as long as the label indicates hand wash or a wool programme. A piece such as the Augusta open-knit polo in wool and cashmere in cream does not need to be washed often anyway: wool stays fresh for longer naturally, and airing is often enough. Read more on our page about cashmere.
What you had better have cleaned
Structured pieces such as a cropped tweed jacket are delicate. The Lavinia cropped tweed jacket in glacier blue has a clear shape and texture that you want to keep. Follow the label carefully, and if in doubt choose professional cleaning. The same goes for a wool cardigan with a business cut, such as the Maximilian wool cardigan in beige: check the label for what is allowed, and be cautious with water if the shape matters.
Blouses with a satin look in acetate also need attention. The Rosamund lavallière blouse in white is made of acetate with a little elastane. Acetate is sensitive to high temperatures, friction and some solvents. Read the label carefully, iron on a low setting with a cloth in between and avoid the dryer.
Wash less, stay beautiful for longer
A lot of clothing stays beautiful for longer if you only wash when necessary. Every wash, at home or at the dry cleaner, wears the fibres down a little. A few habits help:
- Airing: after wearing, hang knitwear and jackets on a wide hanger overnight by an open window.
- Brushing: a clothes brush removes dust and hairs from wool and tweed.
- Treat stains straight away: dab a stain with cold water, so you do not have to wash the whole piece.
- Steaming: a steamer freshens up and removes creases without a wash.
Tips for the dry cleaner
When you take something in, point out stains and say what they are, for example red wine or oil. Take clothes out of the plastic cover as soon as you get home after cleaning, so the fabric can breathe. And always take pieces that belong together, such as a jacket and matching skirt or trousers, in together, so they are treated equally and the colour stays the same.
What takes less effort in the long term?
Check the care label when you buy if upkeep matters to you. For each new garment, ask yourself how often you will wear it and how you will clean it. A shirt you wear weekly, you simply want to be able to put in the machine. A jacket you wear a few times a month may well go to the dry cleaner now and then, especially if you air and brush it well in between. For knitwear: choose yarns that tolerate hand wash or a wool programme, then you can care for them at home without risk.
If you are unsure about a specific piece, first look at the label and then at our care instructions page. If you are really unsure, choose professional cleaning or ask for advice before you wash it yourself.
Shop the look
Rosamund: lavallière blouse, white
Maximilian: wool cardigan with business cut, beige
Lavinia: cropped tweed jacket, glacier blue
Hamilton: shirt with Italian collar, white
Augusta: open-knit polo in wool and cashmere, cream
Frequently asked questions
Can I still wash clothing with the dry-cleaning symbol myself?
Only if the label also shows a wash tub. If there is a crossed-out wash tub, choose the dry cleaner to prevent shrinking or distortion.
How often should a jacket go to the dry cleaner?
Not often. Air and brush it regularly and only take it in for stains or when it no longer smells fresh.
Can wool go in the washing machine?
If the label allows a wool programme or hand wash, yes. Wash cold to lukewarm, with a wool detergent and a low spin speed, and let it dry flat.
