After a holiday it is smart not to leave your suitcase closed for too long, especially if it contains damp or stained clothing. Sort by what needs to be washed, aired, treated, repaired or stored. Then look at the care label of each garment; sand, salt and sunscreen do not call for the same approach with every material.
Why unpacking straight away pays off
Damp clothing can turn musty more quickly in a closed suitcase, and some stains are easier to treat when you spot them early. You do not necessarily have to wash everything on the day you get home; sorting and airing first is often enough.
Unpacking step by step
- Open the suitcase in a free spot. Put an old sheet or towel underneath if you have been to the beach. Sand gets everywhere.
- Shoes out first. Knock the sand out of the soles and let them air outside or by an open window.
- Shake everything out. Shake out each garment outside or over the bath. Sand in the washing machine is bad for the drum and for fine fabrics.
- Sort into five piles. See the chart below.
- Treat stains. Before anything goes in the wash, look at collars, underarms and the front in daylight.
- Wash by colour and fabric. Light pieces together, dark together, fine fabrics separately.
- Clean the suitcase. Vacuum the inside, wipe the outside and let it dry open before you store it.
Five piles
| Pile | What belongs in it | What you do with it |
|---|---|---|
| Wash | Worn tops, underwear, swimwear | Sort by colour and fabric, wash according to the label |
| Air | Trousers worn once, cardigan, shirt for the evening | A night on a hanger by an open window |
| Stains | Anything with sunscreen, wine, ice cream or sweat marks | Treat first, only then wash |
| Repair | Loose buttons, a loose hem, a small tear | Fix straight away or take to the tailor |
| Store | Clean pieces you will not wear again until next summer | Clean and dry in the wardrobe or a garment cover |
Specific care per fabric
Linen blend. The Clarissa jumpsuit has a linen blend and a tailored-fit silhouette. Follow the current label: delicate wash up to a maximum of 30 °C, line dry and iron at a maximum of 110 °C. Only use steam if the label and the material allow it.
Denim and cotton blends. Shake sand out of pockets and seams before washing. The Adelaide and Atticus each have their own care advice. Use that label instead of one general rule for jeans or cotton. Read more about cotton.
Blended yarn with silk. The Julian polo has a fine-knit structure and its own wash advice: delicate wash up to a maximum of 30 °C and 400 rpm, gently remove water and dry flat.
Synthetic blends. The white Marianne polo dress has its own delicate wash advice up to a maximum of 30 °C. Treat sunscreen or grease stains only with a product suitable for the fabric and, when in doubt, test on an inconspicuous spot first.
Swimwear and beach items
Swimwear often has its own care label. Rinse out residues of salt, chlorine and sunscreen according to that advice and avoid heat when the label says so. For beach towels too: shake out the sand and then follow the care label.
Shoes and bags
First remove dry sand and let wet shoes dry at room temperature. For leather and suede, only use care products intended for that specific material. For valuable shoes, professional care is safer than experimenting with household remedies.
Removing a musty smell
If your suitcase has been closed for too long, clothing can smell musty. First hang the pieces outside in the shade for a few hours or by an open window. Often the smell has then largely gone. If it lingers, wash according to the label and dry the clothing completely before putting it away. A suitcase that smells musty itself, leave open for a day in a dry, airy place.
What do you still wear in September?
Not everything has to go straight into the wardrobe. Many summer pieces still wear perfectly well in late summer, especially combined with a cardigan or darker trousers. Hang those pieces at the front. What truly belongs to summer, such as swimwear, thin sandals and very light dresses, store clean. That way you keep an overview and start autumn with a tidy wardrobe.
Storing for next year
- Only store clean. Invisible stains from sweat or sunscreen turn yellow in the wardrobe.
- Store dry. Choose a clean, dry storage spot and use a cover or box suitable for the garment.
- Knitted pieces folded. On a hanger they stretch at the shoulders.
- Make a list. Note what is worn out or what you missed on holiday. Then next spring you know exactly what you need.
For washing advice per material, you can visit our page with care instructions. If you want to add to your wardrobe for autumn, take a look at all collections for Women and all collections for Men.
Shop the look
Clarissa: linen jumpsuit, cream
Adelaide: high-waist contour-fit jeans, light blue
Atticus: striped cotton polo, blue
Julian: knitted polo with quarter zip, ivory cream
Marianne: polo dress, white
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to wash everything after the holiday?
No. Pieces you have only worn briefly, such as trousers or a shirt for the evening, are often fresh again after a night of airing. Only wash what has really been worn or is stained.
How do I get sand out of my clothing?
Shake everything out well outside or over the bath before it goes in the washing machine. Turn trousers and pockets inside out, as that is where most of the sand stays.
How do I best store summer clothing?
Clean and completely dry. Knitted pieces are often stored folded; for blouses and dresses, follow the construction and care advice of the garment.
What do I do with clothing that broke on holiday?
Repair it straight away or take it to a tailor. That way it is ready in spring and you do not forget it.
