Caring for designer pieces: wool, silk and leather

A well-made piece lasts for years if it is looked after. The first rule is always the care label: some pieces are dry-clean only, and the label comes before any advice here. These habits come from the care guides of fashion houses and specialists.

Wool and cashmere

• Wash less. Wool does not need washing after every wear: air it, or give it a gentle steam.
• Let it rest. A day between wears lets the fibres recover their shape.
• Fold, don't hang. On a hanger, a knit's own weight pulls it out of shape.
• Dry it flat. Reshape it on a dry towel, away from radiators and direct sun. Never hang wet knitwear.

Silk

• Hand-wash in cold water, no warmer than 30°C, with a gentle detergent, or dry clean if the label says so.
• Never wring or rub it: press the water out between towels.
• Dry it away from direct sun and radiators, which fade and yellow the fibre, and never in a tumble dryer.

Leather bags

• Store it in its dust bag, or a cotton one: breathable, never plastic, which traps damp.
• Fill it with acid-free tissue to hold its shape, not newspaper, whose ink can rub off.
• Keep it cool and dry, out of direct sun and away from heat, which dries and cracks leather.
• Empty it before you put it away, and look at it every few months.

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