Cleaning clothes – valuable care tips
Garment care can be so much more than just washing and ironing.
Treating your clothing with mindfulness not only extends its lifespan but also saves resources while simultaneously protecting your skin and the environment. Whether made of cotton, viscose, or wool: high-quality materials love gentle care. With a little knowledge and the right care tips, your wardrobe will become a collection of long-lasting favorites. Because caring for clothing means appreciating it – from washing to storing.
How to keep your favorites looking good for longer
The more carefully you clean your clothes, the longer your favorite pieces will last in your everyday life. This means: washing less, airing more, targeted cleaning, and careful storage. Treating your clothing this way not only protects the fibers and colors but also gives each piece a long, beautiful life.
Follow care instructions
Before doing the laundry: It is always worth taking a look at the label. There you will find important information on the ideal washing temperature, the type of drying, or the ironing setting.
These small symbols help with proper care and reliably protect your clothing from nasty surprises.
Laundry and Care Tips at a Glance
Cleaning Made Easy
Gentle drying & proper ironing
How to keep your clothes looking good for a long time
Treat stains immediately
A stain can happen quickly – it's not so bad if you react immediately when cleaning clothes. Simply dab carefully, do not rub, and soak with a stain remover before washing. Many stains can be removed immediately with lukewarm water, a soft cloth, or natural household remedies.
Ventilate
Not everything that has been worn needs to go straight into the washing machine. Often, fresh air is completely sufficient to freshen up clothes. Simply hang them overnight on the balcony or by an open window; this saves water, protects fibers, and is a gentle form of garment care.
Washing
Only wash clothes when it is really necessary. Choose low temperatures and a gentle cycle, especially for delicate materials such as viscose or wool. This will keep the clothes well-maintained and wearable, while also saving energy and water. A laundry net often provides additional protection against wear and tear.
Use eco-friendly detergents
Natural detergents are the gentle choice for anyone who wants to care for their clothes – free of microplastics, without aggressive surfactants, and good for the skin. They protect not only your favorite garments but also our environment. Also, avoid fabric softeners: they harm fibers and water – especially delicate fabrics like wool will thank you for it.
This preserves the shape and fibers
Drying
The dryer is a great help in everyday life, especially when you're in a hurry. With the delicate cycle and low temperature, clothes can be dried without damaging them. Wool dryer balls shorten drying time and soften your laundry without additives.
Allow to air dry
Ideally, however, you should air-dry your clothes – completely without heat and energy consumption. This keeps fibers supple, colors vibrant, and shapes intact. Delicate items should be dried flat to prevent stretching. And importantly, to care for your clothes: dry them in the shade rather than in direct sunlight; this protects the colors from fading.
Ironing
Not every fabric loves heat. Make sure you use the correct temperature setting, turn clothes inside out, and use a damp cloth as a heat shield. Ironing with steam is particularly gentle – ideal for smoothing fibers without putting too much strain on the material.
Removing stains
When it comes to stains, you don't necessarily need harsh chemicals: natural household remedies like gall soap, baking powder, or a splash of vinegar can work wonders, gently cleaning clothes while being better for the environment. Always test on an inconspicuous area first if possible and proceed with care. For garments made of delicate materials, it is better to have them professionally dry-cleaned.
Remove stains & protect clothes
Steaming
A steamer is a wonderful way to quickly freshen up clothes, space-savingly without an ironing board. It removes wrinkles, eliminates odors, and is gentle on delicate materials. Especially for viscose or wool, it's a clever alternative to ironing.
Repair
A small hole or a loose button are no reason to say goodbye yet. Often, all it takes is a needle and thread – or a quick visit to the tailor – and the item is as good as new again.
Store
Whether it's a summer break or a change of season, store your clothes clean, dry, and airy. If possible, use cloth bags or boxes made of natural materials and lavender sachets or cedar wood as natural moth protection.
Tips for sustainable garment care
Every choice in favor of conscious garment care is a small contribution to environmental protection. Today, cleaning clothes means more than ever: conserving resources, focusing on quality, repairing instead of discarding, and cherishing every piece. Airing instead of washing, mild eco-friendly detergents, low temperatures: those who take care of their clothes protect fibers, save energy, and protect the environment. It is better to air-dry delicate pieces instead of using the dryer, as this preserves shape and color. And if something does break? No problem! A button is quickly sewn on, a tear easily mended. Storage also counts: kept clean, dry, and airy, your clothes will stay beautiful for a long time. Sustainability does not begin with buying new items, but with treating what you already own with care.
Material care
Cotton
• Washing: 30–40 °C and a mild detergent are recommended to maintain shape and color. Cotton bed linen, pajamas, socks, and underwear should be washed at 60 °C.
• Drying: Air drying is ideal, but cotton can also be tumble dried; however, cotton garments may shrink slightly.
• Ironing: No problem. It works particularly well on damp fabric or with steam.
• Tip: Turn garments
inside out to protect colors and prints.
Viscose
• Washing: Use a liquid mild detergent on a delicate cycle at a max. temperature of 30 °C. Use a laundry bag and avoid strong spin cycles, as viscose can crease or lose its shape.
• Drying: To avoid shrinking and stretching, please do not tumble dry. Smooth out after washing and let dry lying flat or hanging.
• Ironing: At a low temperature (similar to silk). Ideally, while the garment is still slightly damp or using a pressing cloth in between. It is best to turn the garment inside out.
• Tip: Viscose can feel stiff when wet. Do not worry, it will become soft again after drying.
Wool
• Washing: Only wash when necessary; thorough airing is often sufficient. If you do wash it, use the wool cycle with a special wool detergent or hand wash at a maximum of 30 °C.
• Drying: Always dry flat on a towel; never hang or tumble dry, otherwise the material will lose its shape.
• Ironing: If possible, iron wool inside out at a low temperature using a damp pressing cloth and without applying pressure. Alternatively, it can be treated very gently with a steamer.
• Tip: Wool likes to be kept dry. Lavender or cedarwood in your wardrobe also provides protection against moths.