Natural fibres are extraordinary materials, breathable, comfortable against the skin and made to last. When crafted well and cared for properly, quality garments in wool, hemp, linen and other natural fibres can reward you with years of beautiful wear.

Good to know: Always check the care label on your garment first. Where label instructions differ from the guidance below, follow the label.

General tips for all natural fibres

A few principles that apply across the board:

• Wash less frequently — natural fibres are naturally odour-resistant and don’t need washing after every wear
• Use a gentle or wool-specific detergent
• Avoid harsh detergents, bleach or fabric softener
• Wash inside out to protect the outer surface
• Never wring or twist wet garments
• Dry away from direct heat and sunlight
• Store folded, not hung — hanging can cause natural fibres to stretch over time

Merino wool

Merino is one of nature’s most refined fibres — incredibly soft, temperature-regulating and naturally odour-resistant, which means it needs washing far less often than most fabrics.

• Washing: Hand wash or machine wash on a gentle cycle using a wool detergent, at a cool temperature. Do not bleach.
• Drying: Gently squeeze out excess water, never wring. Reshape the garment and dry flat away from direct heat and sunlight. Do not tumble dry.
• Ironing: Merino has natural elasticity and wrinkles drop out easily, especially in a moist environment. Little or no ironing is usually needed. If required, use a low setting.
• Storage: Store folded in a drawer or on a shelf. Keep in a breathable cotton bag if storing long-term. Use cedar or lavender to deter moths. Mothballs can damage fibres.

Possum merino

Possum merino blends New Zealand merino with brushtail possum fibre, creating a fabric that is exceptionally soft, lightweight and warm. It’s more resistant to pilling and won’t wrinkle, and the higher the possum content, the more pill-resistant it is.

• Washing: Hand wash in cold water using a gentle wool detergent, baby shampoo works well if you don’t have one. Once washed, you can use the spin cycle of your washing machine to gently remove excess water. Do not put through a full machine wash cycle.
• Drying: After spinning, reshape the garment and air dry naturally. Do not tumble dry.
• Ironing: Cool iron only, if needed.
• Storage: Fold and store in a cool, dry place. Use cedar balls or lavender sachets to protect against moths during long-term storage.

Silk

Silk is a delicate, lustrous natural fibre that requires gentle handling. With the right care it maintains its sheen and softness beautifully over time.

• Washing: Hand wash separately in cool water with a mild detergent. Do not bleach. Avoid vigorous washing as silk can be damaged by harsh detergents or rough handling.
• Drying: Do not wring. Lay flat to dry, away from direct sunlight. Do not tumble dry.
• Ironing: Iron on a low silk setting on the reverse side of the fabric.
• Storage: Store away from direct light. Silk can yellow over time if stored in plastic, use a breathable cotton bag instead.

Bamboo Viscose

Bamboo fabric is soft, breathable and naturally moisture-wicking. It’s one of the easier natural fibres to care for.

• Washing: Machine wash or hand wash in cold or lukewarm water. Do not bleach.
• Drying: Line dry. Do not tumble dry.
• Ironing: Bamboo tends to smooth out well when laid flat or hung while still slightly damp. Iron on a low to medium setting if needed.
• Storage: Store folded. Bamboo is not prone to pilling or moth damage, making it one of the lower-maintenance natural fibres to store.

Linen

Linen is a strong, breathable fabric that softens beautifully with wear and washing. It’s more relaxed in nature and a little natural wrinkling is part of its character.

• Washing: Machine wash on a warm, delicate cycle. Wash with like colours, inside out. Use a mild detergent. Do not bleach. Do not tumble dry.
• Drying: Line dry. Remove while slightly damp for easier ironing.
• Ironing: Iron while slightly damp for best results. Linen irons easily and smooths well with a medium to high heat setting.
• Storage: Store folded in a cool, dry place. Linen breathes well and needs no special storage conditions.

Hemp

Hemp is one of the most durable natural fibres available, and it gets softer with every wash. It shares many care characteristics with linen.

• Washing: Machine wash on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent. Always follow the care label on your specific garment.
• Drying: Air dry or line dry. Hemp dries relatively quickly and holds its shape well.
• Ironing: Iron on a medium to high setting while slightly damp. Hemp responds well to ironing and smooths easily.
• Storage: Store folded in a cool, dry place. No special requirements.

Cotton

Cotton is easy to care for. The main thing to watch is heat as high temperatures can cause shrinkage, particularly in the first few washes.

• Washing: Gentle cold machine wash with like colours using a mild detergent. Do not bleach. Do not rub, soak or wring.
• Drying: Line dry away from direct sunlight. Do not tumble dry.
• Ironing: Warm iron on the reverse side.
• Storage: Store folded. Cotton needs no special storage.

Viscose

Viscose is a lightweight, drapey fabric made from natural plant cellulose. It’s comfortable to wear but requires a little more care than cotton or linen.

• Washing: Delicate cool wash. Viscose is prone to shrinkage so handle gently.
• Drying: Do not wring. After washing, hang on a hanger and gently pull the garment back into shape while wet. Dry away from direct heat and sunlight.
• Ironing: Cool iron on the reverse side of the garment.
• Storage: Store folded. Make sure garments are fully dry before putting them away — viscose can be susceptible to mildew if stored damp.

Sheepskin

Sheepskin boots and slippers need different care from clothing. The goal is to keep the outer leather supple and the inner wool clean without saturating the hide.

• Everyday care: Brush off dirt and dust with a soft brush when dry. Treat with a sheepskin or suede protector spray before first wear and reapply regularly, especially in wet weather.
• Cleaning: Spot clean the outer surface with a damp cloth and a small amount of sheepskin cleaner or mild soap. Do not submerge in water or machine wash as this can damage the hide and cause shrinkage.
  
  For the inner wool lining, sprinkle with baking soda, leave for a few hours to absorb odours, then shake or brush out.
• Drying: If your sheepskin gets wet, stuff loosely with newspaper to hold the shape and allow to dry naturally at room temperature. Keep away from direct heat sources such as radiators, fires and direct sunlight as they can dry out and crack the hide.
• Storage: Store in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Stuff with tissue paper to maintain the shape during long-term storage.

Not sure what your product is made from?

Check the care label inside your garment, or visit the product page on our website where the fabric composition is listed in the product details.

If you’re still not sure, our Customer Care team is happy to help.

Related information: Contact Us, Returns & Exchanges, Delivery & Shipping