01Why these fabrics need care
Silk, wool and cashmere are natural animal fibres. Heat and rubbing make wool and cashmere shrink and turn to felt, and once that happens it cannot be undone. Silk loses its shine, water-spots easily and is weakened by sweat and strong sun. Gentle handling is what keeps them soft and the right size.
02Read the label first
- Dry clean only: do not put it in water; it needs a dry cleaner
- Dry clean (without 'only'): a dry cleaner is safest, but careful hand washing may be possible
- Hand wash: cool water, a little detergent made for wool or silk, no soaking for long
- A crossed-out tub: never wash it in water at all
03If the label allows hand washing
- Use cool water and a detergent made for wool or delicates
- Press the water through gently; do not rub, twist or wring
- Rinse in water of the same temperature, because a sudden change can shrink wool
- Roll it in a towel to take out the water, then dry it flat, away from the sun
04What to leave to a dry cleaner
- Suits, blazers and tailored wool coats, which hold their shape from inner layers that water can distort
- Silk with a sheen, prints or linings, and anything marked dry clean only
- Cashmere with a stain you cannot lift with cool water
- Pieces with beading, embroidery or leather trims
05Storing them in Dubai
Cold offices and malls mean wool and cashmere get worn far into the year, then packed away for the summer. Clean them before storing, because moths are drawn to body oils and food marks. Fold knits rather than hanging them, so they do not stretch, and keep everything in breathable cotton bags in a cool, dry cupboard, not plastic in a hot room.
06Or hand it to us
Give it to our driver and we check every care label before anything is cleaned, and if something is not right, we clean it again for free. A suit is AED 55 to dry clean, a jacket or blazer AED 40 and a basic dress AED 40.