GARMENT CARE: A Retailer's Guide

Garment Care: A Retailer's Guide

We want to ensure your stock looks its absolute best from the moment you unpack your delivery to the moment it leaves your shop with a happy customer. While every individual piece has specific washing and ironing instructions on its care label and product page, we have put together this quick guide to help you manage, display, and advise your customers on caring for our garments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I get the wrinkles out of garments after unpacking a delivery?

A: When unpacking a new delivery, you might notice some natural creasing from transit. The quickest, safest, and most effective way to remove wrinkles from knitwear is by using a hand-held steamer. If you do not have a dedicated steamer in your shop, you can easily use a standard steam iron. Simply hold the iron vertically (without touching the fabric) and shoot some steam directly through the garment to relax the fibers and drop the creases.

Q: What should I do if a garment (especially a poncho) becomes a little misshapen on the shoulders?

A: It is very common for knitwear—particularly heavier pieces like ponchos—to develop small shoulder bumps or become slightly misshapen after sitting on a hanger for a while. Fortunately, this is very easy to rectify! Just use a hand-held steamer or shoot steam from a vertical iron through the affected area. The steam will instantly relax the woollen fibres, allowing the garment to bounce back and reshape beautifully.

Q: What hangers do you use and recommend for displaying knitwear?

A: To minimize stretching and shoulder bumps, we highly recommend using padded hangers or hangers with wide, rounded, contoured ends specifically designed for knitwear. Avoid wire or thin plastic hangers, as these will easily distort the fabric. For your heaviest knits, folding them beautifully on a display table or shelf is always the best way to maintain their shape.

Q: How do I wash cashmere and alpaca blend garments? Can I machine wash them?

A: Yes, all of our cashmere blend and alpaca blend knitwear can be machine-washed. We recommend washing them on a gentle wool cycle, and it is crucial to always use a non-biological detergent to protect the natural fibres. As with all fine knits, they should never be tumble-dried. Advise your customers to gently press the excess water out (never wring) and lay the garment flat on a towel to dry so it keeps its shape.

Q: What if my customer finds their alpaca knit a little itchy?

A: Everyone’s skin is different, and some people are naturally more sensitive to wool and other animal fibres. Although alpaca is a lovely soft natural fibre, a small number of customers may find it feels slightly prickly when worn directly against the skin.

A gentle wash can help. Washing according to the garment’s care instructions allows the fibres to settle and can soften the feel of the knit. We recommend a gentle cool wool wash and avoiding fabric conditioner.

For customers who are particularly sensitive, suggest wearing a lightweight cotton, silk or viscose layer underneath. This creates a soft barrier against the skin while allowing them to enjoy the warmth and comfort of their alpaca knit.

Retailer tip: If a customer says, “I love it, but I think it might be a little itchy,” don't assume it won't work for them. Explain that natural fibres can feel different from person to person, and that a gentle wash or wearing a fine base layer can make the garment much more comfortable.

Q: How do I wash my linen garments? A: Much like our knitwear, our linen garments can be easily machine-washed. We recommend washing them on a gentle wool cycle and, similarly, always using a non-biological detergent to protect the natural linen fibers. To keep linen looking its absolute best, advise your customers to gently reshape the garment while it is still damp and allow it to air-dry naturally.