Caring for Silk, Cashmere, Wool and Handcrafted Textiles

Silk

Silk is sensitive to heat, prolonged sunlight, and harsh detergents. For most silk pieces, we recommend professional dry cleaning, particularly for heavily dyed or patterned items. If hand washing is indicated on the individual care label, use cold water and a very mild, pH-neutral detergent, agitate gently, rinse thoroughly, and lay flat on a clean towel to dry. Do not wring, tumble dry, or hang silk to dry under direct sunlight.

Avoid contact with perfumes, deodorants, and cosmetics before putting on silk, as these can cause permanent staining or affect the dye. Store silk pieces folded in a cool, dry place away from direct light.

Cashmere

Cashmere is best maintained by infrequent washing and careful storage. Where the care label permits hand washing, use cold water and a gentle cashmere or wool-specific detergent. Submerge the piece, gently press — do not rub — and rinse well. Lay flat on a clean towel to dry; do not hang cashmere, as the weight of wet fibre will distort the shape.

Pilling is normal in areas of friction and can be removed with a cashmere comb or a soft fabric shaver. Store cashmere folded, not hung, in a clean cotton bag or drawer. Professional dry cleaning is recommended for heavily embellished, embroidered, or reversible pieces.

Wool

Wool tolerates gentle hand washing in cool water with a mild detergent, unless the care label specifies otherwise. Handle wet wool gently — pulling or wringing will stretch and distort the fibres. Lay flat to dry, reshaping the piece while damp. Many woven or structured wool pieces benefit from professional cleaning, particularly where the construction is complex.

Velvet

Velvet has a cut pile that can be crushed or marked by prolonged pressure, heat, or contact with water. Professional dry cleaning is strongly recommended for velvet pieces. Avoid folding or compressing velvet jackets and textiles during storage; hang or roll where possible. If the pile is flattened, light steaming from a distance — without direct contact — may help restore it.

Ikat and Suzani Embroidery

Ikat and Suzani pieces combine multiple elements — woven ground, resist-dyed yarn, and in many cases embroidery in silk or cotton thread. This complexity means care requirements vary considerably by individual piece. For most embroidered pieces, professional dry cleaning is the safest approach.

Where hand washing is suitable, use cold water and handle with particular care around embroidered areas. Avoid soaking, vigorous agitation, or wringing. Dry flat away from direct sunlight to protect both the ground fabric and the embroidery threads.