Caring for natural fibres (cotton, linen)
and man-made cellulosic fibres (viscose, Lyocell)
Natural fibres, like cotton, linen and viscose, including branded variations like EcoVero, are widely used for their comfort, breathability and feel. These fibres are made from plant and wood pulp. Natural fibres tend to absorb a lot of water and can crease easily, so it’s important to wash and dry them gently. Always check the care label for guidance and refer to our washing care guide. Follow our advice on how best to wash these fabrics to help make them last.
How to wash your items
1. To avoid colour transfer, separate dark/coloured garments from white or lighter colours in the wash.
2. Use a mild detergent and cool-wash at 30 degrees on a low-speed short spin. Half-filling the washing machine will allow your clothing to move freely during the wash and avoid heavy creasing.
3. Remove promptly from the washing machine, place on a hanger and reshape while damp.
4. Line-dry or air-dry. Do not tumble dry as it can result in shrinkage of up to 10% and will shorten the lifespan of your item.
5. Once your item is almost dry, reshape while damp and hang on a hanger or drying rack. If needed, use a hot iron on reverse or you can use steam to remove any heavy creases and define features such as the collar and cuffs. Linen & Lyocell fabrics are prone to shrinkage, so iron while slightly damp to restore shape.
6. Avoid using bleach on stains as this weakens the fibres and it may affect the colour of your item. Read our guide for How to remove stains from clothes.
How to unshrink viscose
Viscose fibres are derived from natural wood and pulp, and can be particularly sensitive to water and heat, so you might find that your viscose clothing shrinks slightly in the wash. If this happens, don’t panic. Here are a couple of methods you can use to unshrink it.
1. Use a steamer
Turn the piece of clothing inside out. Hold its hem and pull gently, then use a steamer or iron on the lowest setting and apply steam to the entire garment. The steam will relax the fibres, and the tension should smooth out any creases or puckering.
2. Use hair conditioner
Half fill a plastic container with warm water, enough to submerge the garment. Add 50ml of hair conditioner, allow conditioner to completely dissolve.
Add garment to the water, gently massage for 5-10 minutes, then let soak for 20 minutes.
Rinse in lukewarm water, wring out excess water.
Reshape and place on a hanger when almost dry, iron on reverse with 2 dots with no steam.
Each garment may vary, especially with blends, so always check the care label first. If in doubt, opt for a gentler approach to keep your pieces looking their best for longer.