Different fabrics need different care — what's perfectly safe for cotton can ruin silk, and what keeps wool in shape will do nothing for leather. Here's a practical, fabric-by-fabric breakdown to help your wardrobe last longer and look its best.
Silk
Silk is delicate and prone to water stains and colour bleeding, so it should almost always be dry cleaned rather than hand or machine washed. Store silk sarees and garments folded in breathable cotton cloth, away from direct sunlight and plastic covers, which can trap moisture and damage the fibres over time.
Wool
Wool holds its shape best with dry cleaning or gentle hand washing in cool water — never hot water, which causes shrinking and felting. Store wool garments folded rather than hung, and keep a moth repellent nearby during humid months to protect the fibres.
Cotton & Linen
Cotton and linen are generally machine-washable and among the most forgiving fabrics. That said, dry cleaning keeps structured cotton formal wear — shirts, trousers, blazers — crisper for longer and helps prevent the shrinkage and colour fade that comes with repeated home washing.
Denim
Denim doesn't need frequent washing — every 4–5 wears is usually plenty. Turn jeans inside out and wash in cold water to preserve the indigo colour, or dry clean dark and raw denim to prevent fading entirely.
Leather
Leather should never go anywhere near a washing machine. Keep it away from direct heat and sunlight, condition it every few months to prevent cracking, and always have stains or scuffs treated by a professional — household cleaners can dry out or discolour the hide permanently.
Quick Reference: Wash or Dry Clean?
- Machine wash: everyday cotton, linen, denim
- Dry clean: silk, wool, structured suits, embellished wear
- Never machine wash: leather, suede, heavily beaded garments