Tips for garment care

Check the label

If you don't like hand washing or dry-cleaning, save time and money by checking care labels when buying new clothes. Look for machine-washable garments. Items that can be successfully washed by hand or machine should say this on the care label.

Tip
Most new front-loading (and some top-loading) washing machines have a "hand-washable woollens" cycle, gentle enough for hand-wash-only garments. See our test of washing machines for models with this feature.

Many cotton, linen and woollen knit garments don't need to be dry-cleaned (as long as they don't have special finishes or detailing such as pleats). If the care label says "dry-clean only" and it's a relatively cheap item that you'll only wear for one season, you may want to take the chance and hand wash it. This would be at your risk.

Remember: if you decide wash to rather than dry-clean, the manufacturer won't be responsible if the garment is damaged.

Wash, dry, and press like a pro

• Use the right detergent for the job. Liquid detergents are less likely to deposit white residue on dark clothes.
  
  
• Turn denim (and anything else you don't want to fade) inside out before washing to help preserve colour.
  
  
• Line-drying is best but if you use a clothes dryer don't over-dry - it can damage fabric.
  
  
• Dry woollens and other stretchable garments flat to keep their shape.
  
  
• Always set your iron to the right heat setting for the fabric. Start by ironing synthetics then cottons.
  
  
• Prevent the "shine" that irons can leave by placing a light cotton tea towel between the iron and fabric or iron garments inside out.
  
  
• Iron heavy natural fibres like linen while slightly damp. It's easier to get out the wrinkles. Take washing off the line just before it's dry or use a spray bottle.

Little fuzzies

Rubbing from normal wear can cause fibres to unravel and loose ends ball up or "pill" on the surface of garments.

Washing with heavy fabrics (like denim) can often remove pilling from machine-washable garments. For hand-wash-only garments, remove by carefully skimming a razor, de-piller (similar to an electric razor) or pumice stone across the fabric while holding it taut.

Tip

Clothes made from tightly-woven natural fibre fabrics (like fine merino wool) are less likely to pill than those made from acrylic and other synthetic fibres.