Timeless pieces with quality in mind should build the foundation of a solid base wardrobe. They're the pieces that never go out of style and keep your closet neat and organised. If treated well, staples made from superior materials will last longer, be better for the planet, people and animals, and easily complemented with new season pieces. 

The washing process, soaking, tumbling, and mixing with other fabrics is tough on your clothes and may wear your fabrics out. A priority should be to wash your clothes less and treat stains immediately.

Always hand-wash if possible, especially your delicate fabrics. We always recommend hand washing in cool water and distributing the detergent evenly over the garment. Soak and rinse with cool water.

All washes should be on a cold cycle for a number of reasons to reduce energy consumption, avoid the break-down of dyes, and garment shrinkage. Rather than washing on a hot cycle for anti-bacterial benefits, our family remedy is to add half a cup of White Vinegar and one teaspoon of tea-tree oil. 

To avoid delicate garments from ripping in the washing machine if they come into contact with buttons or zippers, buy a couple of ‘delicates’ bags to preserve their lifespan. Our hot tip is to buy a mesh delicates bag.

Using a large amount of detergent can be harmful to the environment and your clothes. Try to use half of the prescribed amount of detergent and add half a cup of baking soda to give your detergent a boost.

Sometimes in cooler weather it may be more difficult to dry your clothes, however a general rule should be to naturally dry your clothes to avoid over-heating and shrinking garments. Heat is known for breaking down elasticity which may cause unwanted stretching. Leave your washed clothes out in the sun to breathe, and rather than wringing your clothing, gently press out the water. 

Whilst we want to reduce our water consumption, cramming the washing machine with your entire wardrobe isn’t good either. Not only do the clothes not wash properly, but they also rub against each other causing damage/fading. 

Many people don’t set their irons at the right temperature for specific garment fabrics and in turn either shrink or burn through their favourite clothes. A handy tip is to set the iron slightly below what is recommended. Steaming is the safest way to go for the best finish, or alternatively, use the iron on its steam setting.

Wooden or padded hangers are preferred to help keep the shape of your clothes, as plastic and wire hangers can stretch out the shoulders of garments leaving you with saggy, droopy clothes. Button the buttons and zip the zippers to avoid them catching on other clothes. Be mindful of clips which can leave marks on fabrics.

Avoid unwanted stretch by folding your knitwear. Store your sweaters with lavender, bay leaves or scraps of cedar wood to prevent unwanted moth holes.