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Tip:
Leather garments should be treated
with a special CFC-free leather-proofing
product before wearing for the first time
in order to protect them from water
damage.
Leather:
As genuine leather is an animal product, it
requires special care. All types of leather
have to be treated differently and you should
check the care label before cleaning. It is a
good idea to test cleaning and conditioning
agents on a hidden part of the garment first.
Never use solvents or nail-varnish remover
on leather.
Drying:
Hang damp leather garments on
a coat hanger to dry at room temperature
out of direct sunlight. To prevent the risk of
mould, never hang damp leather garments in
a cupboard.
Ironing:
Leather can be ironed inside out
with a cool iron (1 dot), using tissue paper or
a dry tea towel. Do not use steam.
Linen:
This natural fibre is made from the stem of
the flax plant. It is very strong and durable,
and does not easily stain or retain odours.
However, because it has very little give,
it creases easily. It is mostly made into
household items such as tablecloths, but it is
also popular for light summer clothing.
Washing:
White and bleached linen can
be washed at temperatures up to 60°C.
Coloured garments should be washed
no hotter than 40°C using a detergent
for coloureds which contains no optical
brighteners. To test the colour-fastness of the
fabric, place a corner of the item between
two pieces of white cotton or linen material,
and steam iron it at a high temperature. If the
colour shows on the white fabric, this means
that the colour will run.
As linen creases very easily, it should be
spun very briefly or not at all. Linen is also
very susceptible to mildew and should be
thoroughly dried before being put
away.
Fabric care
