One of the questions I get most often from my customers is about care. How do I wash this? Can I put it in the dryer? What happens if I get something on it? And I love these questions — because they mean someone is planning to keep their piece for a long time. That intention alone makes me happy.
Natural fibers like raw silk, linen, cotton, and wool are different from synthetic fabrics in almost every way — including how you care for them. They're living materials, in a sense. They respond to how you treat them. Treat them with care and they reward you with years, even decades, of beauty. Rush them through a hot cycle and tumble dry and — well, you won't love the result.
Here is everything I've learned about caring for natural fiber clothing, from someone who has been living in it for years.
Raw Silk & Silk Noil
Washing
Hand washing in cool water is always my first choice for silk. Use a gentle, pH-neutral soap (unscented) I have been loving the Koala Eco brand lately. Fill your sink with cool water, add a small amount of soap, submerge your piece, and gently swish it around. No scrubbing, no wringing. Just gentle movement.
If you prefer machine washing, use a delicates or hand wash cycle in a mesh laundry bag with cold water. I do this with many of my own pieces and they hold up beautifully.
Drying
Never put silk in a hot dryer. Lay it flat on a clean towel, reshape it gently, and let it air dry away from direct sunlight. Once it is mostly dry (damp), let it tumble dry low. If you are in a pinch, it's totally fine to tumble dry low for the whole drying process.
Ironing
Raw silk wrinkles are part of its character and I genuinely think they're beautiful — but if you want to smooth things out, use a cool iron on the wrong side of the fabric while it's still slightly damp. A garment steamer also works wonderfully.
Linen & Cotton
Linen and cotton are more forgiving than silk and can generally handle a gentle machine wash in cool water. What to avoid: hot water (it shrinks natural fibers), harsh detergents with bleach or brighteners, and high heat in the dryer. Air drying is always best, or tumble dry on low.
One thing I love about linen especially — it gets softer and more beautiful with every wash. If your linen piece feels a little stiff when new, just keep wearing it and washing it. It will soften into something wonderful.
General Natural Fiber Rules
- Cool water, always. Heat is the enemy of natural fibers — it shrinks, warps, and weakens them.
- Gentle detergent. Harsh chemicals break down natural fibers over time. Look for pH-neutral, fragrance-free options.
- Air dry when you can. Sunlight and heat from dryers fade color and weaken fabric over time.
- Store folded, not hanging. Heavy natural fiber pieces can stretch on hangers. Fold and store flat where possible.
- Treat stains quickly. A little cool water and gentle soap applied immediately will handle most stains. Never rub — blot gently.
- Rest your pieces. Let garments breathe between wears. Natural fibers release odors and moisture naturally — often a day or two hanging in fresh air is all they need.
"A garment worth buying is a garment worth caring for. The few extra minutes you spend are paid back in years of beautiful wear."
A Note on Pilling
Some natural fibers, especially raw silk and wool, can pill slightly with wear — especially in areas of friction like underarms and where a bag sits. This is completely normal and doesn't indicate poor quality. A small fabric shaver used gently will restore your piece to its original look in minutes. I keep one in my laundry room and use it regularly on my own wardrobe.
Natural fiber clothing that is cared for properly doesn't just last — it becomes more itself over time. More worn in. More loved. More beautiful. That's the whole point of building a slow wardrobe, and I hope these tips help you get there.
With love,
Charlotte