Care Guide

Well-made clothes last longer when they are cared for well. The care label inside each garment is specific to its fabric and construction and should always be followed. The principles below apply to almost everything in a considered wardrobe.

Wash Less, Air More

Most garments receive far more washing than they need. Airing overnight, brushing and spot-cleaning will often do the work of a wash without the wear. When you do wash, use a cool cycle, a gentle detergent and a full but not overloaded drum, and turn garments inside out to protect the surface.

Drying

Avoid tumble drying unless the label permits it; heat and agitation are what shorten a garment's life. Dry knitwear flat, reshaped by hand, so that it keeps its proportions. Hang shirts and trousers straight from the wash and much of the ironing will take care of itself.

Pressing and Steaming

Steam where you can; it relaxes fibres without flattening them. If you iron, follow the dot rating on the label, work on the reverse where possible and use a pressing cloth on darker fabrics to avoid shine.

Storage

Fold knitwear rather than hanging it, which stretches the shoulders. Hang tailoring and outerwear on broad, shaped hangers that support the shoulder line, with room to breathe between garments. Store everything clean: moths are drawn to residue rather than fabric, and cedar or lavender in the wardrobe is a useful deterrent. For anything put away for the season, choose a cool, dry, dark place.

Accessories

Keep accessories away from direct sunlight and damp, and wipe them with a soft, dry cloth rather than washing them. Store them flat or in their own space so that buckles, hardware and edges do not rub against other pieces.

Understanding Care Symbols

• Washtub — washing. The number is the maximum water temperature; a hand in the tub means hand wash only; a bar beneath means a gentler cycle.
• Triangle — bleaching. A crossed-out triangle means do not bleach.
• Square — drying. A circle inside means tumble drying is permitted, with dots for heat; lines inside indicate natural drying (a horizontal line for flat, a vertical line for hanging).
• Iron — ironing. One dot for cool, two for warm, three for hot; crossed out means do not iron.
• Circle — professional cleaning. A letter inside indicates the solvent for the cleaner; crossed out means do not dry clean.

Repairs

A loose button or an opened seam is not the end of a garment. A local tailor or alterations service can resolve most small problems in an afternoon, and we would always rather you repaired a piece than replaced it. If an item develops a fault that is not the result of wear, please contact us at support@alderon-uk.com — your statutory rights apply, and we will put it right.