Care Guide

Good pieces don't need complicated care — just regular, gentle care. A few minutes a week keeps clothing, footwear, and accessories looking their best for years. Always follow the care label first: it applies to that specific item and takes precedence over anything on this page.

Everyday habits

  • Rest between wears. A day off lets fibers recover and shoes dry out. Alternate pieces rather than wearing the same one daily.
  • Air, don't wash. Most knitwear, tailoring, and outerwear only needs airing after wear. Wash when it's actually dirty, not by habit.
  • Treat stains immediately. Blot — never rub — with a clean, dry cloth, then clean according to the fabric below.
  • Keep heat away. Hot water, hot dryers, and radiators shrink, fade, and stiffen natural fibers and leather.

Clothing by fabric

Check the label or the product page to see which fabrics your item is made of.

Linen

  • Machine wash cold or lukewarm on a gentle cycle, or hand wash, with mild detergent.
  • Reshape while damp and hang or lay flat to dry. Avoid the dryer, which causes shrinkage and stubborn creasing.
  • Iron on the linen setting while the fabric is still slightly damp, or use steam. A little natural creasing is part of linen's character.

Cotton

  • Machine wash cold to warm, inside out, with similar colors.
  • Tumble dry low or hang to dry; remove promptly to minimize wrinkles.
  • Iron on a medium setting. Heavier cottons such as twill and corduroy benefit from steam.

Wool, merino, and cashmere

  • Hand wash in cool water with a wool-specific detergent, or use the wool cycle if the label allows. Never use hot water or a normal spin.
  • Press the water out gently — don't wring — roll in a towel, then reshape and lay flat to dry away from heat and sun.
  • Fold rather than hang: hangers stretch knitwear at the shoulders.
  • Remove pilling with a fabric comb. Store clean, with cedar blocks, in a breathable bag over the summer.

Silk

  • Hand wash in cool water with a silk-specific detergent, or dry clean if the label says so.
  • Do not soak, wring, or tumble dry. Roll in a towel and hang to dry away from direct sun.
  • Iron inside out on the lowest setting while slightly damp.

Blends and technical fabrics

  • Follow the care label for the most delicate fiber in the blend.
  • Wash cold, skip fabric softener, and dry on low or hang to dry.

Footwear

Check the product page or the label inside the shoe to identify the materials, and test any product on a hidden spot first.

Smooth leather

  • Brush off dust after wearing. Wipe with a slightly damp cloth and a little mild soap when needed — never soak.
  • Let dry at room temperature, then apply a thin layer of colorless leather conditioner and buff with a soft cloth.
  • Use cedar shoe trees to hold the shape and absorb moisture.

Suede and nubuck

  • Clean dry only: lift the nap with a suede brush and rub marks gently with a suede eraser.
  • No water and no creams — both leave marks.
  • Spray with a suede protector before the first wear and repeat every few weeks.

Canvas and textile

  • Brush off loose dirt, then spot clean with lukewarm water, mild detergent, and a soft brush. Blot, don't scrub, and don't soak.
  • Wipe with a damp cloth and air dry at room temperature. Never machine wash sneakers; heat and agitation loosen the glue and distort the shape.

Soles and laces

  • Clean rubber soles with a damp cloth or medium brush; a magic eraser removes scuffs from sidewalls.
  • Wash laces by hand in warm, soapy water and lay flat to dry. Fresh laces make the whole shoe look new.

Weather and storage

  • Protect all footwear with a suitable waterproofing spray before the first wear. It won't make shoes waterproof, but it helps water and dirt bead off.
  • Caught in the rain? Loosen the laces, stuff with paper, change the paper every few hours, and dry slowly at room temperature — never on a heater.
  • Store in a cool, dry place in the shoebox or a fabric bag, never sealed in plastic.

Accessories

Watches

  • Wipe the case and bracelet with a soft, dry cloth after wear. A slightly damp cloth is fine for steel; keep leather straps dry.
  • Don't swim, shower, or bathe with a watch unless its product page states a specific water-resistance rating, and never press the crown or buttons under water.
  • Keep away from magnets, strong impacts, and extreme heat. Store in a dry place, away from direct sun, when not worn.

Jewelry

  • Put jewelry on last and take it off first. Remove it before swimming, showering, exercising, and applying perfume or lotion.
  • Wipe with a soft, dry cloth after wear and store each piece separately in a pouch or lined box to prevent scratching and tangling.
  • Clean plated pieces with a dry cloth only; solid metal can be washed in lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap and dried thoroughly.

Bags and belts

  • Empty bags when not in use, stuff with paper to keep the shape, and store in the dust bag.
  • Care for the material as you would footwear in the same material: condition smooth leather, brush suede, spot clean textile.
  • Hang belts or roll them loosely; don't fold them.

Questions about caring for a specific piece? Email support@alderon-us.com.