fabric guide and care
to make things easier we have decided to write down the most important care instructions for (almost) all the fabrics we have in store. if you're ever stuck and unsure about how to treat your new favorite piece - worry no more and read our care instructions :)
(organic) cotton
what is organic cotton?
cotton is a true fabric classic. it can be worn as a t-shirt, socks, jeans and much more. cotton grows soft and fluffy around the seeds of cotton plants. it does not contain any synthetic compounds and is a very old fabric that has already been used many years ago.
why love organic cotton?
cotton is super versatile - from a simple t-shirt to knit pants this fabric can do it all! a true classic than can easily be dyed and taken care of.
organic cotton production
1kg of organic cotton needs 8500l of water vs. conventional cotton needing 11500l. the conventional cotton industry is not a very pretty business. make sure to buy as organic as possible - organic cotton uses less water, pesticides, fertilizers, defoliants and growth regulators and is not grown in a monoculture.
caring for organic cotton
can be washed by hand or with a washing machine (no warmer than 30 degrees if you want to make sure it does not shrink). you should not dry your cotton piece in a tumble dryer as it can shrink. you can remove stains with stain removers and iron as you please. important: never iron velvet! to iron velvet pieces, turn inside out.
tencel®
what is tencel®?
tencel® is a soft fabric that feels softer than silk and smoother than cotton. it is made by the company Lenzing and often called lyocell or modal. it is produced in environmentally friendly processes from wood.
why love tencel®?
moisture is absorbed very well and transported to the surface - which is why the fabric dries super fast. is is also super soft so you'll forget you're wearing anything!
tencel® production
the production process is very sustainable - it is a closed loop for the used solvent and water. tencel is made by dissolving wood pulp and using a special drying process. before drying, the wood chips are mixed with a solvent to produce a wet mixture which is then pushed through tiny holes. the little spaghettis that come out are like threads, chemically treated and then spun into yarn and woven into cloth.
caring for tencel®
this fabric is quite easy to take care of - just make sure you wash it gently. not warmer than 30 degrees is just right. important: the fabric can shrink up to 5% in the first wash. please turn down the spin cycle on your machine. the fabric can leave streaks when it rubs against itself too much. you can either use a wash bag or wash it by hand. the best thing about it - you can hang to dry and you won't have any wrinkles!
linen
what is linen?
linen is made from the fibers of a flax plant and is one of the oldest fabrics in the world. linen fabric was already used thousands of years ago - some evidence suggests over 30 000 years ago.
why love linen?
linen is very durable and tear-resistant. it absorbs moisture well and dries fast. it has a cooling effect - making it the perfect summer fabric. paired with some warmer layers you can wear it all year round thanks to its temperature regulating properties.
linen production
the crazy thing - all linen needs is the natural precipitation to grow flax. most linen is grown in europe - even in poor soil during dry seasons. hardly anything goes to waste too!
caring for linen
a lot of times it is enough to just hang your linen pieces outside to air them out. if you do want to wash your linen pieces you can wash them in the washing machine (you can wash linen up to 60 degrees without any issues). important: linen soaks up water - don't fill your washing machine too much. also, the fibers contract during washing and then "fall apart" and loosen up again once you wear them. do not tumble dry but hang to dry. can wrinkle easily so iron with high heat for a clean look.
wool
what is wool?
wool is a fibre from the fleece of an animal - sheep, goats, alpacas. there are even the first prototypes of dog wool on the market!
why love wool?
nothing is warmer on cold days than wool! also it is natural, biodegradable, renewable, breathable and durable.
wool production
it is hard to find clear statistics on this topic. what is clear: wool uses less water than cotton in production. however, it also depends in what environment the animals are kept and how much water this uses. also wool has to be washed - depending on the dirt this takes a lot of water. here it really depends on where the wool comes from and how these animals were kept. since we work with small partners, we can assure our wool does not come from mass productions.
caring for wool
wool is actually a lot easier to take care of than you might think. usually it is enough to just hang it outside. wool will hardly ever smell. if you have stains on your wool items try hand washing them. you can use a natural shampoo - remember not to use hot water! wool can shrink easily. many washing machines offer a wool programme - be careful with these as many are too hot or too rough. the most important care instruction: lay flat to dry (on a towel on your hanger) so that the wool piece does not lose shape or stretch.
ecovero™
what is ecovero™?
this fabric is another sustainable viscose (soft plant fiber fabric, chemically made) option! it is soft and flowy - but a bit more like cotton than tencel. it can be used for thicker blouses and even hats! this fabric is also made by Lenzing (yay!).
why love ecovero™?
apart from being environmentally friendly (it is even biodegradable!) this fabric is a dream to wear. it is flowy, soft and breathable.
ecovero™ production
the wood used to create to yarn is grown and processed sustainably and only comes from responsible, certified sources. it is certified with the EU ecolabel which guarantees high environmental standards throughout the lifecycle: from growing the raw material to production, distribution and disposal. compared to regular viscose, the manufacturing of ecovero™ generates up to 50% lower emissions, energy use and water impact.
caring for ecovero™
this fabric is quite easy to take care of - just make sure you wash it gently. not warmer than 30 degrees is just right. the fabric can leave streaks when it rubs against itself too much. you can either use a wash bag or wash it by hand. the best thing about it - you can hang to dry and you won't have any wrinkles!
recycled polyester
what is recycled polyester?
most often recycled polyester is made out of industrial waste or post-consumer plastics like PET bottles. turning PET bottles into clothing means grinding, melting and extruding new fibers.
why love recycled polyester?
taking what is already there and giving it new life is super cool already - but recycled polyester is also super versatile! from waterproof bags to silky smooth fabrics you can do so many things.
recycled polyester production
producing recycled polyester uses up to 90% less water than regular polyester. still you have to be careful and only choose certified recycled fabrics. we think there are pros and cons with this fabric. the main pro arguments: keeping plastic away from landfills and the ocean and a waterproof and stretchy fabric - just like polyester, but uses less energy to make. still, recycling has its boundaries and recycling uses a lot of energy too. also, recycled polyester can still release micro plastics.
caring for recycled polyester
wash up to 30 degrees (this is always the most sustainable choice when using a washing machine) and use a fabric bag to keep your items from breaking because of zippers. to avoid microplastics from floating to the oceans, use a guppyfriend washing bag.
cupro
what is cupro?
cupro is made of regenerated cellulose fibers from recycled cotton linter. this is the part of the cotton seed that is too small to spin - so you're using what would otherwise go to waste!
why love cupro?
apart from being environmentally friendly (it is even biodegradable!) this fabric is a dream to wear. it is flowy, soft and breathable. it also regulates temperatures (like cotton) but drapes like silk. it is buttery soft!
cupro production
the material is processed and manufactured in a sustainable cycle system. this means, that the water that is used will be reused over and over again. this reduces the environmental impact greatly.
caring for cupro
you can wash cupro garments by hand in cold or lukewarm water (careful: cupro shrinks in hot water!). be sure to use a gentle soap and do not rub or wring the item. the fabric will harden slightly after washing. this is normal! you can make your item flowy soft again with ironing on low heat (inside out or the items will turn shiny) or with a steamer. lay the item flat or hang to dry. do not tumble dry!
if you're missing anything, have questions or comments, personal experiences or feedbacks, don't hesitate to reach out!
thank you for the inspiration ROTHOLZ, JAN N JUNE and JUNGLE FOLK!