A LITTLE CARE GOES A LONG WAY
Keep the softness.
Keep the detail.
A gentle routine for your cotton–rayon pieces, from the first wash to the next wear.
These are Lebazo’s care instructions for our soft, dyed and embroidered cotton–rayon outfits. Always check the sewn-in care label; if it differs, contact us before washing.
01 / WASH WITH CARE
Cool water. A gentle touch.
Hand wash separately in cold water, preferably below 30°C.
This is our conservative routine for the dyed fabric and embroidery. Washing separately keeps any loose colour away from other garments. Some colour release may occur during the first few washes; if it is heavy or persistent, stop and contact us.
Turn the garment inside out. Use a little mild liquid detergent.
Turning it inside out reduces direct rubbing on the embroidered face. A small amount of mild liquid detergent, diluted into the water first, is easier to rinse without working the fabric repeatedly. Follow the detergent’s hand-washing dosage.
Do not soak, bleach, scrub or wring.
Keep washing brief and gentle. These brand-specific precautions minimise colour transfer, harsh chemical exposure and stress on the embroidered surface. Rinse gently in fresh cold water until the detergent has gone.
Support it fully while it is wet.
Lift the whole garment with both hands rather than pulling at a sleeve or neckline. Rayon is particularly weak when wet, so supporting it helps limit strain and distortion. Canadian Conservation Institute: fibre properties ↗
02 / LET IT REST
Reshape. Dry flat. Stay in the shade.
Gently press out water without twisting. Lay the outfit on a clean, colourfast towel, ease it back into shape and dry flat in a shaded, ventilated place. Change the towel if it becomes saturated.
Flat support avoids concentrating the weight of a wet garment at its shoulders. Shade limits light exposure, which can fade textile dyes over time. CCI: physical forces and light ↗
Do not tumble dry.
For this fabric and embroidered finish, Lebazo recommends avoiding the heat and repeated movement of a dryer to reduce the risk of shrinkage, distortion and surface wear. Let the garment dry completely before storing it.
03 / A SOFT FINISH
Low heat, inside out.
Iron on a low-temperature setting with the garment turned inside out. Start at the lowest setting and test an inconspicuous area. Avoid direct heat on embroidery; work around it and use a clean pressing cloth where needed.
This is a cautious finishing approach to help protect the texture and raised threadwork. Avoid trying to flatten every natural variation: the gently textured finish is part of the fabric’s character.
04 / UNTIL NEXT TIME
Fold it softly.
Store folded in a cool, dry place. Avoid hanging for extended periods, which can place sustained weight on the shoulders. Keep folds loose and occasionally change their position.
Conservation guidance recommends supported storage for vulnerable garments. A dry storage environment also helps reduce mould risk; cellulosic fibres, including cotton and rayon, are vulnerable to mould. CCI: basic textile care ↗ · CCI: mould on textiles ↗
05 / THE THINKING BEHIND THE ROUTINE
Care, with context.
The exact washing temperature and routine above are Lebazo’s product guidance. The sources below explain relevant fibre, light and storage principles; they are conservation references, not wash testing or certification of these garments.
Canadian Conservation Institute — Caring for textiles and costumes Canadian Conservation Institute — Basic care: textiles Canadian Conservation Institute — Mould growth on textiles