Clothing Care Tips: Things I’ve Learned Along the Way

Whether it’s saving a favorite jumper from pilling, tackling that mystery stain, or extending the life of your cashmere, here are some practical tips I’ve picked up along the way.

💧 Cleaning Tough Stains

For stubborn stains, nothing beats an old-fashioned stain-removing soap bar and a bit of elbow grease. While visiting a specialty soap shop in Marseille last year, I learned a great tip: cold water works best with this type of soap to lift stains.

It might take a few tries, but I’ve found this method more effective—and gentler—than chemical-laden alternatives. If you don’t have access to those artisan soaps, a bar of Marseille soap works beautifully. L’Occitane makes a fantastic one that lasts forever.

A few of my favorite soaps:

• La Savonnerie Marseillaise
• L’Alchimiste
• L’Occitane

🌬 Refresh Without Washing

Skip the washing machine when you can—especially for clothes that don't need a full clean. A steamer is your best friend here. It saves time, space (no ironing board needed), and reduces dry cleaning costs.

Steam smooths wrinkles and kills bacteria, making garments feel fresh between wears. Just target areas like underarms or collars with a little extra steam.

Recommended steamers:

• Steamery
• Calor (Handheld)
• Calor (Standalone)

🧶 How to Wash Cashmere

Contrary to popular belief, cashmere loves water—as long as it's treated gently. I recommend washing it every 4–5 wears.

• Use a low-temperature cycle (20°C) on your wool setting.
• Spin at max 600 RPM—higher speeds can damage fibers.
• If machine washing isn’t an option, hand wash and then roll the jumper in a towel to absorb moisture before laying flat to dry.

Cashmere will naturally pill (bobble)—especially early on. It’s totally normal and doesn’t mean your knit is poor quality. I swear by good-quality fabric shavers to keep jumpers looking fresh and new.

My go-to bobble shavers:

• Steamery
• Philips

🧺 Paraphernalia I Recommend

Sometimes, it’s the small tools that make all the difference:

• Mesh laundry bags: Perfect for delicate tees or fine-knit tops (especially my favorite tissue-weight T-shirts).
  • Brand: Brabantia
• Dryer wool balls: Help reduce drying time and wear on fabrics.
  • Brand: L’Alchimiste
• Soft fabric brush: A gentle but effective way to help lift stains, especially on delicate fabrics.
  • Brand: L’Alchimiste

If you have any questions—or even better, tips of your own—leave a comment! I always love learning new ways to extend the life of my wardrobe. Let’s keep our clothes looking and feeling their best, together.

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