The key points

• In addition to hand washing, less aggressive washing machine programmes at low temperatures and spin rates are often also suitable for gentle washing.

• Avoid harsh chemicals and fabric softeners so as not to damage delicate materials such as wool or silk.

• The care label tells you at what temperature you should wash your laundry and whether it should be washed by hand or in the machine.

Wash delicate textiles in 5 easy steps

Washing delicate clothing is not rocket science – as long as you know what materials your laundry is made from and how their properties affect the cleaning process. We explain step by step how to do everything correctly, from sorting to drying to storing.

Step 1: separate clothes by colour and material

Before washing, you should sort your clothes carefully – not only into whites, colours and darks, but also by material. Silk, wool or fine fabrics all require very special, gentle treatment, while robust textiles such as cotton, linen or polyester can withstand more intensive cleaning. Separating them correctly not only helps to prevent discolouration but also protects the delicate fibres from friction.

Step 2: select a detergent without chemical additives

For fine fabrics such as silk, satin or cashmere, you should choose a mild liquid detergent for wools and delicates without optical brighteners or bleach to wash the delicate materials as gently as possible. These special care products are particularly recommended for wool, as they preserve the natural lanolin film on the fibres, prevent pilling and lint, and keep the fabric soft – without fabric softener, which does more harm to delicate clothing in the long run and at the same time pollutes the environment.

Step 3: choose the right washing machine programme

In addition to the right detergent, your washing machine setting is also important – if machine washing is allowed. If it is, select the gentle wash programme for your appliance at a low temperature of no more than 40°C and a reduced speed. Gentle spin cycles mean around 600 to 800 revolutions per minute. This prevents the fibres from being unnecessarily stretched or damaged. However, it’s better to wash very delicate items by hand at a maximum of 30°C.

Step 4: dry your laundry gently

Heat is the enemy of delicate clothing, so you should avoid ironing and tumble drying and hang or lay your laundry out in the fresh air instead – a shady spot under a tree is perfect. Direct sunlight or radiator air, by contrast, can cause the colours of your laundry to fade and dry out the material.

Step 5: store delicate clothing correctly

To keep your clothes beautiful for as long as possible, you should not only wash and dry them gently but also store them carefully. Either hang delicate materials on padded hangers or fold them loosely and place them in the cupboard without stacking them – this is the best way to preserve their shape and texture.

In conclusion

Whether it’s silk, wool or delicate textiles: washing your clothes gently will extend their life and ensure that they look like new even after many washes. Make sure you select low temperatures and spin rates, use mild detergents without chemicals and wash fine fabrics by hand. High-quality natural fibres like those used by CALIDA are naturally durable and easy to care for. With a little love, they will remain soft, retain their shape and simply look beautiful for years to come.