- Always have the clothes aired and dried before washing
- Empty pockets, unfasten the buttons and lift the collar before washing.
- Do not overload the washing machine.
- Do not wash at a very hot temperature.
- Hand Wash
- For dark coloured garments, the colours may bleed after the first few washes, therefore the garment should be washed alone.
- Always use cold water and do not leave garments soaking for a long time.
- Allow soap or detergent to totally dissolve before adding the garment.
- Do not rub – gently squeeze.
- Rinse thoroughly.
Drying
- Lay flat heavy garments so they do not lose their shape.
- Do not expose your garments to direct sunlight or heavy winds, especially if they are coloured.
- If drying indoors, make sure the area is well ventilated.
- Knitwear should be wrapped with a towel, and laid on a flat surface, away from sun and heat.
- Some garments tend to lose their shape in the wash.
- Re-shape while damp and lay flat to dry.
Ironing
- Follow ironing instructions on the care label.
- Iron at a low temperature.
- Garments should be dry when ironing.
- For delicate garments, use a pressing cloth on reverse when ironing.
Fabric Care
Max wash tests each garment before individual garment care instructions are determined so always read the care instructions on the individual garments before washing.
Here are the general guidelines on specific fabrics:
Wool
Will shrink if washed at a hot temperature and it can lose shape if hung to dry.
Advantages Good thermal material and great absorbent power.
Disadvantages Fabric will pill with use – but stops after a period of time.
Silk
Most silk garments are best dry cleaned but please read the care labels as some silks are able to be handwashed as follows.
- Use mild soap to handwash and rinse well.
- Do not soak or bleach garment.
- Dry flat in shade
- Do not tumble dry
- Always use a cool iron with a pressing cloth on reverse if required.
- Max does offer some machine washable silk items and this will be stated on the garment.
Please note if ordering silk online as our items are delivered in plastic, static can build up. Please following our anti-static guide if you have a problem with static on your silk garments.
Cotton
Will shrink if washed in warm – hot water, but can be ironed at a hot temperature. If garment is coloured, it must be washed alone the first time.
Advantages Fresh and flexible material. High resistance to rubbing.
Disadvantages Fades easily and tends to crease.
Linen
Must always be hand washed, do not spin dry or tumble dry. Do not wash at a warm – hot water, but can be ironed at a hot temperature.
Advantages Fresh smooth material.
Disadvantages Creases easily and fades with washing.
Acetate, Rayon and Viscose
In order to increase the longevity of the garment, handwash in coldwater with mild soap, Garment must not be tumble-dried.
Advantages Silky smooth material that doesn't fade.
Disadvantages Flammable and prone to static electricity.
Viscose: Prone to shrinking when washed and hung out to dry but will go back to original shape and length once pressed on low heat.
Polyester, Nylon etc
Sensitive to heat. Must be washed in cool water and ironed with no steam at a low temperature.
Advantages Very resistant. Very few creases. Does not fade.
Disadvantages Highly flammable and prone to static electricity.
Tips for avoiding static cling
- Make sure your body is well moisturised before wearing garments that can be prone to static.
- Apply talcum powder to your body after moisturising.
- Use an antistatic sheet that is used in tumble dryers and rub this on the underside of the garment.
- Use an antistatic spray.
- Get a spritzer bottle and spray water lightly to the garment.
- Wear an anti-static slip under your garment.