Every fabric has a safest cleaning method — and getting it wrong can shrink, stretch, mark or ruin a garment for good. Use the search and filters below to find any fabric fast, then bring anything tricky to us and we'll take it from there.
Every fabric has a safest cleaning method, and the care label is your most important guide — it sets the safe method, temperature and drying approach, which can vary even between garments of the same fabric. Getting it wrong can shrink, stretch or mark an item for good, so anything delicate or unlabelled is safest left to a specialist.
Start with the care label
Before any of the methods below, the care label is the single most important guide to how a garment should be cleaned. It tells us the safe cleaning method, the correct temperature and the right drying approach for that specific item — details that vary even between garments made of the same fabric.
For that reason, where a garment has no care label, we can only accept it at the customer's own risk. Without the manufacturer's guidance we'll always apply our expertise and choose the safest method we can, but we can't guarantee the result the way we can when a label is present. If your item has lost its label, just let us know and we'll talk you through the options before we begin.
| Fabric | Best method | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| CottonNatural | Machine washDry clean | Hardy and washable. Most cotton handles a normal machine wash well; structured or tailored cotton (shirts with fused collars, jackets) is better dry cleaned to keep its shape and finish. |
| LinenNatural | Machine washDry cleanWet clean | Washes well but creases heavily and can shrink or lose its crisp finish. For tailored linen, or to keep that pressed look, professional cleaning and finishing is the safer choice. |
| WoolNatural | Dry cleanWet cleanHand wash | Generally dry clean to avoid shrinkage and felting. Professional wet cleaning suits many wools beautifully; if hand washing, use cool water and never wring or tumble dry. |
| Merino woolNatural | Hand washDry cleanWet clean | Finer and more delicate than standard wool. Cool hand wash with a wool detergent, dry flat — or have it professionally cleaned to be safe. |
| CashmereNatural | Hand washDry cleanWet clean | Luxurious and delicate. A gentle cool hand wash with cashmere shampoo, dried flat, keeps it soft — but professional cleaning is the safest route for valuable pieces. Never tumble dry. |
| SilkNatural | Dry cleanHand washWet clean | Delicate and prone to water marks and dye bleed. Many silks are best dry cleaned; some can be carefully hand washed cold, but test first. Avoid heat and wringing. |
| Linen-cotton blendNatural | Machine washDry clean | Usually washable, but check the care label — the more structured the garment, the more it benefits from professional finishing. |
| HempNatural | Machine washHand wash | Durable and washable. Cool machine or hand wash; air dry to avoid shrinkage. Softens with use. |
| Bamboo (viscose)Natural | Hand washDry clean | Soft but weak when wet. Gentle cool hand wash or dry clean; avoid hot water and tumble drying which cause shrinkage. |
| Viscose / RayonDelicate | Dry cleanHand wash | Notoriously tricky — weak when wet, prone to shrinking, stretching and water marks. Dry cleaning is the safest option; if washing, cool hand wash only and dry flat. |
| ModalDelicate | Hand washMachine wash | More stable than viscose. Cool gentle wash usually fine, but check the label and avoid high heat. |
| AcetateDelicate | Dry cleanNo water | Often dry clean only — water and many household stain removers can damage or distort it. Treat as a professional-only fabric. |
| TriacetateDelicate | Dry cleanHand wash | More water-tolerant than acetate but still best dry cleaned for structured pieces. |
| ChiffonDelicate | Dry cleanHand wash | Sheer and fragile (silk or synthetic). Dry clean for silk chiffon; synthetic chiffon can be hand washed very gently. |
| GeorgetteDelicate | Dry cleanHand wash | Similar to chiffon — delicate and easily distorted. Dry clean to be safe, especially silk versions. |
| OrganzaDelicate | Dry clean | Stiff, sheer and delicate. Best dry cleaned to preserve its crisp structure. |
| TaffetaDelicate | Dry clean | Water spots easily and loses its crispness when wet. Dry clean only as a rule. |
| VelvetDelicate | Dry cleanSpecialist | Crushes and water-marks easily; the pile needs care. Dry clean — and for crushed velvet or delicate trims, treat as specialist. |
| LaceDelicate | Dry cleanHand wash | Fragile and easily snagged. Delicate hand wash for sturdy lace; dry clean for fine or embellished lace. |
| TulleDelicate | Dry cleanSpot clean | Net fabric, common in bridal and eveningwear. Spot clean where possible; dry clean for full cleaning. |
| PolyesterSynthetic | Machine washDry clean | Easy-care and washable. Cool to warm machine wash; structured or pleated polyester garments benefit from professional finishing. |
| NylonSynthetic | Machine washHand wash | Washable and quick-drying. Cool wash, avoid high heat which can melt or yellow fibres. |
| AcrylicSynthetic | Machine washHand wash | Washable wool substitute. Cool gentle wash, dry flat to avoid stretching; can pill with rough handling. |
| Spandex / ElastaneSynthetic | Machine washHand wash | Found in stretch fabrics. Cool wash, no fabric softener, air dry — heat destroys the elasticity. |
| Polyester satinSynthetic | Hand washDry clean | Gentle cool hand wash or dry clean; avoid heat and snagging the smooth surface. |
| FleeceSynthetic | Machine wash | Easy washable. Cool to warm wash, low or no heat dry; avoid fabric softener which clogs the pile. |
| Suit (wool/blend)Tailored | Dry cleanSpecialist | Always dry clean — and clean both pieces of a suit together so they age evenly. Water washing ruins the internal canvas and shape. |
| Blazer / Structured jacketTailored | Dry cleanSpecialist | Internal structure and fusing mean these must be dry cleaned, never machine washed. |
| Pleated garmentsTailored | Dry clean | Dry clean to preserve the pleats — washing typically relaxes and loses them. |
| Sequined / BeadedTailored | SpecialistSpot clean | Embellishments can melt, dissolve or detach. Specialist cleaning only; spot clean gently if you must. |
| Down / Feather duvetHousehold | SpecialistMachine wash | Specialist cleaning is safest — down must be fully dried or it clumps and sours. Some can be washed in a large commercial machine, not a domestic one. |
| Curtains (lined)Household | Dry cleanSpecialist | Dry clean to avoid shrinkage and lining distortion; sun-weakened fabric needs careful handling. |
| Wool rugHousehold | Specialist | Specialist cleaning — wool rugs are easily over-wetted and damaged by DIY methods. |
| Mattress / UpholsteryHousehold | SpecialistSpot clean | Professional deep cleaning; spot clean spills immediately with minimal water and blot, never rub. |
| LeatherLeather | SpecialistNo water | Never machine wash. Professional cleaning and reconditioning keeps leather supple and prevents cracking. |
| Suede / NubuckLeather | SpecialistNo water | Water-sensitive and easily marked. Specialist cleaning only — the surface must be re-napped and protected. |
| SheepskinLeather | SpecialistNo water | Specialist cleaning to protect both the skin side and the wool. Never machine wash. |
| Faux leather / PULeather | Spot cleanHand wash | Wipe or spot clean with a damp cloth; avoid soaking, which can crack or peel the coating. |
| Trainers / SneakersLeather | SpecialistSpot clean | Hand or professional cleaning matched to the material; avoid the washing machine, which breaks down glue and shape. |
| Wedding dressTailored | Specialist | Specialist cleaning chosen to the fabric and embellishments — never attempt at home. Prompt cleaning prevents stains setting permanently. |
| Tie / Bow tieDelicate | Dry cleanSpot clean | Dry clean only — the inner construction distorts if washed. Spot treat small marks gently. |
| Down jacketSynthetic | Machine washSpecialist | Many can be cool washed and tumble dried low with dryer balls to re-loft — but check the label; some are specialist. |
A label is the start, not the last word
The care label tells you the manufacturer's safe minimum. An experienced cleaner reads the garment itself — the fibre, the construction, the dyes, the stains — and can often achieve a better, safer result than the label's cautious default. That judgement is the part you can't get from a chart.
Two methods you'll see a lot above are worth understanding properly: the difference between wet cleaning and dry cleaning, and what the symbols on your care label are actually telling you.
Not sure about a particular item?
Bring it to the counter on Shaw's Road. We'll inspect it, recommend the right method, and treat it with the care it deserves — Altrincham's 4.9★ garment specialists.
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