How to Care for Hand-Painted Clothes

A hand-painted piece is closer to a painting than a printed tee. The artwork sits on the fabric, applied stroke by stroke, and it rewards a little care. Treat it well and it will stay vivid for years.

Quick answer: Hand wash hand-painted clothes inside out in cold water with a mild liquid detergent, don't wring or tumble dry, dry them in the shade, and iron on low heat from the reverse, never directly on the paint. Wash as rarely as you can.

Here's how we recommend looking after your Weave of Culture pieces.

1. Wait before the first wash

Give a new piece a few wears before its first wash. There's no need to wash something that isn't dirty. Less washing is the single best thing you can do for any hand-painted garment.

2. Hand wash in cold water

Our care rule is simple: cold hand wash. Hot water and harsh machine cycles are what wear painted artwork down over time.

• Turn the garment inside out so the artwork doesn't rub against anything.
• Use cold water and a small amount of mild liquid detergent.
• Wash gently. Don't scrub or brush the painted area.
• Don't soak it for long, and wash it separately from other clothes.
• Never use bleach.

3. Don't wring it out

Twisting a wet garment stretches the fabric under the paint. Press the water out gently instead, or roll the piece in a dry towel and press.

4. Dry flat or on a hanger, in the shade

Don't tumble dry. Dry your piece inside out, away from direct sunlight. Strong sun fades colour over time, on painted artwork and on the fabric around it.

5. Iron on low heat, from the reverse

Iron on low heat, and never directly on the painted area. Turn the garment inside out, or place a thin cotton cloth between the iron and the artwork.

6. Store it folded or hung, with room to breathe

Store your pieces somewhere cool and dry. Try not to fold directly through the middle of the artwork, and avoid cramming them into a tight drawer where the painted surface can crease or rub.

What about dry cleaning?

If you'd rather not wash a piece yourself, tell your dry cleaner that the garment is hand-painted and ask them to take care with the artwork. When in doubt, cold hand washing at home is the gentlest option.

Why small variations are part of the piece

Every Weave of Culture piece is painted, printed or embroidered by hand after you order it, so slight differences in line and colour from one piece to the next are expected. They're the mark of the hand that made it, not a flaw.

Not sure about something? Email us at hello@weaveofculture.com and we'll help.

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