Decode Your Fabric Care Symbols: An Easy Guide Excited about the new luxury clothing you just bought? You can enjoy those gorgeous cashmere sweaters or 100% wool clothing longer if you know the right way to care for them. The good news is that clothing manufacturers attach labels to their products that indicate precise care instructions to keep them in good shape. The only problem is that they use icons and symbols that not everyone understands. But don’t fret – we’re here for you. In this guide, we’ll help you decode fabric care symbols so you can confidently care for your garments. No more guesswork, accidental shrinkage, or fading — just clear, practical advice to help you protect your investment. Ready to learn? Let’s decode fabric care together, one symbol at a time.   Breaking Down the Most Common Care Symbols Below are fabric care symbols charts to guide you through washing, drying, ironing, bleaching, and dry cleaning your clothing. Washing Both the washtubs with degrees Celsius and those with dots indicate the recommended water temperature for machine washing. Lines under the washtub indicate a special wash cycle. For example, synthetic fabrics like polyester and other wrinkle-proofed materials must be washed in a permanent press cycle (warm water washes and slower spin) to reduce wrinkles. Machine Wash Machine-washable in a normal wash cycle Cold Wash in cold water Warm Wash in warm water; the more dots there are, the higher the temperature Hot Wash in hot water; the washtub with the dots icon can have as many as six dots Permanent Press Set on a permanent press wash cycle Gentle Cycle Set on a gentle wash or delicate cycle Do Not Wash Avoid washing altogether Hand Wash Hand wash only; applicable to delicate clothing made from linen or silk Do Not Wring Do not wring out excess water   Drying Similar to washing, dots indicate drying temperature settings. Lines underneath the tumble dry icon signal a special dry cycle. Tumble Dry Can be tumble-dried Do Not Dry Avoid tumble-drying Low Heat Dry in a cool setting Medium Heat Dry in a warm setting High Heat Dry in a hot setting Dry in Shade Dry under shade only Dry Flat Lay flat when drying Drip Dry Hang to drip dry Line Dry Dry on a line Permanent Press Set to permanent press dry cycle Gentle Cycle Set to delicate or gentle dry cycle No Heat/Air Cycle Set to tumble dry without using any form of heat   Ironing Fabric care icons for ironing that come with dots indicate recommended temperature settings. Iron Cool Iron in low heat; ideal for delicates like wool and silk Iron Warm Iron in medium heat; ideal for synthetic fabric Iron Hot Iron in high heat; ideal for linen and cotton Do Not Iron Avoid ironing Steam as Needed Use steam ironing as needed Do Not Steam Avoid steaming   Bleaching Do Not Bleach Avoid all types of bleach Bleach as Needed Can use any type of bleach Non-Chlorine Bleach Only Use non-chlorine bleach as needed   Dry Cleaning Dry Clean Dry-cleaned only Do Not Dry Clean Avoid dry cleaning   Why Luxury Garments Need Special Attention Most fabric products have labels indicating fabric care instruction symbols, including designer jackets, dresses, skirts, pants, and tops. Even though these luxury pieces are made with the finest fabrics and exceptional detail, they still need the right care to keep them looking their best. Some are even made with delicate materials like silk or include intricate decorative elements that need gentle, specialized care. With that said, garment care instructions solve those big problems. Each label is tailored to the unique fabric blend and construction of each piece of clothing, ensuring you know the best way to preserve its beauty. Take cashmere sweaters, for example. They benefit from a gentle approach – either hand-washing or using a delicate machine cycle to prevent shrinkage and maintain that plush feel. If you opt for the machine, use a mesh washing bag to protect the fabric from excessive agitation. You must also be careful about using heat in every step of garment care. For instance, silk skirts must be ironed using the lowest temperature setting to avoid burning the delicate fabric. By following manufacturer-recommended cleaning and maintenance procedures, you can enjoy your minimalist designer apparel for years to come.   Smart Care, Timeless Style Caring for your luxury garments doesn’t have to be a guessing game. After decoding these garment care symbols, follow these simple, tailored instructions to ensure your investment pieces look pristine and feel fresh season after season. Ready to elevate your wardrobe even further? Explore Rue Sophie’s minimalist luxury clothing collections today and discover more ways to build a sustainable, stylish wardrobe.

How to Wash Your Wool Sweater Without Shrinking It When you learn how to wash your wool sweater, you'll manage to do more than retain for decades this quintessential example of quiet luxury women’s clothing. Beyond longevity, a care regimen for wool also allows you to minimize your carbon footprint. Why? Because wool does not need to be washed after every use.  But just how often do you wash a wool sweater? Just twice in every season on average. You consume less energy and water to clean it.  When you wash it, the delicate and natural fibers require a low temperature. When you dry it, you just need to lay it flat on a surface. That you don’t have to wash your wool sweater as often as you thought may help you worry less about shrinking the garment.   Lyon Cable Knit Sweater - $298.00 Explore more knit sweater   Why Wool Shrinks The culprits to shrinking wool are heat and movement.  As a protein fiber, wool has a unique scale structure. It’s elastic and naturally crimped, so the fibers interlock and retain their shape. Through heat and movement, the scales swell and catch each other, binding the fibers closer and closer together until the garment shrinks. When you spin dry wool sweaters, the vigorous action in the machine felts the wool. Felting shrinks the fabric and changes its texture, transforming it into a fuzzy, thick fabric. Once that happens, you can’t restore the wool sweater’s original size. The best way to wash wool sweaters is to do it gently and to air dry the garment.   Crémieux Boxy Polo Sweater - $298.00 Explore more knit sweater   How to Wash Wool Sweaters at Home Wool care is not only gentler on the environment, it’s also easier than you think. Handwashing is the best option since it’s quick and more affordable than dry cleaning. Here’s how to clean your wool sweater by hand. Step 1: Use a big basin or a large sink and fill it with cool water. The basin or sink has to be big enough to soak your wool sweater.  Mix a cleanser that’s specifically formulated for wool, one that’s enzyme- and bleach-free. Alternatively, use baby shampoo, which should be mild enough to use on your wool sweater. Step 2: Soak the sweater. Dunk your sweater in the cool water mix, and let it soak for up to 30 minutes.  You can also swirl it a bit in the water before leaving the garment. A key thing to remember when you hand wash wool is to never rub the fabric. Step 3: Rinse by running cool water through the wool sweater. After 30 minutes, drain the soaking water and run cool water through the sweater until it’s no longer soapy. Step 4: Do not wring your sweater. Press the water out of the sweater gently with your hands.   How to machine wash your wool sweater. If you want to use a machine to wash your wool sweater, here’s how: Step 1: Place your wool sweaters in a mesh bag. Turn your wool sweaters inside out before placing them inside the mesh bag. The bag adds a layer of protection for the natural fibers of wool.  Similar to the soap used in handwashing, use wool-formulated soap. Avoid using fabric softeners because they will affect the natural fibers of wool. Step 2: Choose the delicate setting on your machine. Press the gentle cycle on your washing machine; some machines might have “hand wash” or “wool cycle.” Make sure the water is cold and the spin is set to low. Step 3: Take out the wool sweaters immediately after. Once the cycle is done, remove the mesh bag. Immediate removal prevents creasing, so you’ll want to stick around the machine before it stops.  Step 4: Gently squeeze out the water. Make sure your wool sweater isn’t dripping with water. Squeeze out moisture by gently pressing each sweater with your hand.   Here’s how to dry your wool sweaters. Air drying is the only way to dry wool. Even though some wool care instructions may allow a gentle dry cycle,  the low-heat level from your dryer will cause felting and piling, which will shrink the garment. How do you air dry a wool sweater? Lay it out onto a drying rack. If you don’t have one, a clean towel will do. Work the sweater into its original shape. Using your hands, gently press away any creases. This smoothing process will prevent wrinkles from forming. Squeeze out excess moisture from the sweater by rolling it up in the towel. Get another clean towel and lay out your wool sweater on it to continue drying it in a well-ventilated area. Never hang or yank at your wool sweaters. Doing either will warp the shape of your sweater.   Dion Wool & Silk Sweater - $248.00 Explore more knit sweater   Taking Your Wool Sweater to Professionals Before taking your wool garments to a service provider, make sure they can be machine washed. Check the labels of your sweaters. See which ones are strictly for hand washing and which ones can be machine washed. If your wool sweaters come in a variety of colors (always get the best women’s luxury tops in different colors), use separate bags for colored pieces and whites.   Although cleaners know and practice the nuances of washing wool garments, it’s safer to group your garments accordingly.   Versailles S/L Turtleneck Sweater Knit Top - $168.00 Explore more knit sweater   How to Take Care of Your Wool Sweater Wool garments can be washed twice every season, or depending on how often you use them. If you wear wool sweaters more than a few times, make sure they’re clean before putting them away.  We recommend the following steps before storing your garment. De-pile The more you wear a wool garment, the more piling occurs because of friction. Piling appears as little balls on your wool sweaters. You can get rid of them by using a sweater comb, for thinner weaves, or a sweater stone (usually made of pumice), for thicker sweaters. Move the comb or stone in the direction of the weave, never against it. Use gentle motions as you move the tool across the sweater. De-pile along the inseams, shoulders, underarms, and wherever friction mostly occurs. Spot Clean When you spot a stain, handle it with care. Simply drop a wool formulated detergent on the spot. Follow it up with a few drops of cool water, then create a lather. Gently work at the stain by massaging it. Remove the excess soap with a wet cotton ball. Repeat the process until you’re satisfied with cleaning. Lay the garment flat to dry. To store your wool sweaters, fold them carefully. Place them in zippered cotton or linen bags because breathable fabrics protect your delicate garments from moisture and bugs.  Wool is vulnerable to insects, so plastic and cardboard boxes are not suitable since these containers attract bugs. An extra step that can keep bugs away is steaming your wool garments.   Garches Turtleneck Sweater - $268.00 Explore more knit sweater   Shop for Wool Sweaters Natural fabrics like wool present opportunities to minimize your carbon footprint while allowing you to care for your garments. Whether you prefer alpaca to cashmere, wool is a perfect addition to your wardrobe. From versatile basics like black turtlenecks to modern and roomy crewnecks, Rue Sophie’s collection features pieces you’ll want to procure.  Shop for wool sweaters at Rue Sophie today.

Cashmere Care: How to Wash and Preserve Your Finest Knitwear Legendary fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy summed it up perfectly when he said, “All a woman needs to be chic is a raincoat, two suits, a pair of trousers, and a cashmere sweater.”A cashmere sweater deserves a spot in every lady’s minimalist wardrobe because nothing compares to its elegance, softness, and warmth. It’s a must-have when you need something warm yet lightweight to stay comfy and stylish.It’s a designer jacket for women you can wear during the cool seasons every year, especially if you know how to care for cashmere properly.   Boulogne Cashmere Blend Sweater - $268.00 Explore more knitwear styles from Rue Sophie.   Why Cashmere Requires Special Care Cashmere is made of fine, delicate fibers and contains natural oils that make it soft. Harsh cleaning products and methods can strip these oils and leave the fabric dry and prone to damage.Knowing how to clean a cashmere sweater correctly lets you maintain its quality and look longer, which means you can have a stylish and comfy piece you can wear year in and year out.   Denis S/L Turtleneck Knit Top - $168.00 /  Denis Wide Leg Sweater Pant - $198.00 Explore more knitwear styles from Rue Sophie.   How to Wash a Cashmere Sweater If you want your cashmere sweater and other pieces to be part of your fall and winter minimalist capsule wardrobe every year, follow these cleaning tips:   1. Skip dry cleaning. Since cashmere is a delicate, luxurious fabric, your first thought may be to have it dry-cleaned like your trench coats whenever you want it washed. However, dry cleaning it frequently isn’t recommended since it may cause more harm than good.Dry cleaning solvents and fluids have chemicals that can damage the cashmere’s delicate fibers, which will affect your sweater’s look, quality, and longevity.As such, dry clean cashmere only once or twice throughout its lifespan, and only during an emergency. Make sure you choose a trusted dry cleaner and ask them about the process and products they use for this particular fabric. Also, ask if the garments come out undamaged after they’re washed.   2. Hand-wash cashmere pieces. Hand washing is the safest way to keep your cashmere sweater clean without damaging it.But when you want to hand-wash cashmere sweaters, you need to follow these tips to protect and preserve their pristine condition and fabulous look:   Always wash white and beige cashmere sweaters separately from colored ones. Fill a basin, tub, or sink with cold water and add the recommended drops of cashmere shampoo or mild laundry detergent for delicate fabrics. Submerge and gently swirl the sweater in the water for 30 seconds and let it soak for 30 minutes. Drain the water and rinse the garment in clean, cool water until you’ve removed all bubbles or traces of detergent. Gently squeeze or press out the water from the fabric without rubbing, twisting, or wringing it. Place the sweater on a dry, clean towel, gently straighten it to its original shape and dimensions (but avoid stretching it), and air dry it. Washing cashmere by hand may take up plenty of your time, particularly if you have several garments with this fabric, but it’s the best and safest way to keep them clean.   3. Place the cashmere garment in a mesh washing bag if you are using a washing machine. If you don’t have time to hand-wash your cashmere sweater, use the washing machine. But unlike machine-washing your casual dresses, you need to take a few extra steps to avoid damaging your knitwear.Below are some tips on how to wash cashmere in a washing machine: Turn your cashmere sweater inside out and put it in a mesh washing bag. Add the recommended amount of cashmere shampoo or mild detergent. Do not add fabric softener since this can cause fabric pilling. Choose cold water and the delicate, low, and short speed cycles on the washing machine. Remove the sweater immediately once the cycle is complete to prevent creasing. If the garment is still wet, place it on a clean towel and leave it to air dry.   4. Spot clean stains. If you spilled coffee, tea, sauce, or any beverage or food on your cashmere sweater, clean it immediately.Put a small amount of laundry detergent, baby shampoo, or mild shampoo on a cotton swab and gently rub it onto the stain. Leave it for half an hour, then rinse it with water or wash the garment.Avoid dabbing or rubbing the garment aggressively since you might end up making the stain bigger and disrupt the weave, or make it fuzzier. Keep in mind that you don’t have to wash your cashmere sweater and other pieces after wearing it. Wash it once or twice during the cool seasons to avoid damaging the garments’ fibers.   Mignet Midi Sweater Dress - $248.00 Explore more knitwear styles from Rue Sophie.   How to Care for Cashmere: More Tips Proper cashmere care also involves knowing tips for wearing and storing these garments correctly to ensure you get the most out of them.These tips include: Avoid wearing your cashmere sweater daily to prevent excessive wear and maintain its quality. Avoid wearing jewelry and other accessories that could tear or snag your sweater. Use a cashmere comb to remove loose fibers. Fold (never hang) your cashmere sweater to avoid distorting its size. Keep the garment in a clean, cool, and dry place. When winter is over, wash and dry your cashmere sweater and place it in a cotton storage bag to protect it from bugs and moisture. This storing tip ensures you can wear it again as soon as you need it.It’s also great advice to follow when storing your designer evening dresses.An authentic, high-quality cashmere sweater is a timeless investment. Protect this essential piece and make it a part of your minimalist wardrobe for years to come by giving it the thoughtful care it deserves.Visit our knitwear collection to browse through more of our cashmere sweaters – pieces that can certainly enhance your fall and winter wardrobe.