Travelling Clothes Care Tips
Taking Care of Clothes while Travelling
Taking good care of your clothes while on the road ensures your favourite items last longer and stay looking fresh. Clothes can be under additional stress while traveling, as they may be more frequently handled, packed, folded, and washed, particularly on extended trips. That’s why a careful wash and dry can help to keep them in top condition.
Before you wash your clothes, it is important to read the care instructions, especially if the item is new. For example, for organic cotton, the first wash is best done with cold water, as the fabric may not be chemically treated and may shrink in a hot wash.
As a general rule of thumb, while keeping optimal personal hygiene in mind, washing clothes as infrequently as possible, is one way to maintain the quality of the fabric. Also, in many destinations around the world - freshwater is a scarce resource, so it is always good to be mindful and conserve water as much as possible while washing. Finally, while some fabrics can be safely tumbled dried, it is always preferable to hang or air dry, as it saves energy and involves less wear and tear. Below are specific wash and care tips for some commonly used VOYA fabrics.
Silk
Silk should always be hand-washed in lukewarm water using a gentle non-alkaline soap or baby shampoo. Do not soak for more than a few minutes and never wring or twist dry. Use a towel (or two) to absorb the water from your silk garment and hang to dry. Any wrinkles should disappear overnight.
Cotton
Spot-treat any stains before washing. Turn the garment inside-out and hand-wash in cold or lukewarm water. After the final rinse, gently shake the item to avoid deep wrinkles and hang immediately. Alternatively, lay flat to air-dry. Never tumble dry 100% cotton fabrics. Use an iron at low heat to smooth out any remaining creases.
Linen
As linen creases easily, ironing linen clothes the day before they need to be folded and packed can help to avoid deep wrinkles in the suitcase. Linen should always be washed in lukewarm water with a mild detergent. Never wring, twist, or scrub the fabric as this will cause damage. Always air-dry linen lying flat and iron them while they are still slightly damp to touch.
Tencel
Handwash Tencel fabrics in cold water using a mild soap. Try not rub the fabric together too much as it may leave streaks. To dry, simply lay the garment flat on a towel. Never twist or wring Tencel as it will break the fiber. Do not tumble dry.
Merino Wool
Wash inside out, separately, in warm water with a mild detergent. Dry on a flat surface, preferably on a towel and shape the garment in place while it is still damp. Do not wring, twist, or tumble dry.
Cashmere
While traveling, it may be preferable to simply spot-wash your cashmere garment. However, if a full-wash is necessary, always hand wash in lukewarm water with a conditioning shampoo specifically made for cashmere. Turn the garment inside out and squeeze clean gently. Rolling is ok, but do not rub or wring. Rinse with lukewarm water and dry flat over a towel. Always avoid direct heat or sunlight and never tumble dry.
These simple clean and care tips should help to keep your garments fresh, soft, vibrant and long- lasting, while you travel.
