How to Care for Premium Materials

Preserving Quality for Years to Come

Investing in premium pieces is only the beginning. Proper care ensures that your CHRONOS & NOBLE garments retain their beauty, structure, and longevity for years—even decades. Understanding how to care for luxury materials is essential to protecting your investment and enjoying your pieces season after season.

The Foundation: Read the Care Label

Every garment includes care instructions tailored to its specific materials and construction. These aren't suggestions—they're essential guidelines developed to preserve your piece's integrity. When in doubt, always refer to the care label or consult a professional cleaner experienced with luxury garments.

Caring for Natural Fibers

Cashmere & Fine Wool:

• Hand wash in cold water with a gentle pH-neutral detergent designed for delicates
• Never wring—gently squeeze excess water
• Dry flat on a clean towel, reshaping while damp
• Store folded, never hung, to prevent stretching
• Use cedar blocks or lavender sachets to deter moths
• Professional cleaning once per season for structured pieces

Silk:

• Dry clean for structured silk garments (blazers, tailored pieces)
• Hand wash delicate silk items in cold water with silk-specific detergent
• Never expose to direct sunlight—it weakens fibers and causes fading
• Iron on low temperature while slightly damp, using a pressing cloth
• Store in breathable garment bags, away from direct light
• Avoid contact with perfume and deodorant—they can permanently stain

Cotton & Linen:

• Wash in cold to warm water to prevent shrinkage
• Use gentle cycle for fine cotton; regular cycle for sturdy weaves
• Remove promptly from washer to minimize wrinkles
• Iron linen while slightly damp for best results
• Store in cool, dry places—cotton and linen breathe
• White pieces benefit from occasional sun exposure to maintain brightness

Leather & Suede Care

Leather:

• Wipe with a soft, dry cloth after each wear to remove surface dirt
• Condition 2-3 times per year with quality leather conditioner
• Protect from rain—if wet, stuff with paper and dry slowly at room temperature
• Store on padded hangers in breathable garment bags
• Professional cleaning for stains or deep conditioning
• Avoid direct heat sources—they dry out and crack leather

Suede:

• Brush regularly with a suede brush to maintain nap and remove dirt
• Use suede protector spray before first wear
• Blot (never rub) liquid spills immediately
• Professional cleaning only—home methods can damage suede
• Store away from direct light to prevent fading
• Use a suede eraser for minor marks and scuffs

Washing Best Practices

Temperature Matters: Hot water shrinks natural fibers, fades colors, and weakens fabric structure. Cold to warm water preserves color, shape, and fiber integrity.

Gentle Detergents: Harsh chemicals strip natural oils from fibers and fade colors. Use pH-neutral, dye-free detergents designed for delicates. Avoid fabric softeners—they coat fibers and reduce breathability.

Turn Inside Out: Protect outer surfaces from friction and fading by washing garments inside out.

Separate Colors: Wash darks separately, especially during first washes when dye may bleed.

Don't Overload: Garments need space to move freely in the wash. Overcrowding causes excessive friction and inadequate cleaning.

Drying Guidelines

Air Drying: The gentlest method for all fabrics. Dry flat for knits, hang for wovens. Avoid direct sunlight for colored garments.

Machine Drying: Use only for sturdy cottons and linens. Low heat setting to prevent shrinkage. Remove while slightly damp to minimize wrinkles.

Never Tumble Dry: Wool, cashmere, silk, or any structured garment. Heat causes irreversible shrinkage and damage.

Proper Storage

Hanging vs. Folding:

• Hang: Shirts, dresses, trousers, structured jackets (use quality hangers)
• Fold: Knits, sweaters, t-shirts, delicate items (prevents stretching)

Seasonal Storage:

• Clean all items before storing—stains set over time
• Use breathable cotton garment bags, not plastic
• Add cedar blocks or lavender to deter moths
• Store in cool, dry, dark places
• Check periodically for signs of moisture or pests

Stain Treatment

Act Quickly: Fresh stains are easier to remove than set stains. Blot (never rub) immediately.

Test First: Always test stain treatments on an inconspicuous area first.

Common Stains:

• Oil-based: Blot with cornstarch or talcum powder, let sit, brush off, then wash
• Wine/coffee: Blot immediately, rinse with cold water, treat with gentle stain remover
• Ink: Dab with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab, blot with clean cloth
• Blood: Rinse immediately with cold water, never hot

When to Seek Professional Help: Delicate fabrics, set stains, or precious pieces should go to professional cleaners experienced with luxury garments.

Between-Wear Care

Air Out: Hang garments after wearing to allow moisture and odors to dissipate before storing.

Spot Clean: Treat small marks immediately rather than washing the entire garment unnecessarily.

Steam: Use a garment steamer to refresh pieces and remove wrinkles without washing.

Rotate: Don't wear the same pieces consecutively. Fabrics need time to recover their shape.

Professional Care

Establish a relationship with a quality dry cleaner experienced with luxury garments. Not all cleaners are equal—inquire about their experience with premium materials, cleaning methods, and policies for damaged items.

Professional cleaning is essential for:

• Structured garments (blazers, coats)
• Delicate materials (silk, fine wool)
• Difficult stains
• End-of-season deep cleaning

Repairs & Alterations

Quality pieces deserve quality repairs. A skilled tailor can:

• Replace buttons and repair buttonholes
• Mend small tears or worn areas
• Adjust fit as your body changes
• Refresh linings
• Restore garment structure

Timely repairs prevent small issues from becoming major problems and significantly extend your garments' life.

The Investment in Care

Proper care requires time and attention, but the rewards are substantial: garments that look newer longer, pieces that maintain their value, and the satisfaction of wearing beautifully maintained clothes.

At CHRONOS & NOBLE, we're always available to answer questions about caring for your pieces. Your investment in quality deserves the investment in proper care.

Treat your pieces well, and they'll serve you beautifully for years.