The most important truth about luxury items: they are nearly always more durable than their care instructions suggest, and far more affected by incorrect care than by use. A silk pillowcase washed correctly every week for ten years will outlast one washed incorrectly even twice. This guide covers the care principles that matter for every category.
Caring for Silk
Silk is protein-based, like hair. It responds well to gentle treatment and poorly to alkaline detergents, heat and mechanical agitation. Key rules:
- Washing: Hand wash in cool water (below 30°C) with a silk-specific or very mild detergent. Turn the garment inside out. Do not soak for more than five minutes. Machine washing on a delicate cycle in a mesh bag at 30°C is acceptable for robust silk pieces, but hand washing is always preferable.
- Drying: Never wring. Roll in a clean towel to remove excess water, then lay flat or hang away from direct sunlight. Sunlight degrades silk fibres and fades colour.
- Ironing: Iron inside out on a low (silk) setting while still slightly damp. Never use steam directly on silk.
- Storage: Store in breathable cloth bags, not plastic. Plastic traps moisture and promotes yellowing.
Browse our silk collection including pillowcases, scarves and accessories. See the complete guide to real silk for more on identifying quality silk.
Caring for Linen Bedding
Linen is one of the most rewarding textiles to care for because it genuinely improves with washing. The fibres soften and brighten over time. Key rules:
- Washing: Machine wash at 40°C on a regular cycle. Linen can handle higher temperatures (60°C) for deep cleaning but frequent high-temperature washing accelerates wear. Use a gentle, non-biological detergent.
- Drying: Line drying is best — linen emerges almost wrinkle-free from a line. Tumble dry on low heat if needed; remove while still slightly damp.
- Ironing: Iron damp on a linen or cotton setting. The wrinkles of unwashed linen are part of its character and are widely considered desirable rather than a flaw.
- Storage: Store in a cool, dry place. Avoid storing in plastic bags.
Browse our linen bedding collection. See the linen bedding guide for buying advice.
Caring for Crystal Glassware
Crystal glassware is more fragile than pressed glass but not as fragile as many assume. The risks are: thermal shock, dishwasher detergents and mechanical impact. Key rules:
- Washing: Ideally hand wash in warm (not hot) water with a small amount of washing-up liquid. Rinse in clean warm water. If using a dishwasher, use the delicate or glassware cycle with a low-temperature final rinse and a detergent specifically designed for crystal. Avoid standard dishwasher tablets on fine crystal.
- Drying: Dry immediately with a lint-free cloth held inside the glass to prevent water spots. Never leave crystal to air dry.
- Storage: Store upright, never stacked bowl-to-bowl. The most common cause of crystal damage is a stack shifting. Store in a stable cupboard where glasses cannot fall when the door is opened.
- Polishing: A light polish with a specialist crystal cloth before a dinner party removes any cloudiness and restores the brilliance that crystal is prized for.
Browse our crystal glassware and decanters. See the guide to real crystal vs mass-produced glass.
Caring for Leather Accessories
Quality leather improves with age and use when properly maintained. Neglected leather dries, cracks and fades. Key rules:
- Cleaning: Wipe with a clean, slightly damp cloth to remove surface dirt. Never soak leather. For stubborn stains, use a specialist leather cleaner applied with a soft cloth.
- Conditioning: Apply a quality leather conditioner every 3–6 months to prevent drying and cracking. Conditioned leather develops a rich patina over time; neglected leather becomes stiff and dull.
- Storage: Store leather wallets and accessories away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Never store in airtight containers — leather needs to breathe.
- Rain and water: Quality leather can tolerate light rain. If soaked, allow to dry naturally at room temperature, away from heat sources. Do not use a hairdryer or place near radiators.
Browse our wallets collection. See the luxury wallet buying guide for what to look for in quality leather goods.
Caring for Silverware and Cutlery
Silver tarnishes naturally through contact with air and sulphur compounds. Tarnish is not damage — it polishes off to reveal the original surface beneath. Key rules:
- Washing: Hand wash silver cutlery in warm soapy water immediately after use. Do not leave to soak. Dry immediately and thoroughly — water causes tarnishing.
- Polishing: Use a specialist silver polish and a soft cloth. Polish with straight strokes, not circular. Rinse thoroughly after polishing to remove any polish residue.
- Storage: Store in anti-tarnish cloth bags or rolls when not in regular use. Silver left unwrapped in a humid environment will tarnish faster.
Browse our cutlery collection.
Getting the Most from Luxury Candles
A luxury candle can last significantly longer and burn more cleanly with correct technique:
- First burn: Always burn a new candle until the wax pool reaches the edge of the vessel on the first lighting. This prevents tunnelling — where the wick burns down the centre leaving wasted wax on the sides. This first burn may take 2–4 hours.
- Wick trimming: Trim the wick to approximately 5 mm before every use. A long wick produces soot and an uneven burn.
- Extinguishing: Use a snuffer rather than blowing — blowing can push the wick into the wax and cause issues on relighting. It also prevents the smoke from a blown-out flame.
Browse our luxury candles collection. See the guide to choosing a luxury candle.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can silk be machine washed?
- Yes, on a delicate cycle in a mesh bag at 30°C with a silk-friendly detergent. Hand washing is always preferable but machine washing on the correct setting is safe for most silk items.
- Can crystal glassware go in the dishwasher?
- Hand washing is recommended. If using a dishwasher, use the glassware cycle on a low temperature with crystal-safe detergent. Never use standard dishwasher tablets on fine crystal.
- How do I prevent linen bedding from wrinkling?
- Line dry while still damp and shake out before hanging. Remove from the dryer slightly damp and smooth immediately. Many people consider linen's natural wrinkles part of its character.
- How often should leather wallets be conditioned?
- Every 3–6 months with a quality leather conditioner. More frequently if the wallet is used daily in dry or hot environments.
