Henne believe caring for our clothing has a positive environmental impact on the overall garments footprint.
PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE
Care for your Henne.
Caring for your Henne wardrobe extends the life of your favourite pieces and helps to reduce their overall environmental footprint. It is always better to revive, repair and re-wear a garment before you replace it. Our care guide has been compiled to help you understand how to best care for your clothes to preserve their beauty and longevity.
OUR MATERIALS
How to care.
Take a mindful approach to washing. Only wash your clothing when necessary. Washing less will reduce the wear and tear on the fabric and preserve colours and finishes for longer. Explore spot cleaning to remove any blemishes. Airing and steaming your garments can help your clothes smell fresh without washing them. Lint removal can help to make items appear crisp without a wash.
Washing
Machine Washing
When essential to wash your garment, always read the care label first. Each garment has different needs to ensure it stays in the best possible condition. Turning your clothing inside out helps to preserve colour, prints and embellishments. Protect delicate items by using laundry bags. Separate your wash into lights, darks and colours to help prevent dye transfer. Reduce the energy footprint of your wash cycle by using cold water. Use low spin cycles to help garments hold their shape for longer. Consider using eco-conscious detergents to help keep your wastewater cleaner and avoid using bleach whenever possible.
Extra care should be taken when cleaning fabrics and knitwear that contain animal fibres like Wool, Cashmere, Mohair, Alpaca and Yak. These fibres require special ‘Wool Wash’ detergents to prevent the fibres from felting, causing the garment to shrink. Never use bleach or harsh cleaning products on your knitwear. Read the care label carefully to keep these precious fibres in their best condition.
Hand Washing
Sometimes hand washing is recommended for delicate garments that can’t withstand the agitation of machine washing. The best way to hand wash is to fill a sink with cold water, adding a little detergent as the water is running to mix it through. As you would for a machine wash, turn your garment inside out and immerse in the prepared water & detergent solution. Let it rest there for a few minutes to become completely soaked. Once the garment is soaked, agitate it gently in the water to help the detergent move through the fibres. Continue this for a minute or two, checking that any visible blemishes disappear. Then rinse your garment in fresh cold water to remove the detergent.
To remove the water gently squeeze as much water out as you can, do not wring your garments, it will break the fibres in the fabric and put pressure on seams. If you find your garments are still quite wet, lay them on a clean bath towel and roll the towel up quite tight, rolling the garment in it. The towel will assist to remove excess water.
Spot Cleaning
Take a clean damp cloth and gently wipe the fabric to remove the blemish. Take care not to use brightly coloured cloth as it could transfer colour onto your garment. A light neutral-coloured cloth is best. If the blemish is larger you can immerse the affected area of the garment in cold water and gently rub the surface with a cloth.
Airing, Steaming & Refreshing
To refresh a garment, simply air it outside by hanging it on a traditional clothesline. Sunshine sanitizes fabrics and the fresh air will help to remove odours. Turn garments inside-out to avoid colours fading.
Steaming garments with a handheld steamer is another effective way of refreshing a garment. Hang tailored garments on a clothes hanger, lay knitwear flat and gently apply the steam, paying particular attention to places where garments may retain odours.
Storing
Storing your clothing correctly is also an integral part of extending the life of your wardrobe. Tailored garments like jackets, coats, blazers, trousers, and structured skirts should be stored hanging. Use good quality hangers to support the shoulders of your coats and blazers properly. Hang tailored trousers along the press mark instead of the side seam and avoid cramming too many garments into a small space to avoid creases and wrinkles.
Storing your summer or winter wardrobe in boxes or garment bags when not in use is a great way to create space in a smaller wardrobe. Styles you don’t need for the current season can be washed, dry cleaned, de-pilled, repaired and folded in boxes or laid flat in garment bags ready to wear when the weather changes.
Knitwear, including knitted dresses and delicate tops, should always be folded for storage as hanging can cause the shape to warp or the length to grow.
Knitwear styles that have an animal fibre content like wool, cashmere, mohair, alpaca and yak should be stored with a moth deterrent like balls or blocks of red cedar wood to stop moths from nibbling holes in your precious knits.
Accessories like bags and shoes should be spot cleaned after wear to keep them looking fresh. Store in dust bags to prevent small dust particles from settling in the seams and making them look aged. Consider the use of wooden shoe trees to help your leather shoes keep their toe shape and prevent creasing. They are a very effective tool for extending the life of your shoes.
Steaming
Handheld steamers have come a long way. We love using them to refresh garments by removing odours and bacteria instead of washing them. Some fibres like viscose can shrink in the wash. Steaming can help the fibres relax and return to their original size. Handheld steamers are also a fantastic alternative to traditional irons, easily removing creases and wrinkles without the risk of over-pressing.
Drying
Drying clothes outside on a traditional clothesline is the best method for drying most garments. Hang them inside out when exposed to direct sunlight to prevent fading. Knitwear should be laid flat to dry. You can lay a clean dry towel over multiple strings of your clothesline and lay your knit inside out on top to dry outside.
Place clothes pegs in an inconspicuous area of your garments to avoid peg marks such as the underarms of t-shirts & tops and over the belt loops on pants.
Wherever possible avoid the use of clothes dryers, they can be particularly hard on fabrics, cause shrinking and use a huge amount of energy to run. If you find you must use the dryer, follow the care label on your garments carefully. Many garments can’t be put in the dryer at all.
De-pilling
Knitwear pilling is normal, especially for loosely spun yarns and animal fibres like wool, cashmere, mohair, alpaca and yak. Loosely spun fibres pill when they are exposed to friction during washing and wearing. Pills can easily be removed with a sweater comb or de-piller to help your garments to look fresh again.
Before de-pilling, test your chosen tool on a small inconspicuous area to ensure you aren’t damaging the garment. Lay the garment flat on a clean surface and gently glide the tool over the surface of the garment working in one direction with short strokes. Take care not to apply too much pressure. Repeat the process if necessary until all pills are removed.
Ironing
Always check the care instructions on your garment before ironing, it will indicate the appropriate iron temperature for the fabric. We also recommend ironing the inside of the garment wherever possible. This will help you avoid press marks or shine that can sometimes result from ironing.
Dry Cleaning
Some fabrics and garments can’t be machine or hand-washed so dry cleaning is the only alternative. As you would before washing, check to see if blemishes can be spot cleaned. Try steaming or airing to freshen smells and try a lint remover to give your garment a refresh before resorting to dry cleaning. If dry cleaning is necessary, your cleaner will check the care label to process the garment correctly. Some garments like trench coats need to have their belts removed before cleaning, we recommend doing this yourself before taking the garment to the cleaners to avoid the trim becoming lost.
Alterations, Mending & Repairs
Your local dry cleaner or alterations shop can be an amazing resource for garment repair and alterations at very reasonable prices. Take your garment in and discuss the alteration or repair you require, if it can be done, they will be happy to help.
OUR MATERIALS
The Do's & Dont's.
VISCOSE
Viscose is derived from wood pulp or cellulose from fast growing, regenerative trees, such as eucalyptus, beech and pine. It can also be made from sugar cane or plants like bamboo. Is a great option if you are looking for a lightweight material with a nice drape, lustrous finish, and a soft feel – think of our Anika Top. Is easy to wash, has great moisture absorption and retains colour over time well. We also love using viscose blended with other yarns in suiting and knitwear, for added softness and drape.
DO:
- Always refer to care label – some viscose and viscose blends should only be dry cleaned.
- Select a delicate cycle on your washing machine and ensure water temperature is cold and spin is on low.
- Lay the item flat in its natural shape on a drying rack.
- Knit and knitwear items like our Argo Knit Top, Elke Top or Classic Racer Tank should be stored folded to prevent stretching or distorting.
- If you find they've gotten a touch smaller, a warm steam (not iron) will bring them back to shape as viscose will grow with heat. If you don't have a steamer - place you iron a few inches from the fabric and spray the steam towards it.
DON'T:
- Do not wring as it tends to break the fibres.
- Never place viscose or viscose blend items in the dryer. Viscose will shrink.
COTTON
Cotton is a natural staple fibre, which means it is composed of different, varying lengths of fibres. It grows in a form known as a ball around the seeds of the cotton plant, a shrub native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world. Is a kind fibre to the skin that offers breathability, lightness, durability and good moisture-absorbing properties. We use 100% cotton throughout some of our Essential pieces, Sweatshirts, Trackpants and Denim as well as blended with other fibres in Knitwear & Pants.
DO:
- Always refer to care label.
- Pre-treat your cotton garments to remove stain spots or specific regions exposed to sweat and antiperspirant (armpits and neckline areas)
- Wash in cold water, (30°C or below) whether using a washing machine or washing by hand and ensure colours are separated.
- 100% Cotton clothes may shrink if put in the dryer on a high setting- always use a low setting. Most cotton blends should be able to survive a low setting drying cycle shrink free.
DON'T:
- Mix cotton-coloured garments with white’s.
- Do not use hot water as it may shrink the fibres.
- Never use high heat in the dryer or use very hot iron to remove wrinkles.
TENCEL
TENCEL™ is the trademarked name for Lyocell. This is a semi-synthetic fibre made of wood pulp from farmed eucalyptus trees that are traceable to managed forests The eucalyptus trees are grown on farms where no old growth forests, genetic manipulation, or pesticides are used. Tencel is soft and silky, with a lovely drape. It is very finely spun which makes it feels high quality to touch. We love this fabrication and how it performs blended with other fibres for pants and jackets. Our Carson Pant for example is made of cotton and Tencel – which gives extra drape and softness to a tailored-like pant.
DO:
- Always refer to care label.
- Pre-treat your tencel garments to remove stain spots or specific regions exposed to swear and antiperspirant (armpits and neckline areas)
- Wash in cold water, (30 C or below) whether using a washing machine or washing by hand and ensure colours are separated. Tencel clothes may shrink if put in the dryer on a high setting - always use a low setting. Most cotton blends should be able to survive a low setting drying cycle shrink free.
DON'T:
- Mix cotton-coloured garments with white’s.
- Do not use hot water as it may shrink the fibres.
POLYESTER & RECYCLED POLYESTER
Polyester is a generalised term for any fabric or textile, which is made using man -made polymer yarns or fibres. Modern, high grade and good polyester blends can feel and look as beautiful as real silk or wool, while offering durability and ease of care It is a very durable fibre, which is tear-proof and abrasion resistant, though it can be prone to pilling. It is designed to absorb moisture but not retain it which makes it ideal for activewear garments used for workouts. Its properties also make it useful for long-lasting outerwear pieces.
Recycled polyester can be produced from pre-consumer or post-consumer waste like plastic bottles, that is broken down into small chips then spun into yarn. This new yarn helps reduce the amount of used plastic in landfills and can be recycled again if ever discarded. The shell of our Puffer Jackets is made from recycled polyester.
DO:
- Always refer to care label. Different polyester and blends might require dry or spot cleaning.
- Select a standard cycle on your washing machine. Opt for cool water. Polyester is heat sensitive and high temperatures can cause it to melt, shrink or deform.
- To minimize the need for ironing, garments should be hung immediately after drying.
DON'T:
- Never use high heat in the dryer or use very hot iron to remove wrinkles.
VEGAN LEATHER
Vegan leather is a material that mimics leather but is created from artificial or plant products instead of animal skins. Henne’s vegan leather is made of to look and feel like leather but cruelty-free. We have worked closely with our mills & suppliers to find a soft, stable and durable coating quality that executes so well on styles like our Elina or Sanna Pants. Our vegan leather is made of 100% polyurethane.
DO:
- Always refer to care label.
- Spot clean with mild soap and water using a gentle cloth.
- Freshen between cleaning using a clothing mist with antibacterial properties that can also remove odour.
DON'T:
- Do not machine wash our Henne’s Vegan leather items as this will wear on the surface finish.
- Do not tumble dry or iron.
- Do not leave exposed to direct sunlight over long periods of time.
WOOL & ACRYLIC
Wool is a natural fibre that is obtained from sheep and other hairy mammals, like goats, (cashmere and mohair) rabbits, (angora) camels, (alpaca) yaks (yak wool), etc. Wool is known for its durability and thermally insulating properties, but it is also temperature-regulating to stay cool when it’s warm. When it is woven into textiles, wool has a natural waviness called “crimp.” This crimp contributes to wool’s insulative properties, which exist because the bulkiness of wool naturally traps air
We love 100% wool for warmth and comfort as well as wool blends that offer stability and shape retention from fibres like nylon or polyester. Wool fibres are not only used in our knitwear, but also on our suiting, tailoring and outerwear. Woven woollen fabrics can be eased perfectly into shape into jacket or coats.
Acrylic is a man -made polymer fibre. Fibres can be formed from wet or dry spinning and after texturising them, acrylic fibres can have a light bulky wool-like handle and overall wool-like aesthetics, including soft, flexible, lightweight and lofty yarns. It was originally created as a a wool alternative and today is widely used across sportswear and knitwear. Acrylic offers warmth without being heavy, takes colour well and is easy to wash and care for.
DO:
- Wash your knitwear by hand or on gentle cycle with like colours.
- Only use wool friendly detergents and avoid stain removers and bleach.
- If you are hand washing, get rid of excess water by rolling your knit on a clean towel on flat surface and press gently to absorb the water.
- Always store your knits folded.
- Pilling of wool, especially cashmere & mohair is normal and is a natural reaction especially on any loosely/short spun yarns when the fibres are exposed to rubbing during wear. Pilling can be easily removed with a sweater comb or a pilling remover to extend the life time of your knitwear.
DON'T:
- Do not wring.
- Do not hang knitwear – it will distort the shape.
NYLON OR POLYAMIDE
Nylon is a whole family of very similar types of materials called polyamides. A nylon polymer is made by reacting together two large molecules using heat and pressure from an industrial-strength kettle. This chemical reaction forms a large polymer—in the form of a sheet of nylon that is then broken into chips, melted, and drawn through spinneret to produce individual strands – in a very similar way to polyester yarn production. Is very resilient, (springing back into shape) resist wrinkling, dries quickly and is easy to wash and care, which makes the perfect fabrication for our seamless pieces.
DO:
- Always refer to care label. Different nylon fibres and blends might require dry or spot cleaning.
- Select a standard cycle on your washing machine. Opt for cool water. Nylon is heat sensitive and high temperatures can cause it to melt, shrink or deform.
- To minimize the need for ironing, garments should be hung immediately after drying.
DON'T:
- Never use high heat in the dryer or use very hot iron to remove wrinkles.
DENIM
DO:
- Henne denim is made of 100% Cotton twill – a robust base cloth that will survive the conventional washing machine. There is nothing wrong with washing denim but doing it less often will prolong it’s life and will lower your laundry’s impact on the environment.
- Airing, steaming or spot cleaning stains so that you get more wears between washing.
- Always turn jeans inside out before placing them in the washing machine, this prevents fading and snagging with other items in the load.
- Hand or machine wash in cold water on a gentle cycle. Cool and cold water is best to retain colour and shape.
- Wash with similar colours.
- Lay the garments out to dry, flat and in the shade. You can soften them by steaming or ironing the garment inside out.
- Refresh your jeans by putting them in the freezer to remove odour & germs instead of washing
- If you want your denim to shrink if it’s relaxed over time, pop in dryer
- Never pull your jeans up by the belt loops
- Extra care should be taken when putting on ripped jeans, so you don’t distress them further
DON'T:
- Never wash white denim and blue denim together.
- Never wash white denim and black denim together.
- Avoid tumble dry, this could shrink & damage the fibres.
- Don’t use fabric softner.
SEAMLESS
DO:
- Always refer to care label.
- Our seamless garments are currently made of 100% polyamide so be sure to wash in low temperatures.
- Pre-treat stains, if necessary, before putting them in the wash.
- Cold machine or hand wash. We recommend washing inside out.
- Air drying is best to avoid damage from the heat in the dryer. The high heat from the dryer can warp individual strands and weaken the material.
- Use with caution around rings and other sharp objects when you are putting them on.
DON'T:
- Do not tumble dry.
HEAVY HARDWARE
DO:
- Always refer to care label as the washing cycle and temperature will change based on fabric composition.
- For styles such as our Billie Top, we recommend using a mesh bag, turning garment inside out if machine washing. Use cold water and a low spin cycle.
- If hand washing do not soak for longer periods of time.
- Dry flat.
DON'T:
- For Viscose and viscose blends, do not tumble dry.
PUFFER JACKETS
- Always refer to care label.
- Our Arlo Puffer & Arlo Longline Puffer shouldn’t be washed to often; frequent washing makes the filling lose its fluffiness. Instead, we recommend you airing, misting it and always start with spot cleaning.
- Cold hand wash and line dry.
