How to Take Care of Your Clothes — The Complete Guide

Your clothes are an investment. Whether it’s a favourite hoodie or a go-to pair of jeans — how you wash, dry and store them makes all the difference. This guide covers everything you need to keep your Zdravexx pieces looking great for years.

From everyday basics to statement pieces — proper care extends the life of every item in your wardrobe. Browse our full range of men’s, women’s and kids’ clothing and make every piece last.

Understanding Care Label Symbols

Every garment has a care label — but what do those little symbols actually mean? Here’s your quick reference guide:

🪣 Machine Wash Safe to wash in machine

30° 30°C Max Use cool wash cycle

✋ Hand Wash Only Do not machine wash

🚫 Do Not Wash Dry clean only

♨️ Iron Safe Iron on low/medium heat

💨 Tumble Dry Safe for dryer on low

🌿 Dry Flat Lay flat to dry naturally

🧴 Dry Clean Professional cleaning only

💡 Quick tip When in doubt, always check the care label first — and when in doubt between two options, choose the gentler one. Cold water and air drying are almost always safe.

Washing Guide by Fabric Type

Different fabrics need different treatment. Here’s a full breakdown:

Fabric	Wash Temp	Cycle	Drying	Ironing
Cotton	30–40°C	Normal	Tumble or air dry	Medium heat
Polyester	30°C	Gentle	Tumble low or air dry	Low heat
Cotton / Poly Blend	30–40°C	Normal	Tumble low or air dry	Medium heat
Fleece / Sweatshirt	30°C	Gentle, inside out	Air dry flat	Avoid ironing
Knitwear / Wool	Cold (30°C max)	Wool / delicate	Dry flat — never hang	Steam only
Denim	Cold (30°C)	Gentle, inside out	Hang to dry	Medium, inside out
Nylon / Swimwear	Cold hand wash	Hand wash only	Hang or lay flat	Do not iron
Linen	40°C	Gentle	Air dry	Medium, slightly damp

How to Wash Your Clothes the Right Way

Follow these steps every time you do laundry and your clothes will thank you:

Sort by colour and fabric — Whites with whites, darks with darks. Never mix a brand new dark item with lighter clothes on the first wash — colours can bleed.
Turn garments inside out — This protects prints, embroidery, and the outer surface from friction. Especially important for printed t-shirts and hoodies.
Use the right amount of detergent — More is not better. Too much detergent leaves residue and makes fabric stiff. Follow the recommended dose on the packaging.
Choose the right temperature — Cool water (30°C) is almost always safe and better for the environment. Only use higher temperatures for heavily soiled cotton items.
Don’t overload the machine — Clothes need space to move in the drum to get properly clean. A packed machine also creates more friction, which wears fabric faster.
Remove clothes promptly — Don’t leave wet clothes sitting in the drum. Remove them as soon as the cycle finishes to prevent mildew and stubborn creases.

⛔ Never mix chlorine bleach with coloured clothing. Even a tiny amount can permanently discolour fabrics. For stain removal, use an oxygen-based stain remover instead.

Drying — The Right Way

✅ DO

Air dry when possible — it’s gentler and more eco-friendly
Hang shirts and tops on proper hangers to keep shape
Lay knitwear and heavy sweaters flat to dry
Dry in a well-ventilated space out of direct sunlight
Shake garments out before hanging to reduce creases

❌ DON’T

Don’t tumble dry delicates, wool, or printed items
Don’t dry in direct sunlight — it fades colours fast
Don’t hang knitwear — it stretches out of shape
Don’t dry near high heat sources like radiators
Don’t leave damp clothes bunched up

🌿 Eco tip from Zdravexx Air drying instead of using a tumble dryer can reduce your energy use significantly — and your clothes will last much longer too. A win for your wardrobe and the planet.

Stain Removal — Act Fast

The golden rule with stains: the sooner you treat them, the better. Here’s what to do for the most common stains:

Stain Type	First Action	Treatment	Avoid
Coffee / Tea	Blot immediately — don’t rub	Cold water + liquid detergent, soak 10 min	Hot water — it sets the stain
Grass	Let it dry, brush off excess	Oxygen stain remover, soak 30 min	Rubbing while wet
Oil / Grease	Sprinkle baking soda, wait 15 min	Dish soap applied directly, rinse cold	Water before treating — spreads the stain
Blood	Rinse with cold water immediately	Cold water + salt, then detergent	Hot water — permanently sets blood stains
Red Wine	Blot with a cloth, don’t rub	Salt to absorb, then sparkling water	Rubbing — spreads the stain wider
Ink	Dab with rubbing alcohol	Alcohol + cold water rinse, then wash	Heat of any kind before stain is out
Sweat	Rinse in cold water	White vinegar soak 30 min, then wash	Letting it dry before treating

Storing Your Clothes Properly

How you store clothes matters just as much as how you wash them. Poor storage causes wrinkles, stretching, moth damage and musty odours.

Use proper hangers — Wooden or padded hangers for shirts and jackets. Avoid wire hangers — they distort shoulder shape over time.
Fold, don’t hang knitwear — Knitwear and women’s knitwear stretches if hung. Always fold and store flat in a drawer or on a shelf.
Store seasonally — Pack away off-season clothes in breathable cotton bags or boxes. Avoid plastic bags — they trap moisture.
Use cedar or lavender — Natural moth repellents that won’t damage fabric. Place cedar blocks or lavender sachets in your wardrobe.
Don’t store clothes damp — Always make sure clothes are completely dry before folding and putting away. Even slightly damp clothes can develop mould and odours.
Store swimwear dry and away from sunlight — Rinse in cold fresh water after every use and air dry before storing.
Give clothes room to breathe — Don’t overfill your wardrobe. Clothes crammed together crease, lose shape and trap moisture.

Special Care — By Category

Hoodies & Sweatshirts

Our men’s hoodies and women’s hoodies are built to last — but they need a little care to stay soft and hold their shape.

Hoodie care tips Wash inside out on a gentle 30°C cycle. Air dry where possible — tumble drying can cause pilling and shrinkage. Never iron directly on printed graphics.

T-Shirts & Tops

For our range of men’s t-shirts, women’s t-shirts and crop tops:

T-shirt care tips Wash inside out at 30–40°C. Remove immediately after washing and hang to dry. Iron on a low setting inside out to protect any print or graphic.

Trousers, Shorts & Bottoms

Whether it’s men’s trousers, women’s leggings, or shorts:

Bottoms care tips Turn inside out before washing. For leggings and stretch fabrics, always use a cold gentle cycle and air dry flat — heat breaks down elastic fibres.

Hats & Accessories

Our hats — including beanies, baseball caps and bucket hats — should generally be hand washed or spot cleaned only. Never put a structured cap in the washing machine — it will lose its shape.

Bags

For our tote bags, backpacks and fanny packs — spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap. Allow to air dry fully before use. Never machine wash bags with structured frames or zips.