We have put together a couple of general must-follow tips and tricks to take good care of your Kultivate item(s) and prolong the life of your favorite style(s):
+ First and foremost, always check and follow the care label instructions carefully to ensure you treat your Kultivate item as you should.
+ Some dying techniques are more resistant to bleeding and fading than others. We place warning signs on the labels of Kultivate styles that are at risk of running and bleeding in the wash.
+ Only (machine) wash your Kultivate item when needed. Some items need less frequent cleanings than others. Please be mindful about it. It’s better for your clothes AND the environment.
+ Make sure you remove any detachable details and accessories prior to any washing. If you cannot remove it, you can use a laundry bag to wash your Kultivate item(s).
+ Always wash your Kultivate items inside out to keep them looking newer longer. We also recommend not to use any fabric softener to prevent stains and discoloring overtime.
+ Keep your garments far away from the dryer. You simply don’t need it. Just let your Kultivate items line dry (or use a drying rack) in their natural shape.
Fabric specific care instructions
Below you’ll find fabric specific instructions for all Kultivate styles we currently have in our collection. Consider these your non-obligatory, yet highly recommended, washing tips and tricks.
More questions? Missing something? Send us an email at Kultivate@uspfashion.com
+ Cotton
One of the reasons why cotton is so popular is that it’s low maintenance. This all-time favorite fabric is fully machine-washable and if worn and treated with care, it will last for a long time. On that note, always lay your cotton sweater flat on a drying rack or a towel. Avoid hanging as this may cause stretching and bumps.
+ Denim
Wash jeans inside out to stop them from fading. Take them out of the washing machine as soon as possible after the program has ended to avoid creasing. Denim’s characteristic look is the result of a special dyeing method that can result in dry-bleeding, where small pigment particles remain on the surface and can rub off. This can be lessened by washing your new jeans in cold water a couple of times before you put them on.
+ Leather & Suede
Leather and suede are natural materials and can be sensitive. So make sure to keep them away from humidity, heat and chemicals. Before wearing your leather Kultivate item, don’t forget to weatherproof it with a teeny tiny spritz of leather protectant. It also needs to be conditioned every once in a while to keep it soft and supple. When wet allow to dry naturally at a normal room temperature and away from direct heat. To get rid of light stains, wipe the garment with a slightly damp cloth. If this doesn’t work, consider taking your leather or suede piece to a professional cleaning service. This does require specialist knowledge though. So make sure you bring your pieces to a dry cleaner who specializes in leather goods.
+ Raincoats
We recommend to carefully read and follow the care label instructions as each raincoat comes with its own guidelines. In general, you can quickly clean light stains with a kitchen towel and hot soapy water. When wet allow to dry naturally at a normal room temperature and away from direct heat. Never put your rain coat in a dryer.
+ Polyester
Polyester is a super-resistant and ultra-versatile fiber. It’s also super low-maintenance and, hooray, resistant to stretching, shrinking and wrinkles. Easily washed, quickly dried. It does have a tendency to pill. If this happens, remove pills with a fabric comb or a battery-operated pill remover to shave knotted fibers away from the surface of your Kultivate item.
+ Viscose
Viscose is a gentle fabric that may shrink during washing. But the good news is that most centimeters easily come back when you iron it with hot steam into shape and length. Simply wearing your Kultivate item helps too. Also, be extra careful to pull and twist your garment when it’s still wet as this can cause permanent stretch out.
+ Swimwear
After a swim, rinse your swim short in cold water to remove salt or chlorine. Preferably wash it by hand with a gentle detergent. If you do wash your swimwear in the machine, use a laundry bag and make sure to go with a hand wash setting and a mild detergent. Remove detachable cords prior to any washing and close velcro closings. Don’t let it dry in direct sunlight to preserve the color. Last but not least: watch out for rough surfaces such as pool corners and slides since these might scratch your favorite swim short.
+ Wool
As always, let the care label be your guide. Wool is naturally stain, crease and odor resistant so it requires less washing. Try airing and spot cleaning first. Good for you, good for your garment and good for the planet. When the time has come to really wash your woolen Kultivate item, you can either wash it in a washing machine on a special wool or hand wash cycle or, even better, wash it by hand. In any case use a gentle detergent.
Don’t wring woolen clothes and always dry them flat to avoid stretching the wool fibers. Ironing after washing helps to restore the material’s natural sheen. We recommend to use a pressing cloth and the wool setting on good quality steam iron. Furthermore, wool has a tendency to pill. If this happens, remove pills with a special fabric comb or a battery operated pill remover to shave knotted fibers away from the surface of your Kultivate item. Chunky knits should be reshaped and dried lying flat to maintain their original shape.