Back to Care guide

Care guide: clothing

  • Cotton

  • Silk

  • Silver

  • Wool

  • Leather products

Cotton accessories

Cotton is a soft natural fiber. It is breathable and comfortable, and cotton products are easy to care for. They will retain their pleasant properties when you follow these simple instructions.

Washing

The proper washing method can be checked from the care label attached to the product. If there is a line under the washing symbol, it guides you to select a gentle washing cycle and a low spin speed. Also check the recommended load level for the washing cycle – washing too much laundry at once may impair cleaning and increase wrinkles.

Correct washing temperature

Follow the recommended washing temperature. Washing at too low a temperature may cause unwanted color transfer. It’s advisable to wash the products inside out to minimize the impact on the fabric’s surface and colors.

Strong colors

Some dye may come off cotton products, especially in the first few washes. Dark and brightly colored products should therefore be washed separately or with similar colors in plenty of water. Soaking is not recommended for hand-wash cotton garments.

After washing

A cotton product may shrink in the first wash. It’s advisable to straighten cotton garments after washing. Cotton is best ironed on the reverse side when slightly damp.

Silk accessories

Silk is a light natural fiber that repeats colors beautifully.

Assess the need for washing

A silk product may not always need washing; airing can help refresh it for the next use. Dirt weakens fibers and can leave permanent marks, so it’s best to wash a stained garment as soon as possible.

Correct washing

The proper washing method can be checked from the care label attached to the product. For silk products that can be washed, Marimekko recommends hand washing.

Hand wash

Wash your silk garment separately in plenty of cool water. Do not rub or wring the product during washing. Use a detergent that’s made for silk. It’s advisable to straighten silk products after washing.

After washing

The smoothness and shine of silk can be restored by ironing or steaming. Ironing and steaming also help the product to reshape, but a slight shrinkage after washing is normal for silk products.

Storing

Store your silk items folded and kept in an airy space. Silk may attract textile pests, so make sure that garments that are stored for a long time are clean.

Chemicals

Chemicals can leave marks on delicate silk products. Avoid spraying perfume, cosmetics, or hair products directly on the accessories or otherwise contacting them – allow the chemicals to dry before putting on silk accessories.

Silver accessories

Take good care of your silver jewelry and it will bring joy for decades to come.

We recommend washing Kalevala x Marimekko jewelry with warm water and mild soap if necessary, especially if it has been in contact with cosmetics (cream, perfume, hairspray etc.). Please note that you should never spray perfume or hairspray on your jewelry.

Over time, all silver jewelry darkens. Darkening can be prevented by regular cleaning and proper storage. Dark spots can be removed with a Kalevala cleaning cloth. After cleaning, we recommend washing the jewelry in mild soapy water so that the cleaning agent does not stain the clothes. Keeping the jewelry in its original packaging can also help maintain it. A Minigrip bag, for example, provides additional protection against the darkening effect of air impurities.

Wool accessories

Wool's best qualities include insulation performance, moisture absorbency, and elasticity. It is also an antibacterial material resistant to stains and seldom needs washing. To take the best possible care of your woolen products, always check the care label for exact instructions.

Maintenance after use

The best way to keep wool clean and fresh is to air it. Small stains on wool products should be removed immediately by brushing or gently cleaning the stain.

Washing

When it is time to wash your wool products, check the care label for the correct washing method. For wool products that can be washed, Marimekko recommends hand washing. Use a detergent that’s made for wool.

Hand wash

Wash the wool product separately in plenty of cool water. Do not rub or wring the product during washing. Please ensure that the water temperature remains cool during the rinses as well.

Drying

Remove excess water by rolling the wool product inside a towel. Reshape the product into its original shape while damp. Dry flat on a towel. To avoid shrinkage, do not dry wool products near a heat source.

Take care with the right tools

Surface changes, such as pilling, are typical for wool products with a soft surface. The Kent CP6 clothes brush is suitable for most wool products. Brushing helps remove pilling and smooth the product's surface. The Steamery Pilo 2 fabric shaver is suitable for smooth-surfaced textiles. Always test on an inconspicuous area first.

Storing

Wool products are best stored airily folded on a flat surface. Wool may attract textile pests, so make sure that garments stored for a long time are clean and protected from pests, e.g., in a storage box.

Leather products

Leather is a natural and incredibly durable material that will age beautifully with time. Leather needs care from time to time, and these simple instructions will help you take good care of your leather product. Also check the care label provided with your leather product.

Cleaning

Wipe dust and dirt from your leather product with a soft brush or damp cloth. When a thorough cleaning is needed, use a professional leather cleaning service.

Take care with the right tools

Check the condition of your leather product regularly. If wear or tear begins to appear, treat the product with a leather care gel. The gentle gel cleanses and conditions the surface of the leather product, giving it light protection.

Use

Leather is a natural material that typically experiences deformation during use. To keep your product in shape, avoid overfilling it. Folding leather straps and handles too tightly may damage them or leave marks.

Storing

Keep leather products away from direct sunlight and high heat.

Drying wet leather

If your leather product gets wet, allow it to air dry at room temperature. You can dab the item with a clean, light-colored cloth, but never dry leather with a hairdryer or in a hot place.

Explore more

Clothing

Home

Bags

Accessories