Care Guide
At Cave Canem, we design our products with quality, comfort, and durability in mind, selecting premium materials typically used for human apparel. To maintain their appearance and longevity, proper care is essential.
Each product comes with a specific care label to help you preserve its quality—please always refer to the care label for recommended washing temperatures and methods. Use mild detergents and avoid those with bleach or strong alkaline ingredients, as these can damage the fabric.
This guide will help you identify some additional ways to maintain your items, including best practices for using, washing, and storing, and handling our range of materials:
Washing:
Gently hand wash wool items in cool water (below 30°C / 86°F) using a wool-specific or mild detergent. Swish gently—avoid wringing or rubbing, as wool fibers can stretch or felt.
If machine-washing is essential, use a gentle cycle with cold water and place the wool item inside a mesh laundry bag to prevent snagging or stretching. Select a wool or delicate cycle, if available.
Detergent:
Choose a gentle, wool-safe detergent that is free of bleach or strong alkaline ingredients, as these can weaken wool fibers. Wool-specific detergents are recommended, as they protect the lanolin in the fibers, keeping the wool soft and durable.
Drying:
Avoid heat. Wool should never be tumble-dried, as heat can cause shrinkage and damage.
Ironing and Steaming:
Wool doesn’t usually require ironing, but if it’s necessary, use a low heat setting and press lightly with a cloth between the iron and the fabric. Alternatively, you can use a steamer to freshen up the wool without direct contact.
General Maintenance:
Pilling is natural with wool. Use a fabric shaver to gently remove pills, keeping the wool smooth without damaging fibers.
Wool has natural odor-resistant qualities, so airing it out between uses can often replace washing and prolong the garment’s life.
Washing:
Cotton is best washed in cool to warm water (around 30-40°C / 86-104°F). Hot water can cause cotton to shrink and fade over time, especially for darker colors.
Separate whites, darks, and colors to avoid color bleeding. Cotton tends to absorb dyes easily, so washing similar colors together helps maintain their original shade.
Detergent:
Choose a mild detergent without bleach for most cotton items. If you’re washing whites, a detergent with oxygen bleach can help keep them bright.
Fabric softeners can build up on cotton fibers over time, reducing absorbency and soft feel. If you want extra softness, consider adding a bit of white vinegar to the rinse cycle.
Drying:
Cotton can shrink in high heat, so tumble-dry on a low to medium setting or air dry if possible. For cotton clothes that are prone to shrinking, the safest option is to lay them flat to dry. To avoid wrinkles, take cotton items out of the dryer as soon as they’re dry. Give them a quick shake, then lay flat or hang to help keep their shape.
Ironing:
Cotton loves steam! Use a high heat setting and steam to get out wrinkles quickly. If ironing dark colors, turn the garment inside out to prevent shine or fade. For stubborn wrinkles, lightly spritz cotton with water before ironing for a smoother finish.
Washing:
If machine washing is allowed, use a gentle cycle with cold water. Cold water helps prevent shrinkage, color fading, and fabric damage. Place the quilted fabric in a mesh laundry bag to protect the stitching. Use a gentle detergent that’s free of bleach or strong chemicals, as these can damage both nylon and polyester. Avoid fabric softeners, which can coat the fibers and reduce breathability.
Drying:
Air drying is recommended to protect the fabric and padding, but if using a dryer, select a low or no-heat setting to prevent melting or damage to synthetic fibers.
When tumble drying, add dryer balls or clean tennis balls to help fluff up the quilt and prevent clumping of the padding.
After washing, gently press out excess water rather than wringing, which can distort the quilted stitching and padding.
Ironing:
Quilted fabric typically don’t require ironing. However, if wrinkles are a concern, use a cool iron with a pressing cloth to avoid direct contact with the fabric. Alternatively, steaming from a safe distance is a better option to smooth out wrinkles without risking heat damage.
If ironing is necessary, avoid the quilting seams, as too much pressure can flatten the quilted texture and reduce insulation.
Wipe the leather product with a soft, damp cloth to remove dirt and oils that may accumulate. Avoid soaking, as excessive moisture can damage leather. For more thorough cleaning, use a leather cleaner or a mild soap (such as saddle soap) diluted in water. Apply a small amount with a soft cloth, gently rubbing it into the leather. Wipe off any excess product with a damp cloth, and let it air dry.
Every 3-6 months, condition your leather product to keep the leather soft and prevent cracking. Use a small amount of leather conditioner on a cloth and rub it into the leather, allowing it to absorb fully. Wipe away any excess and let it dry. Always test conditioner on a small, hidden area first to ensure it doesn’t alter the color or texture.
Keep Away from Chemicals: Harsh chemicals, oils, and perfumes can damage leather. Avoid contact with these substances to prevent stains and degradation.
It is recommended to store the leather product in a cool, dry place and avoid direct sunlight.
Washing:
Hand Wash Recommended: If possible, gently hand wash faux fur in cold water with a small amount of mild detergent. Soak it lightly, then gently swish to clean. Avoid wringing or twisting.
Machine Wash (if permitted): If machine washing is allowed, use a gentle or delicate cycle with cold water. Place the faux fur in a mesh laundry bag to protect it from agitation, which can tangle and mat the fibers.
Mild Detergent Only: Use a gentle detergent without bleach or fabric softener, as these can degrade the faux fur’s fibers and cause stiffness.
Drying:
Lay faux fur flat on a clean, dry towel and let it air dry. Gently reshape as it dries to maintain its form. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can cause fading and brittleness.
Do not tumble dry faux fur. Heat can melt or deform the synthetic fibers, resulting in a matted and damaged appearance.
Brushing:
After washing and drying, gently brush the faux fur with a soft-bristle pet brush or a wide-tooth comb. This will detangle any matted fibers and restore the fur’s fluffiness.
Always brush in the direction the fur naturally lays to avoid pulling or damaging the fibers.
Ironing and Steaming:
Faux fur should NEVER be ironed. High heat can melt the fibers and cause permanent damage. If wrinkles need to be removed, use a handheld steamer from a safe distance. Lightly steam to relax the fibers, but do not let the steamer touch the faux fur directly.
Washing:
Machine wash in cold water on a gentle cycle. Cold water helps maintain the DWR coating and prevents damage to the nylon fibers. Use a gentle, non-abrasive detergent that doesn’t contain bleach or fabric softeners. Avoid fabric softeners, as they can clog the DWR treatment, reducing water repellency.
Frequent washing can wear down the DWR coating. Wash only when necessary to keep the water-resistant finish lasting longer.
Drying:
Tumble dry on a low setting, as moderate heat can help reactivate the DWR finish. Alternatively, air drying is also an option, but tumble drying is often recommended to maintain water repellency.
High temperatures can damage the nylon and reduce the effectiveness of the DWR coating, so stick to low or medium heat if tumble drying.
Reapplying DWR Treatment:
DWR is a polymer coating that increases surface tension and helps water to bead and roll off. Over time, the DWR treatment may wear off. If you notice water no longer beads up on the fabric, it may be time to reapply a DWR spray. Spray-on DWR treatments are available at outdoor and specialty stores—simply follow the product instructions.
After applying a DWR spray, let the item dry completely. Tumble drying on low can help set the new coating and ensure even application.
Ironing:
Nylon is sensitive to high heat, so avoid ironing. If absolutely necessary, use a low heat setting with a pressing cloth between the iron and fabric.
Use a steamer from a safe distance to gently remove wrinkles, but be cautious with heat as it can affect the DWR finish.
Extra Tips:
For small spots, use a damp cloth and mild detergent rather than washing the entire item, helping to preserve the DWR treatment. Oils, sunscreen, and harsh chemicals can break down the DWR treatment. Try to avoid direct contact with these substances on DWR-treated nylon.