Overview

Care instructions

3 Frequently Asked Questions about Washing Laundry

How do you wash properly?

It is best to divide the washing process into three phases: preparation , washing and drying .

1. Preparation:

Sort your laundry by color, material, and recommended washing temperature. This will prevent color bleeding and protect delicate fabrics.

2. The washing cycle:

Choose the appropriate wash program and detergent. In most cases, a 40-degree wash is perfectly sufficient to remove light to medium soiling. Modern detergents clean effectively even at low temperatures. Remember: as cold as possible, as hot as necessary. This protects your clothes, your washing machine – and the environment.

3. After washing – drying:

A glance at the care label will tell you whether the garment can be tumble dried or is better left to air dry – hanging or flat. Air drying is not only gentler on the fabric, but also the more environmentally friendly option.

How should laundry be separated?

Before putting your laundry in the washing machine, it's worth taking a quick look at the care label – and sorting it properly. Separating your laundry correctly protects it from shrinkage, color transfer, and premature wear and tear. This way, your favorite items stay beautiful and wearable for longer. The best way to do this is in three steps:

1. Sort by type of textile:

Different materials require different care. Therefore, separate your laundry into natural fibers (such as cotton and linen), synthetic fibers, blends, and delicate fabrics like wool or silk. It's best to place delicate textiles like silk or lace in a mesh laundry bag – this protects them from friction and fraying.

2. Separate according to washing temperature:

Next, sort the laundry according to the recommended temperature. The care instructions on the label provide reliable guidance: from hand washing or cold washing to 30, 40, 60, and even 90 degrees. For most everyday clothes, a 40-degree wash cycle is sufficient – ​​energy-saving and gentle on fabrics.

3. Sort by color:

Finally, separate your laundry by color. Light colors, whites, dark colors, reds, and coloreds should each be washed separately. New, highly pigmented clothing—like dark jeans—also absolutely needs its own wash to prevent color bleeding.

At what temperature should I wash my laundry?

What temperature is right for which type of laundry?

That depends on the specific material. You can find an overview in the "Textile Qualities" section below.


Are you unsure or do you have questions?

We're happy to advise you!

📞 Phone: 0761 6800 2289

📧 Email: info@filotimo-concept.de

Different textile qualities

Cotton
  • Wash:
    Machine wash up to 60°C (white cotton), colored cotton
    Ideally, only up to 40°C, however, we recommend a maximum of 30°C.
  • Dryer:
    Possible, but it may shrink – better to air dry.
  • Iron:
    High temperatures (up to 200 °C), ideally slightly humid
  • Tip:
    Do not overload to protect the fibers.
viscose
  • Wash:
    Gentle wash cycle at max. 30°C, always turn inside out; however, we recommend a maximum of 20°C for the hand wash program.
  • Dryer:
    Not suitable – viscose shrinks quickly.
  • Iron:
    Use low heat (max. 110 °C), ideally with a cloth in between.
  • Tip:
    Reshape after washing, as viscose tends to warp easily.
Spandex / Elastane / Lycra
  • Wash:
    Delicate wash at 30°C, no fabric softener
  • Dryer:
    It's best to avoid this, as high heat destroys elasticity.
  • Iron:
    Usually not necessary, otherwise very low temperature
  • Tip:
    Do not wring out the garment, but squeeze it out.
Nylon (Polyamide)
  • Wash:
    Max. 40°C on gentle cycle
  • Dryer:
    Mostly unsuitable – better to air dry
  • Iron:
    At low temperatures, rarely needed
  • Tip:
    Wash separately, as nylon is sensitive to heat.
Lurex (metallic yarn content)
  • Wash:
    Hand wash only or cold delicate wash in a mesh bag; however, we recommend a maximum of 20°C in the hand wash cycle.
  • Dryer:
    Not suitable – high heat will damage the yarn
  • Iron:
    Usually not possible, as the metallic shine is lost.
  • Tip:
    Do not rub or wring – shine may come off.
Tencel (Lyocell)
  • Wash:
    Delicate wash at max. 30°C, use liquid detergent for delicates, however we recommend max. 20°C in the hand wash program.
  • Dryer:
    Not recommended – can damage the fibers
  • Iron:
    Low to medium heat, preferably humid
  • Tip:
    Very environmentally friendly, but delicate – do not over-care for it.
Bamboo (mostly processed into viscose)
  • Wash:
    Like viscose – cold or max. 30°C, delicate wash
  • Dryer:
    Do not use – shrinks badly
  • Iron:
    Low temperature, damp or with a cloth
  • Tip:
    Highly absorbent – ​​pay attention to drying time when choosing towels
leather
  • Wash:
    Do not wash – only special leather cleaning required
  • Dryer:
    Never
  • Iron:
    Not directly – at most with a cloth and very low heat.
  • Tip:
    Treat regularly with leather care products, protect from sun and moisture.

RAW DENIM JEANS

We recommend wearing the jeans for as long as possible before washing them for the first time. This helps retain the intense, deep blue color, and typical wear and tear will become more pronounced over time. This natural process gives the jeans their individual patina – also known as "fade" – and makes each pair unique.

If you don't want to wear your jeans completely untreated, you can soak them in cold to lukewarm water (max. 30°C) for about 10–20 minutes before wearing them for the first time. Make sure the jeans are completely submerged. Then simply hang them up while still wet and let them air dry. Even though drying takes a little longer, you should avoid using a tumble dryer or direct heat sources like radiators.

A recommendation from us…

…is to not wash the jeans at all , but instead have them dry cleaned . The big advantage: The jeans won't shrink, and over time they develop particularly beautiful signs of wear – the so-called " patina " or " fading " – which gives each pair of jeans its own unique character.

For everyday use, it's often enough to simply hang your jeans out on the balcony overnight to air them out – especially after a long night or a pub crawl. What should absolutely be avoided: overzealous roommates with a laundry urge! There's hardly anything worse than coming home to find your new denim project has been washed at 60 degrees and on a full spin cycle along with the rest of the laundry. Rumor has it that tears have been shed in such moments.

Of course, there are many philosophies when it comes to caring for jeans – everyone has to find their own way. Our tips are recommendations, not rules. Denim is a natural product, and every brand has its own secrets – from the selection of cotton to the dyeing process and the weaving technique. But the basic principle is: wear your jeans as often and for as long as possible – ideally at least six months – before you think about washing them.

All Fit & Craft jeans in our range are made from high-quality selvedge denim . This means the fabric was woven on traditional, old looms and features distinctive selvedges that – depending on the manufacturer – come in different colors and widths. A quality feature you can see and feel.

"Those who don't want to wear their jeans completely untreated…"

Answer

The first machine wash

The first machine wash

If at all, we recommend waiting at least 6 months before machine washing. When doing so, you should:

  1. Wash inside out
  2. at max. 40 °C
  3. without detergent
  4. without spin cycle

This way you avoid wash streaks and retain the shape and color for as long as possible.

Shrink to Fit – What you should know

"Shrink to fit"

Jeans labelled as "shrink to fit" denim are completely untreated, which means that the pants will shrink by about 10% upon first contact with water, i.e., about one size in the waist and about 7-10 cm in length.
For example: a size 33x36 becomes a size 32x34 after the first contact with water.
Regarding "shrink to fit," we strongly recommend soaking the jeans in lukewarm water for about 10-20 minutes before wearing them for the first time, as described above, to allow them to shrink slightly. Afterward, they can ideally be worn for 6 months. Alternatively, you can buy "shrink to fit" jeans that fit perfectly and not wash them at all. If you choose this option, dry cleaning is available as described above.

Pre-shrunk (sanforized)

Sanforized denim is made by pre-treating the fabric with heat before cutting, so the jeans shrink very little or not at all when worn. However, the amount of shrinkage can still vary slightly depending on the manufacturer.

Indigo-treated fabrics

Care instructions for indigo-dyed clothing

Indigo is a fascinating but delicate dye – and that's precisely what makes indigo-dyed fabrics so special. To ensure you enjoy your clothing for a long time and avoid unwanted discoloration, please follow these tips:


Indigo can – especially initially – transfer color to lighter fabrics. This also applies when wearing it.


Rain, sweat, or wet hands can cause the paint to dissolve particularly easily.


Always turn inside out and clean only with neutral detergent.


Avoid hand washing, spinning and tumble drying if possible.


Turn inside out and let it air dry in a shady place – away from direct sunlight or strong artificial light.


Damp fabric can oxidize when in contact with metal and cause stains.


Heat and light can change the color tone.


Direct sunlight or fluorescent light can cause visible color changes.


Soaps, acids, or cleaning agents can also affect the color.

Indigo is alive, it changes – and that's exactly what gives each piece its own personal touch.

Cotton T-shirt with print

How should I wash the T-shirt?

Wash the T-shirt at a maximum of 30°C on a gentle cycle. Turn it inside out before washing to protect the print.

Can I put the T-shirt in the dryer?

No , please do not put it in the dryer. High temperatures can damage the print and cause the shirt to shrink. Air drying is recommended – ideally on a hanger or lying flat.

May I iron the T-shirt?

Yes, but not directly on the print!

Turn the shirt inside out or place a thin cloth over the print. Use the lowest setting without steam.

Can I have the T-shirt dry cleaned?

No. Dry cleaning can damage the print and fibers. Use only normal household washing .

Which detergents are suitable?

Use a mild detergent without bleach or optical brighteners. These could cause the colors to fade and damage the print.

What to do about stains.

Please do not use harsh stain removers on the print. Gently dab the stain with water and mild detergent.

Does the print fade over time?

Some fading is normal for printed textiles. With proper care (cold wash, no rubbing, no ironing on the print) the print will stay beautiful for a long time .

What's the best way to store the shirt?

Ideally, store it hanging or folded in a dry place. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight – this protects the colors and print.