The COS Guide to Product Care

Everything in our collection is crafted with longevity in mind. Here we share tips on how to make your pieces last as long as they were designed to. You can also explore a selection of handpicked products that help take care of your clothes. shop care products

Explore materials

linen denim silk cashmere cotton wool leather

Linen

Linen is a natural fabric, spun from the fibres of the flax plant. These long fibres make it resilient, able hold its shape for longer and non-pilling. The strands are thicker than cotton, giving linen its distinctive texture. Characterised by an airy feel and light, breathable weave, linen can be worn next to the skin. Quick to dry and comfortable to wear, its ideal for travel or the summer months.

The benefits of linen:

AIRY LIGHTWEIGHT BREEZY BREATHABLE WOVEN TEXTURED

How to wash linen and make it last longer:

• Linen pieces can be hung to ventilate between wears, instead of being washed each time. • Opt to machine wash with a gentle detergent and a low spin at 30°C – high temperatures can weaken the fibres and affect dyes. Alternatively, hand wash and rinse with lukewarm water. • Tumble drying can shrink or damage linen pieces so it’s best to hang or lie flat and air dry. • Take care not to use thin wire hangers or clips which could leave impressions or pull the shoulders out of shape.

Denim

Denim is a fabric defined by its twill structure which is exceptionally durable. Predominantly made from cotton, denims can range from 100% cotton to blends which allow them to stretch. Originating in workwear as far back as the 17th century, today this classic, hardwearing cloth is a staple in many wardrobes.

The benefits of denim:

CLASSIC CASUAL HARDWEARING VERSATILE EVERYDAY

How to wash denim and make it last longer:

• There’s no need to wash denim items after every use – hang them up to ventilate between wears. • Surface dirt can be spot cleaned with a damp cloth or gently brushed. • When it does come to washing your denim, hand or gentle machine wash pieces at a cool temperature with a gentle detergent to prevent the dye from running. • To preserve the colour, it’s best to wash denim inside-out. • Hang to air dry, as a tumble dryer could cause shrinkage. The weight of the denim will help to pull out any creases. Avoid using an iron as heat can weaken the fibres.

Silk

Silk’s lustrous quality comes from the prism-like structure of its protein fibre, which reflects light. These low density fibres are spun into a natural, lightweight, breathable yarn that can be worn against the skin. Silk textiles often have fluid, delicate qualities but they are also surprisingly strong, resistant to abrasion and hold their shape well. A non-conductor of heat, silk can keep you cool in summer and warm in winter.

The benefits of silk:

FINE DELICATE FLUID DRAPEY ELEGANT LIGHT-CATCHING

How to wash silk and make it last longer:

• Rather than washing after every wear, silk garments can be hung to ventilate, away from direct sunlight, which can damage the colour. • It’s best to hand wash with a gentle shampoo or detergent in lukewarm water without soaking, which can release some dye. Rinse without wringing, then blot with a towel. • If you opt to use a machine, use the gentle cycle, a low spin and a small amount of detergent. A mesh bag can help protect silk garments from snagging or twisting too much. • To dry, lie heavier items on a towel and iron creases on the lowest temperature, or steam them.

Cashmere

Cashmere is sourced from goats of the Mongolian Plateau who have two layers of insulating fleece. The softer layer is combed and gathered in the warmer season and has been spun into yarn for centuries. One of the only fibres known to be hollow, cashmere feels lightweight yet warm and cosy. This tactile yarn has an unmistakable softness and a light, springy feel due to the uniquely wavy shape of its fine strands.

The benefits of cashmere:

ULTRA-SOFT FINE LUXURIOUS COSY WARM

How to wash cashmere and make it last longer:

• Pilling is a natural occurrence caused by friction and is easily remedied. Lay your garment flat and gently sweep it with a cashmere comb – in time this will strengthen the fibres and lead to less pilling. • Cashmere can be aired between wears rather than washed every time. • When it does come to washing, use a small amount of delicate detergent or shampoo on a gentle machine cycle at a low temperature and low spin, or hand wash and rinse the garment. • Squeeze out excess water, without twisting, before lying flat to dry on a towel. • Hanging can alter the shape of knitted pieces, so fold into a drawer when completely dry or use a zipped bag for longer period of storage, such as during the summer months.

Cotton

Cotton is a natural fibre that comes from the boll of a cotton plant, and it can be spun into a variety of textiles from soft jersey to crisp poplin. Whatever form it takes, cotton is always comfortable – it’s breathable and can be worn against the skin. Cotton conducts heat and allows it to release, which can help you maintain a comfortable temperature.

The benefits of cotton:

VERSATILE CRISP SOFT EVERYDAY COMFORTABLE FLEXIBLE

How to wash cotton and make it last longer:

• Cotton can be hand or machine washed. It can often be washed at higher temperatures but to prevent garments from shrinking and to keep them looking their best for longer, 30°C is usually the best option. • Any stains can be pre-treated before washing by dabbing a small amount of stain remover on the area, however it’s best to patch test on an inside seam to check the dye won’t be affected, especially for darker colours. • More delicate items can be placed in a mesh bag to help prevent snagging or twisting during machine cycles. • As heat can damage the fibres and cause shrinkage, it’s best to hang cotton pieces out to dry rather than tumble dry them.

Merino

Merino is a wool that comes from the Merino sheep, an ancient breed that survives harsh winters and warm summers thanks to its cosy fleece. The fibres have a wavelike structure which not only makes them resilient but allows merino garments to hold their shape. These fine fibres mean it is also soft and breathable enough to wear next to the skin. It’s lighter than other wools yet strong and warming. Merino’s thermoregulating properties will help insulate you in colder months and keep you cool in summer.

The benefits of merino:

LIGHTWEIGHT INSULATING THERMOREGULATING SOFT

How to wash merino and make it last longer:

• There’s no need to wash merino wool after every wear – with the presence of lanolin naturally in the fibre, it is both antibacterial and odour-resistant which means garments only need to be hung and ventilated instead. • When you do wash merino, opt for a gentle machine cycle on a low spin. 30°C is often best, or a hand wash. • A gentle wool shampoo or detergent will help merino last for longer. We don’t recommend fabric softener, as this can coat the fibres and make them less breathable. • It’s best to air dry merino pieces – the heat from tumble driers can damage the fibres. • Pilling will occur naturally with wear and can be easily remedied with gentle use of a pilling comb or a fabric shaver.

Wool

Wool is made by spinning fibres of animal fleece, most commonly from sheep, when their thick winter coats are shorn in warmer months. The dense, fuzzy yarn creates a natural barrier to wind and even offers some water resistance. The crimped structure of the fibres creates tiny pockets of air, making wool breathable so you don’t get too hot or too cold. This zigzag-like structure also gives wool an elastic quality – so garments can return to their natural shape.

The benefits of wool:

WARM INSULATING THERMOREGULATING SOFT BREATHABLE

How to wash wool and make it last longer:

• The natural protective coating of wool fibres makes it resistant to dirt and dust, so there’s no need to wash wool garments after each wear – hang to ventilate them instead. • Pills occur naturally with friction and can be easily removed with a pilling comb or a fabric shaver. • The alkaline solutions in detergents can affect the dye in wool and also weaken the fibres so use a gentle detergent to hand wash or use a gentle machine cycle at 30°C or less. • Use a low spin or better yet, no spin and squeeze out the water, without wringing. • Dry knitted woollens flat on a towel to prevent them from stretching out of shape. • It’s best to store knitted wool pieces folded and flat, once they have been aired.

Leather

Leather is a supple, flexible material, made from a tanned hide with a smooth, flat surface. It comes in all kinds of forms, from butter-soft leathers to hard-wearing ones. Durable by nature, leather is resistant to damage – though the softer the leather the easier it may scratch. With time and wear, leather items will develop a patina and unique character.

The benefits of leather:

SMOOTH SOFT SUPPLE FLEXIBLE RESILIENT DURABLE

How to clean leather and make it last longer:

• Leather can be spot cleaned with a slightly damp cloth. • Leather benefits from being conditioned with a specialist leather balm. Apply a small amount with a cloth and buff gently. • Be careful with sharp items like keys that could scratch softer leathers. • Hang leather garments to ventilate between wears, avoiding direct sunlight. • When travelling and storing, roll leather garments to avoid fold creases. • Wooden shoe trees help keep the shape and slow down the creasing that happens with wear.