The Musk Journal
How to Care for Cotton and Embroidered Clothing (So It Lasts)
A pure cotton top can last for years if it's cared for properly — or it can lose its shape and colour within a few washes if it isn't. The difference usually comes down to a handful of small habits, especially when embroidery or delicate detailing is involved.
Washing
Wash cotton in cold water wherever possible. Hot water is the biggest cause of shrinkage and colour fading in natural fabrics — the fibres contract more in heat, and dyes bleed faster too. If you're using a machine, a gentle or normal cycle is fine for plain cotton; save the delicate cycle for anything with embroidery, lace or pleats.
Turn embroidered pieces inside out before washing. This protects the threadwork from friction against other clothes or the drum of the machine, which is the most common way embroidery starts to fray or loosen over time.
Wash new coloured or printed pieces separately for the first two or three washes. Natural dyes and digital prints tend to release a small amount of excess colour early on, and washing a new piece alongside lighter garments is the most common way colour transfer happens.
Detergent and bleach
Skip bleach entirely on cotton, even white cotton. It weakens the fibres over time and can yellow the fabric rather than keeping it bright. A mild detergent without added brighteners is the safer long-term choice, especially for coloured or printed pieces.
Fabric softener is worth using sparingly, if at all, on embroidered pieces — it can build up on threadwork over repeated washes and dull the texture. For plain cotton it's generally fine in small amounts.
Drying
Dry cotton in shade rather than direct, harsh sunlight. Sun fades colour faster than almost anything else, particularly on digital prints and dyed fabrics. Shade-drying takes slightly longer but keeps colours looking new for much longer. Avoid wringing embroidered pieces to remove water — press the water out gently instead, or the stitching can distort.
Lay heavier embroidered or pleated pieces flat to dry rather than hanging them wet. Wet fabric is heavier and can stretch out of shape under its own weight if left hanging, especially around the shoulders.
Ironing
For embroidered garments, iron on the reverse side of the fabric, not directly over the stitching. Direct heat on embroidery threads can flatten or melt certain thread types, especially metallic or synthetic threads used in decorative work. A pressing cloth between the iron and the fabric adds an extra layer of protection if you're unsure.
Iron cotton while it's still slightly damp if possible — it presses out wrinkles far more easily than fully dry fabric and needs less heat to do it, which is gentler on the fibres over time.
Why cotton sometimes shrinks on the first wash
This is completely normal and not a defect. Cotton fibres relax and settle slightly the first time they're washed, which is why a lot of cotton clothing feels a touch looser after that first wash compared to fresh off the shelf. Washing cold and drying in shade — rather than a hot dryer — keeps this shrinkage minimal.
Dealing with stains
Treat stains as soon as possible rather than letting them set through a full wash cycle — cold water and a gentle dab (not a hard scrub, which can damage the weave) usually lifts fresh stains far more easily than trying to remove a set-in one later. For embroidered areas, always test any stain remover on an inside seam first, since some treatments can affect thread colour.
Storing between wears
Hang structured pieces like shirts to keep their shape, and fold soft, loosely woven tunics rather than hanging them, since hanging can stretch the shoulders over time. Keeping embroidered pieces away from rough fabrics in storage also helps prevent snagging.
Every product on themusk.in has its specific wash care instructions listed on the product page — these general guidelines cover the fabrics we use most, but always check the individual garment first.