CARE & MAINTENANCE
CARE & MAINTENANCE
Sustainability is not just about materials and production methods, but also about creating products that last and therefore last as long as possible, so you simply don't need to buy new ones. First and foremost, you must be able to trust the quality, and at Elvang this is a matter of the heart. But good quality materials also last longer when you take care of them. Here is a guide on how to care for and maintain your Elvang products so that they remain beautiful and usable for as long as possible for the benefit and enjoyment of both you and your surroundings.
Good wool care
In general, it is not necessary to wash or clean wool as the material has self-cleaning properties and the fibres themselves have a unique structure that repels odours and dirt. The natural grease in the wool further protects the material by forming a film that prevents bacteria, for example, from penetrating, making frequent washing or dry cleaning unnecessary and saving the material from the wear and tear that washing and dry cleaning causes. All of this means that your wool products stay neat and clean for longer than would be the case with other materials.
However, accidents can still happen and you might spill something on your pillow or blanket. Should this happen, we recommend dry cleaning in most cases, which will minimise wear and tear on the product.
If your Elvang plaid, cushion or scarf has crease marks, you can use a steamer or steam iron to smooth it out again. Both should be set to wool, as the heat and steam should not be too hot and it can be beneficial to place a damp cloth between the iron and the wool material to avoid direct contact.
Avoid moths!
Wool can be attacked by moths, so you can get small pieces of cedar wood, which can be purchased from timber and DIY stores and placed in the place where you store your woollen products. Cedar is known as a natural fighter of unwelcome pests such as moths and is also available as rings or blocks specifically designed for moth control in cupboards and drawers. To keep the cedarwood effective against moths, it's a good idea to dab them with concentrated cedarwood oil every three months, which will keep the scent - and thus the effect - going.
Also, remember to hang your throw or woollen pillow out for airing periodically, preferably in frosty weather. This will remove any odour, but it will also prevent moth infestation. If you suspect that your woollen products are infested with moths, you can initially freeze them at minus 18 degrees for at least three days, which will kill the infestation. If the infestation is extensive, you may need professional assistance from an exterminator.
Keep your pillow filling clean
All our pillows come with fillings that can be washed at 60 degrees and regain their fullness when tumble dried. We only use fillings made of fine, small flakes of synthetic fibres that are hypoallergenic.
Washing cotton and linen blends
Most cotton and linen can be washed at 30°C to get completely clean, which is an advantage because high temperatures can wear down the colour of the material. Therefore, a general washing rule for cotton and linen textiles should be to wash at as low a temperature as possible.
We always recommend drying your textiles in the air, preferably outside, and not in the tumble dryer. This saves resources and helps keep the material beautiful for longer, as tumble drying wears out both the colour and the fibres themselves. As a result, textiles lose their lustre and break more easily in the long term.