Care for your clothes

Washing instructions

For the sake of the environment and your clothes, we would like to share with you some garment care and laundry advice.

Sorting

Sort garments by colour and given washing temperatures. A coloured garment that’s meant to be washed hot can release excess dye if washed warm or by hand. It isn’t always better to choose a lower washing temperature.

Detergent

Detergent with an eco-label is less harmful to the environment.

Do not use too much! Too much detergent does not give better results. The excess may remain in the clothes and cause skin irritation. Measure out the detergent according to the instructions on the packet. It’s important to know whether the water in your area is hard (use more detergent) or soft (use less detergent). Call your local water authority if you’re not sure. Do not use detergent with optical whitening or bleaching agents on coloured garments, this is because the colours may fade.

Fabric softener

Fabric softener is not only an unnecessary expense; it also contributes to needless environmental impact.

Fill your washing machine!

It is always best to fill your washing machine. If you need to wash small quantities, it is particularly important to use an energy-saving cycle, which most modern washing machines have.

Wash temperature

Sort your clothes by colour and always follow the temperature instructions on the garments. The dye in a coloured garment that is supposed to be washed in hot water could run if it is washed in warm water or by hand. It is not always better to select a lower temperature.

Hand wash only

Dissolve the detergent carefully in the water before you add the garment. Avoid soaking. Squeeze the garment in the water, don't rub or wring. Rinse carefully.

Dry-cleaning

For some of our garments we recommend dry-cleaning. The reason for this may be that the clothes contain details or materials such as shoulder pads, fur collars or acetate linings that may discolour or shrink if washed in water. Leather and suede garments should always be cleaned by a leather specialist.

Drying

To maintain the garment's original look it is important to notice whether it can be tumble dried or not. Never tumble dry garments that cannot take tumble-drying! If you choose to dry your garments in a drying cupboard you have to make sure that the temperature does not exceed the one given on the care label. Heavy knits should be reshaped and dried flat.

Drying your clothes in a tumble dryer or drying cupboard uses a lot of energy. It is therefore important to spin your clothes thoroughly before drying them. It is best to dry your clothes at room temperature if possible.

Give your clothes away!

When you no longer want your clothes, donate them to an organisation that gives them to the needy. This prolongs the life of the clothes.

Good advice

Your clothes will last longer if you treat them the right way. Here's some good advice on how to best take care of a few selected garments and materials.

Denim

Denim is given its characteristic look through a special dying method. Therefore tiny excess dye may be left on the surface and may cause dryrubbing. Wash your jeans inside out to maintain the colour and to avoid white creases.

Details

Remove detachable details and close zippers and velcros before washing. Wash delicate items such as nylons in a washing bag.

Down jackets

Use tennis balls in the dryer when you're drying your down garment and you'll get an even division of the down.

Heavy knits

Heavy knits should be dried flat to maintain their original shape.

Linen

Linen is a natural material that easily shrinks when wet. You'll get the original shape back through ironing the garment on maximum heat while damp. To maintain the lustre iron the garment on the inside out.

Rain clothes

Rain clothes should be hangdried. If you still choose to dry them in an airing cupboard you have to do this on a very low temperature.

Viscose

Viscose is a natural material that easily shrinks when wet. You'll get the original shape back through ironing the garment while damp.

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Washing

Maximum temperature 60°C. Normal spin cycle.

Maximum temperature 60°C. Slow spin cycle.

Maximum temperature 40°C. Normal spin cycle.

Maximum temperature 40°C. Slow spin cycle.

Maximum temperature 30°C. Slow spin cycle. If you do not have this symbol on your washing machine we recommend that you handwash the garment.

Dissolve the detergent carefully in the water (35°C - 40°C) before you add the garment. Avoid soaking. Squeeze the garment in the water, don't rub or wring. Rinse carefully.

Do not wash.

Chlorine-based bleaching

Chlorine-based bleaching allowed. Only cold and dilute solution.

Do not use chlorine-based bleach.

Ironing

Iron at a maximum temperature of 200°C.

Iron at a maximum temperature of 150°C.

Iron at a maximum temperature of 110°C. Steam ironing may cause damage.

Do not iron. Steaming and steam treatments not recommended.

Drying

To maintain the garment's original look it's important to notice the symbol that indicates whether it should be tumble dried or not. Never tumble dry garments that cannot take tumble-drying! If you choose to dry your garments in an airing cupboard you have to make sure that the temperature does not exceed the one given on the care label. Drying at room temperature is the best thing for many garments. Heavy knits should be reshaped and dried flat - H&M uses the additional text "dry flat".

Tumble dry at normal temperature settings. Maximum temperature 60°C.

Tumble dry at lower temperature settings. Maximum temperature 45°C.

Tumble dry at normal temperature settings. Maximum temperature 60°C.

No tumble dry.

Dry-cleaning/Leather specialist

For some of our garments we recommend dry-cleaning. The reason for this may be that the clothes contain details/materials such as shoulder pads, fur collars and acetate linings that may discolour or shrink if washed in water. Leather and suede garments should always be cleaned by a leather specialist.

Dry-clean with regular dry cleaning fluids.

Do not dry-clean. No stain removal with solvents.

Wash symbols

Here you'll find explanations to the wash care labels in our garments, as well as some good advice on washing in general. Please note: Always follow the instructions given on the label!

Click on the symbol to learn more!