Caring for Your Garments

Washing

We recommend hand washing wherever possible, as this is the most gentle on your clothes and the planet - however we know that this can be a time consuming process, so recommend the following method if you prefer to wash your AYM garments in the machine:  

1. Use a high-quality liquid or single use pods. (Try Ecover / Method for eco-friendly options)
   
2. Place your AYM garment in a protective bag (We recommend Guppyfriend) to protect it from wear and tear in the washing machine.
3. Run a fast cycle on a cold water setting. 
4. Finish with a gentle fabric conditioner.
   

Wash as little as possible
Washing our clothes less prolongs their life span, as they are exposed to less wear and tear from harsh machine cycles. It's also much better for the planet, saving both water and energy.

Let's hear it from the experts:

Through considered washing processes you can extend the life of clothes. Bert Wouters of Procter & Gamble (the company that makes washing detergents Ariel, Tide & Gain) suggests that the best way to wash clothes is to wash less often and to follow the steps outlined above.

"When you use that regime, you can actually extend the life of clothes by four times. And the environmental impact of that is just amazing; it's humongous." - Bert Wouters of Procter & Gamble speaking to Dana Thomas in Fashionopolis (2019)

Pilling

Pilling occurs through the wearing of garments that are made with soft fabrics. The softer the fabric is, the more easy it is for the fabric to pill. Pilling is the small build up of fabric fibres that form on the surface of the garment. They are formed through friction of wear; the rubbing of a bag strap or jacket over the surface of the fabric, as well fiction from wash cycles. Pilling happens in three stages; fuzziness of the fabric, the pilling forming and then the pilling falling away. 

To delay these stages, we recommend washing and hanging / folding your garment inside-out until you wear it, as this helps to reduce friction between other fabrics. We also suggest taking extra care to avoid friction being created on the surface of the fabric between the garment and bags / accessories. 

How do I remove the pills?

Pills are already separate from the main body of the fabric and therefore they will fall away over time.

You can find equipment that is specifically designed to help with pilling. This includes Cashmere Combs and Clothes Shavers. Most dry cleaners will sell tools like this to help care for your garments. Otherwise a simple google search for 'Clothes Shaver' or 'Cashmere Comb' will provide a range of solutions. Alternatively we've listed a couple below.

• John Lewis - Clothes Shaver
• Steamery - Clothes Shaver

Alternatively, they can be removed carefully by using a blunt razor. To do so; gently run the razor over the pills as if you were shaving the garment. The blunt blades will pull the pills away from the main body of the fabric, the pills will then collect into the blades or fall away from the garment. 

Snags

These can happen when you catch part of the fibre on something sharp, like a zip or piece of jewellery. However tempting it may be, do not cut off the fibre that has become loose as a hole could appear.

The best thing to do is to stretch the fabric around the snag in different directions, to try and manipulate the thread back in to place. With a little bit of coaxing, it should go back in to place.

Stains

Sometimes stains can be stubborn or you may just want to remove a stain, rather than wash the whole top.

The best way to do this is to;

• Take a towel or clean cloth and place it behind where the stain is.
• Then, dampen the stained part of the fabric with water (best with a spray bottle)
• Using a stain remover, blot the area with a clean cloth.
• DO NOT RUB, this will break down the fibres in the fabric and may damage it.
• Keep alternating between spraying/dampening with water and blotting with the remover until you're satisfied that the stain has gone.

Tears

Tears in the garment are more technical to fix. The most environmentally friendly way to repair your torn garment may be to take it to a local dress maker or dry cleaners. This way there is no shipping involved and it reduces the carbon impact. 

Alternatively, if you are based in the UK, you can use our repairs and alterations service with SOJO. 

If you believe the tear was caused by a manufacturing error, please send us an email with an image of the damage to info@aym-studio.com, so that our team can investigate further and find a solution for you.

If you have any other questions about how best to care for your garments, please get in touch with us: info@aym-studio.com