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Fabric Care
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Fabric Care

Ian Mankin Natural fabrics are predominantly made from 100% natural fibres, with no added resins or chemical treatments. This means that when cleaning they require a little more care than manmade fibres. These fabrics can be sensitive to changes in humidity and temperature.

Natural fabrics can shrink when washed.

Dry cleaning can also cause shrinkage. Allow enough extra material to take these factors into account.
Natural fabrics can have occasional ‘slubs’ in the weave and these are not faults but part of the charm of a natural product.

Loose Covers - To minimise the risk of shrinkage, wash fabric before making up, including any lining for the skirt and always ensure that piping cord is pre-shrunk.

Tight Upholstery - We strongly recommend that new upholstery should be treated with a stain protector.

Curtains/Valences/bedspreads etc - Add extra length onto any finished measurement to allow for any ‘rising’ – see approx. shrinkages below.

Flame Retardancy - Your upholsterer should use a flame retardant barrier cloth. Alternatively we can arrange for special treatments, such as a flame retardant backcoating to conform to BS5852 source 1. There is an additional charge for this service.

Washing

Loose Covers - Use a cool wash (40c max) on a short cycle, finishing with a short spin. Do not tumble dry. Shake out thoroughly, then ease covers back onto to furniture when slightly damp. This will allow you to stretch them back into the correct shape & size.

Unlined Curtains - Unlined curtains can be washed (follow the instructions for loose covers above) but undo the hem first. With lined curtains it is better to separate the lining from the main fabric at the sides and hem, as the two may shrink at different rates.

Interlined Curtains - DO NOT WASH. Hand made interlined curtains can only be dry cleaned by a curtain specialist.

When washing coloured fabrics, use a powder/liquid that is especially recommended for them (no bleach or optical whiteners)

Approx Shrinkages

UK/EU cottons 3 - 5%
Linen Unions 5 - 10%
Sheers 10%