Washing instructions and care:

Some of our garments are cyanotype-printed and some are digitally printed:

They have different washing needs.

Check the label that came with your item at the time of purchase: it will indicate if your garment is a cyanotype-printed fabric or a digitally printed fabric.

Digitally printed fabrics

These fabrics can be washed according to their fabric type. There is no need to avoid phosphates, although you probably want to do that anyway as it’s better for the environment.

Wash according to fabric type and the instructions on the label: silks are often hand-washed or dry-cleaned, cottons and heavier fabrics can usually be washed in the washing machine.

We do not recommend using the dryer unless it is for very sturdy fabrics. Your items will last longer if you hang them to dry.

Cyanotype printed fabrics:

Clothing with cyanotype photography does have special washing needs but it's not as hard to care for as you might think. 

The main thing is to avoid contact with certain detergents that can bleach the image.  Wash only in phosphate-free liquid soap. Do not use borax, oxyclean, washing soda, powdered detergent or soaps, baking soda, any type of washing salts, or bleach. Use of these cleaning products will change your cyanotype item from deep blue to a light yellow and on some fabrics, the print will seem to disappear almost entirely.

Avoid wearing your garment while hand-washing dishes, or other cleaning activities. Any contact with soaps containing phosphates will remove the colour from the garment on those spots.

     Soaps such as Dr. Bronner’s castile soap or Ecomax Natural orange laundry wash are both safe to use. A sample of a safe soap to use is included in with your purchase of any cyanotype-printed garment. A swatch of sample fabric is also included if you want to test out another soap before washing your garment.

     Cyanotype items should be washed by hand. Washing machines often have residues of cleaning products that will bleach your image.

     Ironing your garment is perfectly safe, just be sure to use the correct iron setting for the item's material: cotton, linen or silk.