How to care for cotton clothes

Cotton fabric is manufactured from natural plant fibres and is used for many things, including various styles of clothing, from jumpers and jeans to coats and jackets. The fibres can be woven or knitted into garments that are both comfortable and breathable. Cotton clothing is both economical and long-lasting, and while cotton mixes are usually ready to wear immediately out of the dryer, 100% cotton clothing needs a little extra attention to keep it looking its best and lasting for years.

How to wash cotton

Machine washable garments made of 100 percent cotton should be laundered every two to three wears, based on how soiled the item becomes. Check the care labels on your clothes before placing them in the washer

While cotton is washable, some clothing , such as linings and interfacings in tailored coats and blazers, may feature non-washable materials that provide structural support. Other cotton garments may be sensitive and require the delicate cycle or hand washing. So, if you come across a tag that reads "dry clean only," pay attention and follow the directions.


Dry cleaning is a good alternative if you have dark cotton jeans or blazers that you don't want to fade. A skilled cleaner will know how to properly care for the fabric. You can also use a home dry cleaning kit to refresh and protect dark-coloured cotton.

How to iron cotton

When cleaned, some cotton textiles wrinkle excessively or form curled hem edges, meaning you might need to iron them. Always iron cotton fabric on the inside with a medium-hot iron. Use a pressing cloth between the iron and the fabric for added protection. Cellulosic fibres can be scorched by ironing at extremely high temperatures. As the fibres begin to burn, they sear or turn yellow.

Spray with laundry starch or sizing while ironing for a crisp finish. Liquid starch is required for stiff laundry-starched garments. To effectively remove wrinkling, use a clothes steamer or hang cotton items in a steamy bathroom. This will not result in a precise finish, but it will eliminate large creases.

Treating stains on organic cotton clothes

To avoid permanent damage, treat stains on cotton items as soon as possible, just as you would any other type of fabric. For optimal results, follow the stain remover's directions and let the cotton item sit for at least 10 minutes before washing.

Avoid using chlorine bleach that hasn't been diluted because it might weaken fibres and create holes in cotton fabrics. For stain removal and whitening, a dilute solution can be used safely on cotton or cellulosic fabrics. Always read and follow the guidelines on the bleach label. If applied too regularly to whiten clothing, even dilute solutions will weaken cotton fibres, causing them to rip and wear out.

An oxygen-based bleach is a better option for lightening and brightening white and coloured cotton materials. Because oxygen bleaches take longer to work than chlorine bleaches, soaking the clothes for at least one hour will yield the best results. Always read the product labels and stick to the instructions.

Ethical cotton clothes from THE-CØDED

Our innovative online shopping experience allows you the consumer to find out exactly where your clothes are made, and by whom. We work with various manufacturers that specialise in cotton clothing. Many of these manufacturers produce the same quality clothing for designer brands, only without the labels for THE-CØDED. 

Shop our menswear and womenswear collections to find ethical cotton clothing which you can wear from season to season.

If you have any questions about our cotton clothing or how to care for certain items, please get in touch.
August 01, 2022 — James Browne
Tags: care guides