Natural Fabric
Care Guide
We built these pieces to last. This guide will help you get there. A few intentional habits — cold water, gentle detergent, air drying when you can — and your pieces will reward you with years, honestly decades, of wear.
Linen
The fabric that gets better with every wash — if you treat it right.
Linen is one of the oldest, most breathable, most naturally beautiful fabrics in the world. It softens beautifully with age, it's kind to your skin, and a well-made linen piece truly can last decades. But it does have an opinion about how it's treated.
Every Isla & Saige linen garment is pre-washed before it ships to you. We do this so the fabric has already gone through the shrinkage process before it reaches your hands. That means you can machine wash with complete confidence, from the very first time.
Washing
Wash cold, always.
Cold water is gentler on fibers, keeps your colors true longer, and cleans just as effectively as hot. There is no upside to washing linen in warm or hot water — it only adds unnecessary stress to the fabric.
Drying
Air dry whenever you can.
This is the single best thing you can do for your linen. Hang it on a line or lay it flat and let it dry naturally. Your pieces will last significantly longer, hold their shape better, and the fabric will stay strong wash after wash. It's the way linen was always meant to be cared for.
Ironing
Iron on low to medium heat if needed.
Cotton responds well to ironing. For best results, iron while the fabric is still slightly damp, on the reverse side when possible to protect the surface. A steamer works beautifully here too.
Bleach
No bleach.
It weakens the fibers, fades the color, and simply isn't necessary on a well-made natural fabric. Skip it entirely.
Detergent
Gentle, fragrance-free
Think of it as skincare for your wardrobe. Harsh detergents are hard on natural fabrics and your skin.
Cotton
Dependable, breathable, and built to be lived in.
Cotton is a workhorse. It's the fabric you reach for without thinking — the top that goes with everything, the dress that survives a full day and still looks pulled together. When it's well-made and well-cared for, good cotton just keeps showing up for you.
Like all of our pieces, your Isla & Saige cotton garments arrive pre-washed. Sizing is consistent, the fabric is already soft, and you can wash freely from day one.
Washing
Wash cold, always.
Same rule as linen, same reason. Cold water is gentler on fibers, preserves color, and does the job just as well as warm or hot. Hot water adds stress without adding benefit.
Drying
Tumble dry low — but air dry when you can.
Cotton is a little more dryer-friendly than linen, but the same principle applies: heat is hard on fibers over time. Low heat is fine for regular use. If you want your pieces to truly go the distance, air drying is always the better choice. Lay flat or hang to dry and you'll notice the difference in how long your cotton holds its shape and softness.
Ironing
Iron while damp for best results.
Linen wrinkles, that's part of its character. If you want a crisper look, iron while the fabric is still slightly damp on a low to medium setting. It makes the whole process easier and the results much smoother. A good steamer works beautifully too.
Bleach
No bleach, Ever.
Bleach weakens the fibers and strips natural color. It has no place in linen care.
Detergent
Gentle, fragrance-free
Think of it as skincare for your wardrobe. Harsh detergents are hard on natural fabrics and your skin.
Silk
Delicate by nature. Extraordinary when cared for properly.
Silk is in a category of its own. It drapes beautifully, feels incredible against the skin, and has a quiet luxury that no synthetic can replicate. But it does require a little more attention than your linen or cotton pieces, and that's worth knowing before you bring one home.
Because silk is such a delicate fabric, we don't pre-wash our silk pieces before they're made. That means a bit more care is needed, but nothing complicated. Just a different rhythm.
Cleaning
Eco dry clean preferred
Seek out an eco or wet cleaner. They clean thoroughly without the chemical exposure of conventional dry cleaning.
Alternative
Hand washing works too — with care.
If dry cleaning isn't convenient, you can hand wash your silk pieces in cold water with a very gentle, fragrance-free detergent. Use minimal agitation, never wring or twist the fabric, and rinse thoroughly. Think of it as less of a wash and more of a gentle soak.
Drying
Lay flat, away from sunlight
Heat and silk simply don't mix, even low dryer heat can damage the fibers and alter the feel permanently.
Tumble dry
Never
No exceptions. The dryer is not an option for silk, even on the lowest setting.
Ironing
Lowest setting, reverse side
A steamer on a low setting is even gentler and works beautifully on silk.
Bleach
Never
Especially on silk. There are no exceptions here.
Questions about a specific piece? Contact us at hello@islaandsaige.com