Care guide

Buying timeless quality items that are responsibly produced is the first step to a more sustainable approach to your wardrobe. Caring for your clothes and making them last is the next. In this guide we will tell you everything you need to know about caring for your new Henriette Steffensen Copenhagen or CARL by Steffensen item.

WASH LESS, WEAR MORE

A lot of people throw their clothes in the washer more than they need to, simply out of habit. Keep in mind that washing your clothes wears the clothes down, impacts your utility bills, and impacts the environment.

Assess your clothes after wearing them and determine if they really need a wash or not. If they have a small stain, they can be spot treated with a damp cloth and a drop of laundry detergent. If your clothes are wrinkly or out of shape, try shaking them and hanging them outside in the fresh air.

When you wash your clothes, we recommend using an eco-friendly laundry detergent and avoiding fabric softeners. All Henriette Steffensen Copenhagen and CARL by Steffensen designs are made from quality fabric that stays soft and comfortable without the use of fabric softeners. Some fabric softeners have been linked with negative health and environmental impacts, so avoiding these is a benefit to you and our planet. If you do choose to use one, we recommend using eco-labeled and certified products. Read more here.

Always be mindful of the care label on your garments and make sure to sort your clothes in dark and light colors. Even if your clothes can be washed up to 40°, we recommend that you wash at 30°. If you have a spot that stays you can add some extra detergent and leave for some time before you wash it.

AVOID THE DRYER

Tumble drying is harsh on most fabrics and result in a shorter life cycle for your clothes. We recommend avoiding the dryer and hanging your garments to dry instead. To avoid wrinkles you can hang your shirts, tops, and dresses to dry on a hanger instead of a laundry rack.

When you avoid the dryer you save unnecessary wear on your clothes, a high utility bill, and negative impact on the environment.

REPAIR AND REUSE

If you accidentally tear a whole in your garment, attempt to repair them instead of throwing them out. In many cases, tears can be sewn together seamlessly. The easiest way to repair a whole is to sew it from the inside of the garment with a thin needle and a regular sewing thread in a matching color – if you are going for a seamless look. Be careful not to tighten the thread too much, as this can cause the fabric to clump together. Try instead to sew multiple times in the same spot to ensure a solid finish.

If you, for other reasons, do not get to wear your Henriette Steffensen Copenhagen or CARL by Steffensen item, we encourage you to donate it to a friend, family, or charity of your choice.

Feel free to write us at kundeservice@hscph.dk if you have any questions about care or repair of your garment – we are happy to help!

For guides on how to care for specific materials, see our Care Guide for Fleece, Care Guide for Jersey, and Care Guide for Cotton.

Do you want to dive into the HSCPH universe and get inspiration, facts about our collections, the different materials and the EU-based production? Find all journal posts here.