How to Care for Your 29threds Pieces: Complete Fabric Care Guide
Extend the life of your coord sets, jumpsuits, and dresses. Step-by-step guidance for every fabric — washing, drying, storing with care.
You've invested in pieces you love from 29threds. They fit well. They make you feel good. The fabric feels beautiful. Now the question becomes: how do you keep them looking and feeling that way for years?
Fabric care is one of the most overlooked aspects of building a conscious wardrobe. We spend time choosing the right pieces, but then treat them carelessly in the wash — resulting in faded prints, stretched silhouettes, and damaged fibres that could have been prevented with a few simple steps.
At 29threds, we design our coord sets, jumpsuits, and dresses with quality fabrics that last — and this guide shows you exactly how to care for them. Follow these steps and your pieces will look beautiful for years.
Fabric Care by Garment Type
Different pieces have different needs. Here's what to expect from your 29threds wardrobe and how to keep each piece in its best condition.
Caring for Your Coord Sets
Coord sets are versatile pieces that deserve careful handling. Most 29threds coord sets are cotton or cotton-blend — a fabric that improves with time when cared for properly.
- Wash: Machine wash in cold water on a gentle cycle. Turn printed pieces inside-out to protect the design.
- Detergent: Use a mild detergent — avoid bleach and fabric softener. These damage natural fibres and fade colours.
- Drying: Air-dry in shade. Never tumble dry — heat damages cotton and sets in wrinkles permanently.
- Iron: If needed, iron on low heat while still slightly damp. Cotton wrinkles easily but relaxes beautifully when ironed.
- Frequency: Wash after every 2-3 wears, unless visibly soiled. Cotton actually becomes softer with appropriate washing.
Caring for Your Jumpsuits
Jumpsuits in fitted silhouettes are slightly more delicate than coord sets because of the single-piece construction. Handle them with extra care to maintain the seams and silhouette.
- Wash: Machine wash in cold water on a gentle cycle, or hand-wash for fitted styles. Place in a mesh laundry bag for machine washing.
- Turn inside-out: This is especially important for jumpsuits with prints or embellishments.
- Drying: Air-dry on a hanger (not in direct sun). This helps maintain the silhouette and prevents excessive wrinkling at seams.
- Wide-leg jumpsuits: Can be folded and laid flat to dry, or hung on a sturdy hanger to prevent warping the leg.
- Never tumble dry: The agitation and heat damage fabric and can loosen seams over time.
Caring for Your Dresses
Dresses vary in fabric and construction. Check the individual care tag for guidance specific to your piece, but these general principles apply to most 29threds dresses.
- Wash: Machine wash in cold water on a delicate cycle for structured fabrics (crepe, georgette). Hand-wash rayon or heavily embellished pieces.
- Colour: Wash with like colours to prevent dye transfer, especially on first wash.
- Stains: Treat immediately with cold water and mild soap. Heat can set stains permanently.
- Drying: Hang to dry or lay flat on a clean surface. Do not tumble dry.
- Midi and maxi dresses: When drying, ensure the hem doesn't touch the ground or a dirty surface.
Fabric-Specific Care Instructions
We use several different fabrics across our collections. Here's how to care for each one specifically. For more detail on the fabrics themselves, read our complete fabric guide.
Cotton & Cotton-Blend
Cotton is one of the most durable and forgiving fabrics. It actually improves with age when cared for properly — becoming softer and more comfortable with time.
- Machine wash in cold water, gentle cycle
- Turn printed pieces inside-out
- Use mild detergent; avoid bleach
- Air-dry in shade — direct sun fades colour faster than any washing machine
- Iron on low-to-medium heat if needed
- Minimal shrinkage (less than 1 inch) — all 29threds cotton is pre-shrunk
Rayon & Viscose
Rayon is more delicate than cotton. It drapes beautifully but requires gentler handling, particularly when wet.
- Hand-wash or use the delicate cycle in a mesh bag
- Use cold water and mild detergent
- Don't wring — squeeze gently to remove excess water
- Lay flat or hang to dry; never tumble dry
- Iron on low heat only, and while still slightly damp
- Rayon can stretch when wet, so handle carefully during washing
Crepe & Georgette
Crepe and georgette are structured fabrics that hold their shape beautifully. They require care to maintain their crisp, polished appearance.
- Hand-wash for best results, or use delicate cycle in a mesh bag
- Cold water with mild detergent
- Do not wring — these fabrics are delicate when wet
- Lay flat to dry in shade
- Iron on low heat to maintain the crease and structure
- These fabrics are wrinkle-resistant, so they often don't need ironing
Linen & Linen-Blend
Linen is durable and gets softer with every wash. Its natural texture means it wrinkles, but that's part of its charm.
- Machine wash in cold water, gentle cycle
- Use mild detergent — linen actually strengthens with washing
- Air-dry in shade
- Iron if desired, though linen's wrinkled look is often intentional
- Linen pieces naturally relax and drape better after a few washes
"The way you care for a piece is an extension of how you value it. Beautiful fabrics deserve beautiful treatment."
Step-by-Step Washing Guide
Here's the exact process we recommend for washing your 29threds pieces to maximize their lifespan and keep colours vibrant.
Check the Care Label
Every 29threds piece comes with a care label. Read it. Different styles and fabrics have specific needs — the label is your first reference.
Turn Inside-Out
Turning your pieces inside-out before washing protects prints, embellishments, and the outer fabric from friction and fading. This single step makes a massive difference.
Sort by Colour
Wash with like colours to prevent dye transfer, especially on first wash. New dark pieces should sometimes be washed separately.
Use Cold Water & Mild Detergent
Cold water prevents colour loss and shrinkage. Use a mild, preferably plant-based detergent. Avoid bleach, fabric softener, and harsh chemicals.
Choose Gentle Cycle
Machine wash on gentle or delicate cycle, or hand-wash for delicate pieces. The less agitation, the longer your pieces last.
Air-Dry in Shade
Never tumble dry. Hang or lay flat in shade. Direct sunlight fades colours faster than you'd expect — this is the biggest factor in colour preservation.
Iron on Low Heat (if needed)
Most 29threds pieces don't need ironing if hung to dry. If ironing is needed, use low heat and iron while slightly damp.
What to Avoid: Common Mistakes
✓ Do This
- Turn pieces inside-out before washing
- Use cold water always
- Wash with similar colours
- Use mild detergent only
- Air-dry in shade
- Iron on low heat only
- Read care labels carefully
- Store in a cool, dry place
✗ Don't Do This
- Use hot water — it fades colours and shrinks fabric
- Tumble dry — heat damages natural fibres
- Use bleach or fabric softener
- Leave items in direct sunlight to dry
- Use harsh chemicals or stain removers
- Iron on high heat
- Wring out delicate fabrics
- Store in damp or humid areas
Storing Your 29threds Collection
How you store your pieces between wears matters almost as much as how you wash them. Improper storage leads to creasing, stretching, colour fading, and mildew growth.
- Hang rather than fold — Prevents permanent creases, especially for jumpsuits and dresses. Use wooden or padded hangers.
- Keep away from direct sunlight — Store in a closet or wardrobe, not near windows. Sunlight fades even stored pieces.
- Cool, dry environment — Avoid damp areas or rooms with temperature fluctuations. Moisture can lead to mildew.
- Use cedar blocks or acid-free tissue — For long-term storage (seasonal pieces), place cedar blocks or acid-free tissue to prevent color transfer and protect from moths.
- If folding is necessary — Fold loosely, use acid-free tissue between folds to prevent creases from setting permanently.
- Breathable storage — For seasonal pieces, use breathable cotton storage bags rather than plastic, which can trap moisture.
Clean pieces before storing. Stains can set over time, and dirt attracts insects. If storing a piece for several months, place it in a breathable bag with a cedar block to maintain freshness and prevent odours.
Dealing with Stains & Damage
Accidents happen. Here's what to do when they do:
- Fresh stains: Blot immediately with cold water and a clean cloth. Do not rub — rubbing pushes the stain deeper into the fabric.
- Food or drink stains: Soak in cold water for 30 minutes, then gently rub with mild detergent. Rinse thoroughly and air-dry.
- Oil or grease stains: Sprinkle baking soda on the stain to absorb oils, then wash normally in cold water.
- Mud or dirt: Let dry completely, then brush off gently. Wash as normal.
- Heat can set stains permanently: Never tumble dry or iron a stained piece — heat will make the stain permanent.
- For stubborn stains: Contact us at hello@29threds.com for specific guidance. We want your pieces to last as long as they should.
How Long Should Your 29threds Pieces Last?
With proper care, a 29threds piece should last for years — often 5+ years of regular wear for a well-maintained coord set. The lifespan depends on:
- Fabric quality: We use high-quality fabrics designed to withstand frequent wear
- Frequency of wear: Pieces worn and washed more often naturally have shorter lifespans
- Care practices: Pieces cared for properly (cold water, gentle cycle, air-dry) last significantly longer than those thrown in a hot wash
- Storage: Pieces stored properly maintain their colour, shape, and integrity longer
If a piece develops a defect in seams, fabric, or construction within a reasonable timeframe, reach out to us. We stand behind our work. See our complete sizing and returns guide for more detail.