CARE FOR YOUR CLOTHES

NORTH SAILS - CAREGUIDE

HOW TO WASHAt North Sails we always strive to use the best quality fabrics. This is why it is very important as an ambassador or captain to know all about our different fabrics and how to take care of them. This care guide will provide you with all the ins and outs about fabric care: how to wash your garments, how to remove stains and various tips and tricks to keep garments looking great.

Study this care guide to learn all about how to take care of our garments. Practice your knowledge during morning sessions and pass it on to the customer during the day.

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CAREGUIDE

NATURAL FIBRES

Natural fibres are produced by plants or animals and can be spun into filaments, thread or rope.Like agriculture, textiles have been a fundamental part of human life since the dawn of civilization. According to Chinese tradition, the history of silk begins in the 27th century BC. The oldest wool textile, found in Denmark, dates from 1500 BC, and the oldest wool carpet, from Siberia, from 500 BC. Fibres such as jute and coir have been cultivated since antiquity. While the methods used to make fabrics have changed greatly since then, their functions have changed very little: today, most natural fibres are still used to make clothing. Plant fibres include seed hairs such as cotton; bast fibres, such as flax and hemp;leaf fibres, such as sisal; and husk fibres, such as coconut. Animal fibres include wool, hair and spun fibres such as silk.

COTTONCotton is a natural fabric that can easily be laundered. It can withstand high temperatures: even boiling water does not hurt the fibre. Wash: It can be washed at high temperatures using any kind of washing detergent. White cottons can even be gently washed with bleach to keep their pearly white shade.Dry: After washing, they can be machine dried on a higher temperature. However, keep in mind that cotton tends to wrinkle easily. Therefore they need to be ironed.

LINENMost linen fabrics are washable; however always check the label to be sure.Wash: Wash your linen garment by hand using mild soap or put them in the washing machine on the hand wash program.Dry: Linen fabric wrinkles easily and therefore should be dried lying down or by hanging them out.

SILKSilk is a delicate fabric and should be handled with care. However, it is fairly easy to clean. It has a naturally tendency to release dirt quickly and does not always require dry cleaning to keep its quality.Wash: Gently hand wash silk items using very cold water. Apply a very mild detergent. (this soap will help preserve the garment’s natural oils). Rinse the item in cold water until all soap residue has been removed. Add a few drops of hair conditioner to the rinse water to keep the silk soft and flexible.Dry: Press the water out of the fabric by rolling it in a towel. Do not twist or wring, as this will damage the fabric. Silk is more fragile when wet therefore should be dried lying down and allow it to air dry complete-

ly. Do not put silk garments in the sun to dry. Important notes:Important notes:- Never hang your cashmere garments on a hanger, as it will lose its shape. Rather, when the item is completely dry, gently fold and lay flat in a drawer until ready to use.- Unless the tag on your silk fabric recommends dry cleaning, it should be avoided as dry cleaning will shrink certain types of silk.- Use lemon juice or vinegar to spot clean, but test an inconspicuous area first to test for colourfastness.- Since silk is a natural fibre, do not use bleach as it will damage the fibres.- Be careful not to let hairspray and perfume get on silk as the alcohol will damage the fabric.

CASHMERECashmere is a luxurious fabric that requires extra delicate care.Wash: Never place cashmere garments in the washer or dryer but wash them gently by hand in lukewarm water using a very mild detergent or shampoo. Gently workthrough the fabric and rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Don’t wring or twist the material, as it could lose its original shape.Dry: When drying cashmere, gently squeeze the excess water out of the garment. (again, do not wring or twist). Lay the garment out on a clean towel, adjusting it to its original shape, and roll the towel up, jelly roll style, with the cashmere item in the middle. Apply pressure to the towel, and unroll, laying the item flat again on another clean dry towel to finish air-drying.Important notes:- Never hang your cashmere garments on a hanger, as it will lose its shape. Rather, when the item is completely dry, gently fold and lay flat in a drawer until ready to use. -

CAREGUIDE

NATURAL FIBRES

Also be aware that some cashmere items, such as woven cashmere, are dry clean only. Check your care label carefully and never attempt to wash a cashmere item that is dry clean only.- Iron only when absolutely necessary. Use a cool iron with a press cloth between the iron and the fabric.

WOOLWool can easily lose its shape and become less defined if washed without care. Worst of all, it can shrink on you, be-coming quite a few sizes smaller. Therefore always handle your woollen garments with extra care and make sure your woollen item really needs to be washed. Unlike cotton and man-made materials, wool does not need to be washed frequently. Just air your wool garment in-between wears.Wash: Most wool garments can be washed in a washing machine on the special wool program. However hand washing your garment will always be pref-erable because it is more gentle. Use a detergent specially made for washing wool (like woolite) to make sure your woollen garment stays nice and soft. Dissolve the detergent in the water first, to prevent agitating the wet wool. Basically heat, agitation, and detergent are the enemies of wool, so aim to soak and rinse the dirt out. Just gently push your woollen garment under water and softly squeeze the suds through the clothing. Rinse thoroughly with cool or cold water. Dry; Remove excess water with a towel by laying the item on a towel and rolling it up jelly-roll style, squeezing and pressing gently. Unroll then and leave in fresh air to dry. Never hang your wool garment out to dry as the wet fabric will stretch and loose shape. Instead dry your woollen garments flat in desired shape.

CAREGUIDE

NATURAL FIBRES

SUEDESuede is a type of leather that is created from the underside of the hide. The fibres are buffed and raised to give it a velvety touch. Protection and careful cleaning are the keys to keeping suede items looking good. Begin by protecting your suede items by applying a good protective spray.Stains: Spot cleaning can be done at home using a clean-er designed especially for suede rather than a general leather cleaner. Suede erasers can be rubbed on the suede to loosen ground in dirt and remove some stains. A dry towel also works to scrub away dirt and stains. If necessary, try using small amount of vinegar on a towel to clean stains out of suede, but be sure to spot-test it first. Just rub a small amount and be careful not to soak it. Let the item air out to remove the smell.Important notes:-Avoid ironing suede garments; ironing may cause damage to the fabric. Instead, let any wrinkles fall out naturally by hanging your suede garment from a padded hanger. If you must iron, use a cool iron, placing a heavy brown paper bag between the iron and the fabric, and iron very quickly. - Do not use petroleum jelly (i.e. Vaseline) as a waterproofing agent on suede, it will stain the fabric.- Do not store suede in a plastic bag, or other non- breathable storage bag as the suede may dry out and crack. - Suede is a type of leather. Generally, for a thorough cleaning, it is best to have suede garments professionally cleaned.

LEATHERLeather garments are timeless pieces that can last for years if they are properly taken care off. Carefully read all the care instructions on the inside label and follow these instructions very thoroughly to avoid ruining your leather items.Stains: In general stains in leather fabric can be removed by gently whipping the fabric with a damp cloth. This will remove any obvious external stains like dirt and dust. For more intensive stains you could spray the stained areas with a leather cleaner (which does not contain a water base) and gently rub the stain off with a soft washcloth. Avoid using abrasive cloths or sponges that may scratch the delicate leather.Wash: Some leather qualities can be hand washed with lukewarm water and mild soap. Dish washing liquidoften works well as detergent as it doesn’t contain harsh chemicals that may damage the leather. The best way to do this is to soak the leather jacket in a small tub of water filled with the dish washing liquid. Gently rub stained areas in a circular motion until clean and hang your garment out to dry.

Important notes:- Never hang your leather garments near a heater as it could stiffen the fabric.- If you want to be sure that your jacket stay perfectly in shape; always go to a professional dry cleaner. This may be more expensive but it will make sure that your garment stays looking its best.

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LEATHER/SUEDE

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SYNTHETIC FABRICSSynthetic fibres are the result of extensive research by scientists to improve on naturally occurring animal and plant fibres. They are man-made fibres that are continuous filaments. This means that the fibres come in long lengths and don’t have to be spun out into yarn. Synthetic fibres are manufac-tured using plant materials and minerals: viscose comes from pine trees or petrochemicals, while acrylic, nylon and polyester come from oil and coal. The advantages of these synthetic materials are:

-They do not depend either on an agricultural crop or on animal farming.- They are generally cheaper than natural fibre.- Synthetic fibres possess unique characteristics which make them popular dress material.- They dry up quickly, are durable, readily available and easy to maintain.- More stain resistant than natural fibres

The disadvantages are:- They are more flammable than natural fibres- Prone to heat damage, they melt relatively easy- Prone to damage by hot washing- More electrostatic charge is generated by rubbing than with natural fibres

ACRYLICAcrylic is a man made soft and luxurious fabric with the bulk and hand of wool.Wash: Acrylic may be machine-washed or hand washed. When washing acrylic garments in a washing machine, use warm water and add a fabric softener during the final rinse cycle. Fabric softener will reduce electricity and preventa static hand. Very delicate acrylic garments can be better washed by hand in warm water.Dry: You can dry acrylic garments in the drying machine, how-ever always dry them at a low temperature. Remove the gar-ments from the dryer as soon as they are dry togive them some space to get back to their original form. Import-ant note: sweaters and circular knits should be dried flat.

NYLONNylon is often used in our jackets and coats because of its strong character.Wash: Most items made from nylon can be machined washed and tumbled dry at low temperatures.Dry: However keep in mind that nylon can become static during the drying cycle. Minimize static electricity by adding special dryer sheets during the tumbling process and don’t forget to remove the nylon garments from the dryer as soon as the tum-bling cycle is completed. Nylon garments tend to wrinkle when they are left in the dryer.

POLYAMIDEPolyamide fabric is commonly used to manufacture outdoor and workout clothing. It has the feel of soft cotton, yet unlike cotton, it is waterproof and breathable, which helps your body maintain a comfortable temperature and wick away moisture.Wash: Polyamide fabric is washing-machine safe,but should only be washed with cold water. Wash the polyam-ide fabric in a regular, cold water washing machine cycle, using a bleach-free laundry detergent. If a washing machine is not available, the fabric can be hand washed in cold water.

Dry: Allow the fabric to air dry. Do not dry the fabric using heat, as it will shrink the fabric.

POLYESTERPolyester is a strong man made fibre that is resistant to crease and thus keeps it shape.Wash: Most items made from polyester can be machinewashed and dried. Use warm water and add a fabric softener to the final rinse cycle.Dry: Although polyester garments can be machine dried at low tem-perature settings; the best way to dry your polyester garment is just by hanging them out to dry.

SPANDEX/LYCRA/ELASTHANESpandex is a man made elastic type fibre that can be stretched many times its length and then spring back to the original length.Wash: Hand or machine wash spandex items in lukewarm water. Do not use detergents that contain chlorine bleach on any fabric contain-ing spandex as it will damage the fabric.Dry: Either drip dry or machine dry using low temperature settings.

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SYNTHETIC FIBRES

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HALF SYNTHETIC FIBRESSemi-synthetic fibres are also referred to as re-generated fibres. These fibres are man-made from natural sources. However to create these fibres from natural sources chemical processes are needed. This is the reason why we call these fibres semi-synthetic. The materials used for making re-generated fibres usually come from wood cellulose. They have the adventages of Natural fibers as well as the synthetic ones. Regenerated fibres include: acetates, lyocell, rayon, viscose and modal.

CUPROSimilar to rayon in that it is reprocessed cellulose.Like Tencel and rayon, the base material for cupro is a regener-ated cellulose fibre. Cupro gets its name from cuprammonium, the process that is used to process the wood pulp or cotton linters that are its base material. European relative of Tencel, cupro is a hypoallergenic, antistatic fabric that is resistant to stretching out of shape at higher temperatures. Despite its appearance, Cupro is easily laundered in the washing machine. If there are no special accoutrements on the piece of clothing, dry cleaning is not necessary. Because this material is com-monly used as a liner in (for instance in a jacket or on a skirt), always check the washing restrictions for the outer material, as it may or not be able to withstand vigorous machine washing. Although Cupro is able to be washedin a machine, it is suggested that it NOT be washedwith chlorine or bleach, or products containing either, as they can weaken the fabric, causing holes or tears in the garment.

LYOCELL/TENCELLyocell or Tencel can often be machine washed and dried. Wash: Use a warm setting to wash and cold to rinse and tum-ble dry on medium heat or permanent press setting. Dry: If you choose to tumble dry your Tencel item, be aware it might shrink up to 3 percent the first time it’s dried.Important notes:- Sometimes Tencel fabrics are blended with cotton or rayon to create a silk-like finish. These garments might require hand washing and line drying.- Tencel fabrics can become stiff if they are allowed to air dry. You can soften them by putting the item in the dryer with a soft towel on low temperature

MODALModal is a bio-based fibre made by spinning reconstituted cel-lulose from beech trees. It is about 50% more hygroscopic, or water-absorbent, per unit volume than cotton is. It is designed

to dye just like cotton, and is colourfast when washed in warm water. Modal is essentially a variety of rayon.Wash: For best results, please wash this garment with care. Hand wash or machine wash in cold on delicate cycle. Tumble dry low/cool, or lay flat to dry.Textiles made from Modal do not fibrillate, or pill, like cotton does, and are resistant to shrinkage and fading. They aresmooth and soft, more so than even mercerized cotton, to the point where mineral deposits from hard water, such as lime, do not stick to the fabric surface. Like pure cotton, modal should ideally be ironed after washing.

VISCOSEViscose is a semi-synthetic material consisting of chemically treat-ed natural fibres.Wash: Viscose garments can be washed by hand using a gentle washing detergent. Immerse your viscose garments in the water, swirl them gently and leave them to soak for a few minutes. Remove your garments from the soapy water and rinse them care-fully with warm water. Do not wring them out; but gently squeeze the excess water out. Although washing by hand is preferable, vis-cose garments can also be washed in your washing machine. In this case, set your washer to a gentle wash cycle, at a maximum temperature of 40°C and remove your viscose garments from your washer as soon as the cycle is finished.Dry: Reshape your garments while they are still damp. Hang them on non-rusting hangers or lay them flat to dry. Never tumble dry viscose.Important note:- Always turn viscose garments inside out prior to the washing cy-cle and fill your machine drums half full with garments. If you wash a full load of viscose garments, they are more likely to crease.

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HALF-SYNTETIC

RAYONRayon is a strong, extremely absorbent fabric with a soft silky feel. Rayon will wrinkle easily and may stretch when wet and shrink when washed.Wash: Therefore launder all washable rayon by hand.It is vulnerable to damage when it’s wet, so a washing machine’s agitation could damage it. Although rayon is a strong fabric, it needs some extra care and love to keep its shape and lustre. Never wring, twist or bunch up rayon. Just shake it out gently and smooth out the wrinkles with your hands. If you have to iron a rayon fabric always turn it inside out to prevent it from shining. Use low heat and gently press it while the fabric is still slightly damp to ease the wrinkling.Important note:- Do not put rayon garments in the dryer as it could damage the fabric.

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HALF-SYNTETIC

BLENDThe garment can for example be made of a cotton/wool blend. In the case of a blend it is always important to look at the care label inside the garment to make sure you will give the right care advice. If you don’t have a care label, always takethe most fragile fabric and apply the washing descriptions of this fabric. In the case of a cotton/silk blend fabric you should wash the garment as a pure silk piece.Next to these blend fabrics we also have garments made of fleece. Velvet, tulle or corduroy. Find the right care instructions for these garments below.roll style, and apply pressure to squeeze out excess water. Unroll, remove the garment and lay flat on another clean, dry towel to finish air-drying, away from sun or excess heat.

TULLETulle is a very delicate fabric. It needs to be handled and washed with care.Wash: Hand wash only as tulle will tear easily in a washing ma-chine. Use soap flakes or gentle soap only and softly swish around in the water. Do not rub or wring the tulle.Dry: Dry out of direct sunlight and never tumble dry.

VELVETAlways check the label to see if your velvet garment can be washed. If the velvet is cotton or silk in origin, rather than an easy-care, synthetic fabric, it is advisable to have it dry-cleaned. Cotton and silk velvets can have a tendency to dry out of shape and look ruined if washed at home. Never wash velvet garments with water warmer than 30 degrees.Stains: Always treat any stains prior to washing. If not, the stain might set and ruin the nap of the velvet. Usea cloth dampened in lukewarm water and dab the stain gently, moving up and down. Dab with a dry cloth to clear up excess water.

Wash: Velvet should never be machine washed but gently washed by hand using a mild soap.Dry: Drip dry your velvet garment by laying them out on a flat rack. The garment should drip dry laid out on a flat rack.

CORDUROYCorduroy is a heavy cotton fabric with a ribbed nap running lengthways. Corduroy can be washed as a normal cotton fabric. However, avoid ironing as to not crush the ribbed nap.

FLEECEIn our winter collection you will find several cosy fleece garments. Fleece is a modern synthetic material used to make cold-weather clothing .Wash: Fleece garments can be washed on a medium tempera-ture but should be removed from the washing machine right after the washing programmed is finished. This is important for main-taining the fluffy character of fleece and to avoid matting.Dry: This is also why fleece should not be dried in the dryer; instead hang these garments to dry to keep them looking great.

SATINSatin has a soft smooth feel that makes it an appealing fabric. It ranges in durability as well as cleaning options. Always check the care instructions found on the inside tag to determine the right cleaning process for your item. Wash: Satin items should be washed by hand or on the delicate cycle of your washerUse cold water along with a gentle detergent, like Woolite. When hand washing, let the item soak in lukewarm water for about 3 to 5 minutes. Gently squeeze the suds through the clothing and rinse thoroughly with cool or cold water. Do not wring or twist your satin clothing, as it will cause it to loose its shape.Dry: Avoid placing satin items in a dryer. Instead, lay the item flat on a clean, dry towel, and roll the towel, jellyImportant notes:- Never wash satin items in hot water. Hot water washing may shrink your satin items as much as 10% to 20% in size.

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BLENDS

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CARE LABELS AND HANG TAGSIn every North Sails garment you will find the washing description on our care labels. Study the meaning of these symbols so you can properly advice our customers how to take care of their garments. Another important source of information is the hang tag. Some garments have special hang tags to inform the customer about the piece. Explain these hangtags to your customers and always try to give them as much helpful information as possible. When garments are well taken care of, they can last for years.

TO WASH OR NOT TO WASHThe descriptions in this document are written for most used fabrics. If you are not sure about a certain fabric or blend, always look at the specific instructions inside the garment. Just be honest to your customer and tell him/ her you will check the label for the specific guidelines.

TIPS AND TRICKSIt’s best to deal with the stain as soon as possible. The longer you wait the more time the stain has to soak in and/ or dry, making it more difficult to remove. Lift or gently scrap off any excess material from the fabric. Use a cloth or a towel to gently blot and soak up any liquid. Try not to rub, rubbing can spread the stain and cause it to penetrate deeper into the fabric. Identify what caused the stain. In order to know what to do for the stain, you need to know what caused it. Follow the instructions on any presoak, prewash or stain removers. It’s best to test a small out of the way area of the fabric first. If stains aren’t entirely removed after washing, try rewashing the item. Allowing the item to dry, or putting it in the dryer, can set the stain for good.

1. Blood. First, you want to treat the stain with a mixture of cold water and table salt (2 tablespoons of salt to 1 quart of water). Rinse and blot with a towel. If the stain persists, try using diluted ammonia.

2. Candle Wax. Luckily, you have more than one way to clean up this stain. The first step is to gently scrape awaythe surface wax with a spatula or a dull knife. Now you have two options: you can either spot clean with a water- free

cleaning solvent or you can iron the stain out. Cover the spot with several layers of paper towels and gently slide over the paper towels. This should heat the wax while the paper towels soak it up.

3. Chewing Gum. All you have to do is freeze the gum with ice and then use a spatula or dull knife to remove it. Always be careful not to harm the fabric by scraping it too hard.

4. Chocolate and Coffee. Chocolate and coffee are two very easy stains to remove from your fabric. Just dampen a sponge with lukewarm water and blot the stain.

5. Ink and Markers. Use rubbing alcohol to lift the stain or by a special ink stain remover to get the stain out of your garment.

6. Red Wine and Alcohol. Red wine is always harder to get out of your clothes. A good remedy is soaking the stain in milk or sparkling water. Do not rub the fabric but gently try to soak the stain out.Remember, if you are unsure of how you should clean any piece of fabric, it’s best to have it done professionally

thank you

NORTH SAILS - CAREGUIDE