care/k:/
noun
serious attention or
consideration applied to doing
something correctly or to avoid
damage or risk.
Correct care will assuredly result in longer life
for clothing, and there are ways to reduce environmental impact while maintaining the cleanliness and integrity of a garment. We created this Care Guide to help you do just that.
A little bit of fresh air and
sunshine will do a garment good.
Hang or lay jackets, breeches or shirts
out in the sun for a little bit
of natural R&R.
Stains of all kinds, shapes and sizes are part and parcel of equestrian sports.
Small, superficial stains (dust, saliva, etc) can be eliminated by spot treating the affected area with mild soap and water, or wipes.
TIP - Keep a packet of wipes in your gear bag, car or tack box. They will always come in handy.
When washing your clothes, consider the following:
Fully load the washing machine, by collecting all similarly-colored items and wash them together. This saves water and energy.
Wash with cold water. This reduces the risk of garments shrinking and color bleed. Also cooler washes consume less energy.
Avoid the dryer, if you can. Hang show jackets/shirts and lay breeches flat to dry (socks too!). Over time, the dryer diminishes the elasticity of some garments.
TIP - If the dryer is necessary, the lower heat setting would be best.
Wrinkles are unavoidable in the washing process. Here are some easy ways to avoid them:
Remove all shirts and jackets from the washing machine immediately and hang them to dry.
This will help garments maintain their original shape.
If stubborn wrinkles arise, reach for the iron or better yet, the steamer. Make sure the iron is set to the lowest setting.
TIP - Always pack a clothes hanger for show weekends, jackets can be hung throughout the day instead of being folded.
Reduce environmental impact by recycling clothing that you no longer wear or have outgrown.
TIP - Consider donating old jackets and breeches to an equestrian center near you.