Caring for Wool, Linen, and Cotton the Right Way

Most clothes don't wear out — they're worn out by how we wash them. A quick guide to making good things last.

Natural fibers reward a little care and punish carelessness. The difference between a sweater that lasts a decade and one that pills into oblivion in a season is usually the wash, not the wool.

Wool rarely needs washing — airing it out handles most wear. When it does, use cool water and a wool-specific detergent, and dry flat so it keeps its shape. Linen is nearly indestructible but hates high heat; wash warm, line dry, and lean into the relaxed wrinkles that are the whole point of the fabric. Cotton is forgiving, but hot washes and hot dryers shrink and fade it over time.

Two habits cover almost everything: wash less often and at lower temperatures, and skip the dryer whenever you can. Heat is what ages fabric fastest. Fold knits rather than hanging them, give everything room to breathe in the wardrobe, and your best pieces will look better for far longer.