Care Guide
Kashukuma pieces are made to last. With a little attention, they will age beautifully, the cotton softening with each wash, the embroidery remaining as vivid as the day it left our artisans’ hands. Here is how to take care of them.
Washing
- Machine wash cold or warm (not hot) on a gentle cycle
- Use a mild, liquid detergent, avoid powder detergents, which can be harder to rinse fully from natural fibres
- Wash with like colours
- Do not use bleach or optical brighteners, these degrade natural cotton fibres over time
- Do not use fabric softener on percale; it coats the fibres and reduces breathability over time. Sateen pieces may benefit from occasional light use of softener if desired.
Drying
- Tumble dry on a low heat setting, or line dry
- Remove from the dryer promptly to minimise wrinkling
- Do not over-dry, natural cotton can shrink and become brittle if exposed to high heat for extended periods
Ironing
- Both percale and sateen may be ironed
- Iron on a medium setting while slightly damp for best results
- For sateen, iron on the reverse side to preserve the sheen of the fabric
The embroidery
- The hand embroidery on your duvet cover and shams is durable, but benefits from gentle handling
- Wash embroidered pieces inside-out to protect the embroidery during the wash cycle
- Do not scrub embroidered areas directly
- If the embroidery ever snags, do not pull the thread, gently work it back into place with a blunt needle or pin
General tips
- Wash your linen before first use, this removes any residual finishing from production and begins the softening process
- Rotate between sets where possible to extend the life of each piece
- Store clean linen in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, which can fade both fabric and embroidery over time
How to wash your bed linen
Wash Kashukuma linen cold or warm on a gentle cycle with a mild liquid detergent, embroidered pieces inside-out, no bleach or optical brighteners. Tumble dry low or line dry and remove promptly. Iron slightly damp, sateen on the reverse to protect the sheen. Wash before first use.
How do I wash hand-embroidered sheets?
Turn embroidered pieces inside-out, wash cold or warm on a gentle cycle with a mild liquid detergent, and skip bleach and optical brighteners. The embroidery is worked into the fabric, not applied on top, so it launders with the piece, inside-out simply protects the stitches from abrasion.
How do I wash pillows and pillow inserts?
Wash most pillow inserts on a gentle warm cycle, two at a time to balance the drum, and dry thoroughly on low with dryer balls to keep the fill even. Our pillowcases and shams follow the linen instructions above.
Should I wash new sheets before using them?
Yes. A first wash removes any residual finishing from production and begins the softening, percale in particular improves markedly over the first several washes.
How do I keep white sateen from yellowing?
Avoid optical brighteners. They make cotton look whiter under UV while degrading the fibre, and in white linen they cause the yellowing they are sold to prevent. A mild liquid detergent and a cool wash keep white white.
How should I store bed linen so the embroidery survives?
Store clean and fully dry, in a cool dark place away from direct sunlight, which fades both fabric and embroidery. Fold loosely rather than compressing, and avoid plastic bags, which trap moisture.