Each Lf handwoven scarf has gone through a process of dyeing, rinsing, washing, and ironing before it gets to you. These handmade textiles may be cold water machine washed in a very specific kind of protective bag on the delicate setting. However, machines can't always be trusted and so I recommend hand washing. In general, treat your scarf as you would any nicely made and expensive article of clothing that you would launder yourself.
RECOMMENDED WASH: To keep your scarf looking its best forever and ever, I recommend a cold water hand wash using any mild detergent. Let your scarf soak in a roomy sink or the tub, with a bit of Woolite or one of those great mild organic detergents. Washing this way will keep your scarf from snagging or distorting, and will protect the integrity of your fringe. Agitation from the machine can tangle and eventually fuzz up the exposed ends of the fringe threads.
DRYING: Air dry your scarf! Heat from the clothes dryer will eventually damage fibers, just like blow drying can damage your hair. Do not wring excess water out of the scarf: press it gently. Wringing can stretch the scarf out of shape and disrupt the evenness of the weave structure. Instead, lay your scarf flat on a towel or two: drape it on the floor of your bathtub when it is really wet. Keeping the scarf flat (instead of hanging it over a clothes hanger or chair back) also minimizes stretching (think of all that water weight supported by a small section of the scarf: would you like that?). If you don't want to iron but don't want wrinkles, when the scarf is damp but not soggy, drape it over the end of your bed and smooth it flat with your hands, allowing it to completely dry there.
IRONING: Ironing is not necessary for these scarves if you like to wear them slouchy and bunchy. However, to keep your scarf at its maximum width (wearing and washing causes the structure to contract inward an inch or two), iron away! Follow your iron's instructions based on the fiber content of the scarf, which is listed on the Lf tag that sent you here. Always go with the heat setting of the most delicate fiber in the scarf. In general, a medium heat setting with steam will be just fine.
FRINGE CARE: If after washing your fringe is tangled (and you don't want it to be), first allow the scarf to dry fully. Messing with wet fringe will only make you angry. Separate the individual tassels from each other using gentle hands. Next, lay the scarf flat on a bed or ironing board and comb through the fringe with a flat hair comb or pick, or gently tug any offenders downward into place. If that's not straight enough, iron the fringe and comb again while it is still warm. If you want tassels, don't comb out the fringe. Instead, work knot by knot, pinching the fringe at the knot with one hand, and twisting the bottom of the fringe with your forefinger and thumb of the other hand to "stick" the threads together in each bunch. A helpful hint: a spritz of water will also help "stick" the threads together as you do this.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the care or fiber content of your Lf scarf!
