Care Tips
How to Care for Your HerKin
Care for you. Care for the one who never stopped caring for you.
The best way to keep something beautiful is to know what it’s made of — and to treat it accordingly. We choose our fabrics the way we choose everything at HerKin: for how they feel against your skin, how they hold up to real life with a pet, and what they ask of the planet. This page tells you exactly how to care for each one, so your pieces stay soft, stay clean, and stay yours for years.
Quick Care Reference
Material Guides
Organic Cotton
Grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers, organic cotton is the fibre closest to what nature intended — soft, breathable, and gentle on sensitive skin.
For the moments when comfort is non-negotiable: a throw against your skin after a shower, a pillowcase you sleep on every night. Organic cotton gives us that “safe, nothing-to-hide” feeling without costing the soil it came from.
- Machine wash cold (30°C), gentle cycle, with a mild detergent.
- Do not bleach — bleach weakens the fibre and dulls the colour.
- Tumble dry low, or air-dry flat. High heat shrinks cotton.
- Iron on medium if you like it crisp; it will soften again with wear.
Organic cotton wrinkles honestly and softens with every wash. A few creases are not a flaw — they’re the sign of a fabric that hasn’t been over-processed.
Lyocell
Lyocell is a fibre made from wood pulp (often eucalyptus) in a closed-loop process that recycles nearly all of its water and solvents. It feels like silk and breathes like cotton.
We put Lyocell on the side of our blankets that touches your skin, because it’s smooth, cool, and wicks moisture away while you sleep. It’s the “luxury against your skin” layer — paired with something tougher on the other side, which is the whole point.
- Machine wash cold (30°C), gentle cycle, mild detergent.
- Do not bleach, do not wring — Lyocell is more delicate when wet.
- Air-dry flat for best results, or tumble dry low.
- Iron on low if needed, while still slightly damp.
Lyocell can look creased when wet, then falls back into a soft drape as it dries. Lay it flat and let it settle.
Silk
Silk is a natural protein fibre spun by silkworms — the finest, most lustrous textile in existence. It’s famously kind to skin and hair, regulates temperature (cool in summer, warm in winter), and carries a sheen no synthetic fibre can copy.
For the pieces that touch what’s most delicate — your skin while you sleep, your hair against a pillowcase. Silk means less friction (fewer sleep creases, less hair breakage) and a feel that’s simply irreplaceable. It’s the “care for yourself” fabric.
- Hand wash cold, or machine wash on the delicate / silk cycle (cold, inside a mesh bag) with a silk-specific or pH-neutral detergent. Skip ordinary alkaline detergent — it breaks down the protein fibre.
- Do not bleach, and never wring or twist — silk is at its weakest when wet.
- Air-dry flat in the shade. No tumble drying, no direct sunlight — heat and UV damage the fibre.
- Iron on low (the “silk” setting), or steam gently.
Silk is the most delicate fibre we use — and the one that rewards care the most. Treat it gently and it keeps that signature softness for years.
Linen
Linen is woven from the flax plant — one of the oldest textiles in the world, and still the best at keeping you cool in warm weather.
Linen breathes better than almost anything, gets softer every time you wash it, and only looks more beautiful as it ages. Its natural creases aren’t mess — they’re texture.
- Machine wash cold or warm, gentle cycle, mild detergent.
- Do not bleach.
- Air-dry flat or hang; skip the high-heat dryer (it adds creases and shrink).
- Iron medium-to-high while slightly damp for a crisp finish — or don’t, and enjoy the softness.
Linen will relax and soften with use. The more you live in it, the better it feels — that’s the trade-off, and we think it’s worth it.
Biodegradable Polyester
A polyester made partly from plant sources (like sugarcane or corn) instead of petroleum — engineered to be more biodegradable, while keeping the durability, quick-dry and wrinkle-resistance polyester is known for.
Some jobs need performance: a waterproof layer, a scratch-resistant surface, a fill that holds its shape. Biodegradable polyester lets us do those jobs with a smaller environmental footprint than conventional polyester — the “function” layer, made more responsibly.
- Machine wash cold, gentle cycle, mild detergent.
- Do not bleach.
- Tumble dry low, or air-dry — high heat shortens the fibre’s life.
- Low iron or none. Quick-dry means it barely needs it.
Wash it cold and it lasts longer. To further reduce microfibre release, use a laundry bag and avoid washing with rough items.
Universal Care
- Wash with similar colours; keep whites and deep colours separate.
- Use a mild, liquid detergent — no bleach, no fabric softener (softener coats the fibres and reduces absorbency).
- Cold water (30°C or below) is your default. It’s gentler on the fabric and the planet.
- Close zips and buttons before washing, and turn printed or textured pieces inside out.
- Air-dry whenever you can. If you use a dryer, always low heat.
- Pet accidents? Blot, don’t rub. Pre-treat with a mild stain remover, then wash cold.
Reading the Care Labels
Every HerKin piece carries a care label. Here’s what the symbols mean:
cold · gentle
low heat
FAQ
Can I put my HerKin blanket in the washing machine?
Yes. Every fabric we use is machine washable — cold water, gentle cycle, mild detergent. Only the drying and ironing differ by material, which the guide above covers.
Will my blanket shrink?
Natural fibres (organic cotton, linen) can relax slightly on the first wash. We size for this. Wash cold and air-dry to minimise it.
Do I need fabric softener?
No — we’d skip it. Softener coats the fibres, reduces absorbency, and dulls the texture. Our fabrics are chosen to feel good on their own.
My pet sleeps on it. How do I keep it fresh?
Wash more often, always cold. For hair, a quick tumble (no heat) or a lint brush works. For accidents, blot, pre-treat, then wash cold — never hot, which sets stains.
How do I wash silk pieces?
Hand wash cold, or use the machine’s delicate / silk cycle in a mesh bag, with a silk-specific or pH-neutral detergent. Air-dry flat in the shade and iron low. Never bleach, wring, tumble dry, or leave in direct sun.
What does “biodegradable polyester” actually mean?
The polyester is made partly from plant sources instead of petroleum, and engineered to biodegrade faster than conventional polyester. It keeps the durability and quick-dry, with a smaller footprint.