Taking care of your pocket square 

Wearing your pocket square with style is great, but you still need to know how to take care of it. In linen, cotton, silk or wool, that essential accessory requires a great attention. Here are a few tips to help you keep your pocket squares in shape.

Someone once said: « the cleanliness of your pocket square reveals the purity of your soul », I can’t figure out who that was though…

Cotton.  Certainly the most simple material to wash, the cotton handles high temperatures. We advise you to wash it at 60°C for the plain white cotton or 40°C for the coloured ones.

Using bleach is risk-free on white cotton, the only inconvenient being that awful disinfected swimming pool odour.

Cotton isn’t in danger either with a dryer, however just be careful to dry it at a low temperature if it is not plain white.

Finally, to get rid of those ungraceful rucks, warm up your flatiron and iron i tat high temperature.

Linen can be washed at high temperature, 60°C for the plain white ones, and 40°C for the coloured linens. Linen is a very light material that creases easily: high temperature ironing is thus necessary. Use a lot of steam on a slightly humid pocket square.

However, it is not advised to use a dryer with your linen handkerchiefs, you would rather have it dry at the fresh air. For the white ones, dry it under the sun. I’m sure you’ve heard this from your granny before.

Silk and wool. First of all, congratulations to those who own silk and/or wool pocket squares, this choice shows great taste. Nevertheless, you haven’t chose the easiest textile to wash… Indeed, it is impossible to casually throw these delicate fabrics in your washing machine.

Silk and wool can be hand washed in cool or lukewarm water, using only a small amount of soap.

Do not spin dry your pocket squares and do not use a dryer, instead roll them up in a bath towel and press them gently in order to remove the water. Finally let it dry preferably on a flat surface, avoiding direct sunlight and heat sources.

You can iron silk and wool, but only at very low temperature. The best way is to put a piece of cloth on top of it, to avoid direct contact with the iron.

Be careful with clothes moth with your wool items. To avoid the premature death of your beloved pocket square, do not hesitate to use moth proofer.

It is understood that those small tips apply to you if you choose to wash your pocket squares yourself. But if you decide not to loose yourself in wash cycles, detergents, or ironing, go to your dry cleaner. They still do the best job!