Caring for Your Pieces
Quiet luxury starts with how you look after what you own.
These care notes are here to help your Atelier Orea pieces age beautifully, not quickly.
Always check the care label on your specific piece first.
If in doubt, follow the most delicate instructions.
Short version: mild liquid detergent, no bleach or softener, gentle cycles, no heat, air dry when you can.
General rules for all Atelier Orea pieces
- Use mild, liquid detergent
- No bleach, no optical brighteners, no harsh stain removers.
- Skip fabric softener and dryer sheets. They coat fibers, kill absorbency, and shorten lifespan.
- Wash on gentle cycles
- High spin and aggressive programs break fibers over time.
- Low heat is your friend
- For both washing and drying. High heat = shrinkage and stress.
- Air dry whenever you can
- Tumble-drying is fine on low occasionally, not as a daily habit.
- Natural fibers may show small variations, creases, or slubs. This is not a flaw - it is the texture of a real material, not plastic.
Towels
(Cotton and cotton-linen blends)
First wash
- Wash before first use to remove dust from weaving and open up the fibers.
- Machine wash cold or at 30°C on a gentle cycle.
- Do not use fabric softener - it reduces absorbency from day one.
- If your towel feels slightly stiff after the first wash, it will soften with a few gentle washes and regular use.
Everyday washing
- Machine wash cold or at 30°C on a gentle cycle.
- Wash with similar colors and similar weights (towels with towels, not with delicate garments).
- Do not overload the drum - friction and pressure damage the weave.
Drying
- Best: line dry or flat dry in the shade.
- Avoid tumble drying where possible.
- If you must:
- Choose low heat, remove while slightly damp, and shake out to reduce creases.
- If you use a dryer, choose low heat, remove while slightly damp, and shake out to reduce creases.
- Avoid drying directly on very hot radiators - it can make fibers brittle.
Stains
- Treat stains as soon as possible.
- Dab with cold or lukewarm water and a small amount of mild detergent.
- Avoid chlorine bleach or very strong stain removers - they weaken cotton and linen and can yellow natural tones.
Extra info you won't see on the label
- A bit of lint or shedding at the beginning is normal - it settles after a few washes.
- If a loop catches, do not pull it. Gently push it back in or trim at surface level with small scissors.
A note on color and plant-based dyes
If your piece is dyed with plant-based or low-impact dyes, expect gentle fading over years of washing and sun exposure.
This soft patina is normal - and a sign it is not coated in heavy, synthetic fixatives.
Robes - cotton and linen blends
These are your easiest-care robes.
Washing
- Machine wash cold or at 30°C on a gentle or "delicates" cycle.
- Close belts and ties, or place in a mesh laundry bag to avoid pulling.
- Wash with similar colors and similar weights.
Drying
- Best: hang or lay flat to dry, away from direct sun or direct heat.
- Avoid tumble drying where possible.
- If you must:
- Choose low heat, remove while slightly damp, and shake out to reduce crease.
Ironing
- Yes, you can iron cotton-linen robes.
- Use a low to medium setting (cotton/linen) with steam.
For best results:
- Iron while the fabric is still slightly damp, or lightly mist it.
- Iron inside out or use a pressing cloth to avoid shine on seams and belt.
Extra info you won't see on the label
- Creases relax with body heat - if you dislike ironing, shake well and wear; they will soften with use.
- Over-drying in a very hot dryer is what causes most shrinkage and roughness, not washing itself.
Robes - peace silk and plant fiber blends
(for example: cotton + peace silk + plant fiber)
These robes are more delicate and prefer cooler water and lower heat.
Washing
- Machine wash cold or at 30°C on a delicate/silk program.
- Use a mild, silk-safe detergent.
- Ideally, place the robe in a mesh laundry bag to protect it from zippers and rough fabrics.
- Never use bleach or strong enzyme detergents.
Drying
- Do not wring or twist. Gently press excess water out with your hands or between towels.
- Best: hang or lay flat to dry, away from direct sun or direct heat.
- Avoid tumble drying where possible.
- If you must: Choose low heat, remove while slightly damp, and shake out to reduce creases.
Ironing and steaming
Yes, you can iron - carefully.
- Set iron to low (silk).
- Iron inside out.
- Use a pressing cloth between iron and fabric to prevent shine or scorching.
- Steaming is often safer:
- Use a garment steamer and keep a little distance from the fabric.
- Let the robe cool and dry on a hanger after steaming.
Extra info you won't see on the label
- Silk and vegetable fibers can mark with deodorant, perfume, and body oils - avoid direct spraying on the fabric.
- Leaving these robes in a very steamy bathroom every day will shorten their life; let them air out in a drier space between uses.
Color, texture and natural dyes
- Natural and low-impact dyes can softly fade over time, especially with sun and hot washes. This is normal and a sign the fabric is not sealed in heavy coatings.
- Slubs, slight variations, and minor irregularities in weave are part of a natural fabric, not a defect.
Storage and longevity
- Hang robes on wide, sturdy hangers, not thin wire.
- Do not store textiles in plastic. Natural fibers need to breathe. Use cotton garment bags if needed.
- Make sure pieces are fully dry before folding or storing to prevent odor and mildew.
- Rotate use: giving pieces a day to rest between wears helps the fibers recover.
- Keep away from rough surfaces (Velcro, sharp wood, exposed zippers) that can snag the weave.
- If a yarn pulls, do not pull it further. Gently ease the surrounding fabric back into place or snip the loosened end at surface level with small scissors.
What to avoid - for all products
- Chlorine bleach
- Fabric softeners and dryer sheets
- Constant high-heat drying
- Aggressive stain removers
- Overloading the machine or using "heavy duty" cycles for delicate weaves
These might make a piece look "cleaner" in the short term but always shorten its life.
If something goes wrong
- Shrank slightly? Wash again on cold, skip the dryer, and stretch gently while damp.
- Feels rough or "coated"? Do one wash with no softener and a bit less detergent, then air dry.
- Persistent odor? Wash on 30°C with mild detergent, then dry fully in fresh air.
If you're unsure
If your product feels special, textured, or slightly different from what you're used to, treat it like a delicate natural fiber: low heat, gentle cycle, mild detergent, air dry.
Your pieces are designed to be used, not kept in a cupboard. The right care simply lets them stay with you longer.