How to care for natural fibre clothing

There are many reasons to choose natural fibres for your clothing. The fabric made from natural fibers is typically more breathable so your body is better able to regulate its temperature, making it more comfortable (and less sweaty!) to wear. Natural fibres are also grown from renewable resources and biodegradable, so can be less impactful on the environment. Also, garments made from natural materials usually sit more beautifully on the body and feel amazing to wear! And, with care, they can last longer.

The Miinimbi (Whale) print by artist Jacqui Hunter on the Button Down Shift Dress on 100% linen. Photo by Michael Jalaru Torres.

Each Magpie Goose garment is made from 100% natural fibres. Our fabrics are hand screen printed with water-based inks, and then crafted into high-quality garments. We have a few tips for keeping your pieces in great shape. After all, the longer a garment lasts, the lower your wardrobe’s environmental footprint – which is another way of caring for Country. 

Here is a list of fabrics you’ll find at Magpie Goose:

• Mid and heavier weight linens
• Polished cotton poplin
• Cotton drill
• Organic cotton jersey
• Tencel linen blend

For any garment, always start by checking the label for care instructions.

How to care for linen

Linen is a strong, durable and breathable fibre, as well as smooth on the skin. Linens last longer if they’re hand washed. To hand wash, fill a clean sink with cool water and mild detergent. Gently massage your clothes then drain the soapy water, and rinse with cool water until it runs soap-free. If you machine wash, use a short or delicate cycle with cold or lukewarm water, and ensure you wash with like-colours to avoid colours running.

This Aarli (Salmon) print by Russel Davey is printed on 100% linen. Photo by Georgia Wallace.

Avoid wringing out your linens to dry because they can wrinkle easily. Instead, use a towel to absorb excess water and hang to drip dry in the shade. Avoid the tumble dryer (though most linens are safe to dry clean, especially best for more structured pieces like suit jackets). 

Be mindful of how you fold or hang your linen garments and use hangers as much as possible to avoid creasing in your clothes! Before wearing you can use a warm iron on the reverse side will ensure any prints are preserved. Better yet, get yourself a hand held garment steamer – you won’t regret it! Steaming your clothes not only gets out wrinkles but it also kills odor-causing bacteria.

How to care for Cotton

Cotton is a highly absorbent, flexible and soft fibre. Follow the same handwashing process as with linen above, using cool temperatures and a gentle cycle if washing by machine. When drying cotton, stretching is a risk, so laying flat to dry can help maintain the size and shape of your garment. 

Our Big Tee shirts are screen printed cotton jersey. Photo by Georgia Wallace. 

Cotton has less ‘memory’ than linen, so its creases are easier to steam or iron out. With woven cottons, like poplins and drills, it’s best to hang garments, but jerseys (the stretch fabric used for t-shirts and sweatpants) can be rolled and stored in drawers. 

How to care for Tencel

Tencel is a brand of lyocell fibre, which is made from the wood pulp sourced from closely managed forests, that’s very soft and almost silky in nature. Like linen and cotton, high temperatures are damaging to Tencel, so cold, gentle hand washing and cool, reverse-side ironing will help your garment last longer. 

The All-Day Robe in Mangroves is 70% tencel, 30% linen. Photo by Georgia Wallace.