Caring for Your Hand-Marbled Garment
Every Erised piece is individually hand-marbled, which means the colours, patterns, and tonal variation you see are entirely one-of-a-kind. This guide will help you keep your garment looking its best for years to come.
First Wash — Read This Before Anything Else
The first wash is the most important. Hand-marbled and hand-dyed fabrics can release a small amount of excess dye in early washes — this is a natural characteristic of the craft, not a defect.
- Wash your garment alone for the first 1–2 washes. Do not wash it with light-coloured or white items.
- Use cold water only. Cold water minimises dye release and helps the colours set.
- Hand wash gently. Submerge the garment in cold water, move it through the water softly, and avoid wringing or scrubbing.
- Rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear.
Ongoing Wash Care
- Always hand wash in cold water with a gentle, colour-safe detergent - Avoid detergents with optical brighteners or bleach, which can damage the marbled pattern over time.
- Keep washes brief — prolonged soaking can affect the fabric.
- Continue to separate from light-coloured items as a precaution, particularly with darker-hued pieces.
Water Temperature
Cold water only — always. Hot or warm water accelerates dye migration and can cause distortion of the marbled pattern.
Drying
- Do not tumble dry.
- Hang to dry in the shade. Direct sunlight causes colours to fade over time — especially the rich, mineral-inspired tones we use in our marbling process.
- Gently reshape the garment while damp to maintain its original form.
Storage
- Store folded or on a padded hanger, away from direct light.
- Avoid storing in plastic bags or airtight containers — breathable fabric or cotton garment bags are ideal.
- Keep away from damp environments to prevent mildew on natural fibres.
Natural Marbling Variation vs. Dye Migration — What's the Difference?
We know this question comes up often, and it's a good one.
Natural marbling variation is intentional. Each piece is marbled by hand on water, so the swirls, feathering, gradients, and tonal shifts you see are unique to your garment alone. No two pieces are identical — this is the art.
Dye migration (colour bleeding) is something different — it's when dye transfers onto other fabrics or surfaces during washing or contact with moisture. Our garments have been tested for colorfastness and are confirmed colourfast under the care conditions described on this page. Proper cold-water hand washing and separating from light items in early washes is sufficient to protect both your garment and other clothing.
If you notice unusual colour transfer after following these care steps, please contact us — we want to make it right.
Ironing & Pressing
- Iron on a low setting, inside-out.
- Avoid steam directly on the marbled surface.
- Use a pressing cloth for best results.
A Note from Our Production Team
These care instructions reflect what our production team has verified and approved. Hand-marbling is an ancient craft — each piece takes time, skill, and intention. Following this guide ensures your garment remains as vivid and alive as the day it was made.
Questions? We're always happy to help — reach out to us here.
