Garment care

85% of dry cleaners use a nasty chemical called Perc that’s linked to respiratory issues, birth defects and air pollution. Skip the standard dry cleaning and opt for green dry cleaners--a non-toxic, environmentally safe alternative. These cleaners often use CO₂ or water as the primary solvent, but they have fancy equipment so it’s not like washing it at home. Even if your cleaners advertises as "green" or "organic," be sure to ask if they use Perc, hydrocarbons, or D-5 cleaners, and be sure to avoid the toxic stuff. Just say no to Perc.

We have a few green cleaners we recommend in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City. A few near our stores offer deals for Reformation customers so be sure to mention the discount when you drop off! If you don’t live in these cities, try searching for eco cleaners in your area using sites like No Dry Clean, or Yelp.

Fill a sink with cold water. Add a tablespoon of delicate soap--scan the label and choose a plant-based detergent free of fragrance, optical brighteners, chlorine, and phosphates that are all bad for you and the environment. We recommend brands like Seventh Generation, Meyer’s, Honest Company, Method, or Earth Friendly Products. Place your item into the water and gently swirl it around for a few minutes. Drain and refill the sink with clean, cold water. Rinse your garment by swishing it around once more, and then gently press it to remove excess water. Be careful to not wring or twist, as this can distort its shape. Reshape the garment on a dry towel. Roll up the towel, pressing as you go, to help extract the water still left in the garment. Finally, reshape the garment, and lay it flat on a drying rack or on a fresh towel to air dry.

Wash clothes in cold water, as opposed to warm or hot, and always wait until you have a full load. Scan the label and choose a plant-based detergent free of fragrance, optical brighteners, chlorine, and phosphates that are all bad for you and the environment. We recommend brands like Seventh Generation, Meyer’s, Honest Company, Method, or Earth Friendly Products. Hang or lay flat to dry.

A lot of fabrics can be steamed or ironed on a low setting, but we recommend you test a small area first. Use a dry iron on low for anything structured like a blazer or jacket--do not steam as it may affect the shape. If a fabric is shiny or has embellishments, do not iron.

An eco-friendly spray will protect your shoes from water, liquid, oils, dust, or just plain fading. Before wearing your shoes for the first time, we recommend spraying them and then reapplying the spray every few months.

The first step to making your shoes last is proper care. In addition to spraying them with an eco-friendly spray, it is best to keep the shoes in a cool, dry environment. Also, polishing your leather shoes works well to keep them looking practically new.

Rotating the shoes you wear can also help reduce the wear and tear on the soles. But if you start to notice the soles looking super worn, you can take them to a shoe repair shop to get them resoled.

We don’t recommend wearing your leather or suede shoes in extreme weather conditions—especially rain—because they aren’t meant to get wet. If your shoes get wet, try to towel off as much water as you can as soon as you can. We recommend air drying your shoes in a cool, dry environment away from heat. You can also stuff the inside of the shoe with newspaper or a towel to help soak up any excess moisture. If the shoe is leather or suede, once it is dry, follow up with a polish and conditioner to help restore the appearance.

Start by brushing off dirt and dust on your shoes with a damp cloth or soft brush. Then we recommend using an all-natural cleaner to help restore the original texture of the material. Apply your choice of cleaner to the shoe per the care instructions and finish by applying a polish and/or conditioner of your choice.