Care Guides

Thoughtful care preserves the character, fit and finish of your URBBANA wardrobe. Find everyday cleaning, drying and storage guidance for clothing, footwear and accessories below.

Always follow the care label and any instructions supplied with your item. These are general guides, not a replacement for product-specific instructions. Fabric blends, linings, dyes, trims and leather finishes can change the right method. If instructions are missing or unclear, contact our team before washing or applying a treatment.

Cotton shirts

Check the care label, remove detachable collar stays and unbutton the shirt before washing. Separate whites, lights and dark colours.
If machine washing is permitted, use a gentle cold cycle with a mild detergent. Treat collars and cuffs gently with a suitable product tested on an inside seam; avoid scrubbing, prolonged soaking and bleach.
Remove promptly, smooth the seams and reshape the collar and cuffs. Hang to dry in shade. Avoid tumble drying unless the label permits it.
Iron at the temperature shown on the label, ideally while slightly damp if permitted. Press dark colours on the reverse and protect trims. Hang on a suitably sized hanger.

Cotton T-shirts & polos

Turn inside out and wash with similar colours. Where the label allows machine washing, choose a gentle cold cycle and mild detergent.
Reshape while damp, paying attention to the neckline, polo collar and hem. Dry in shade; lay heavier knits flat to avoid stretching.
Avoid high heat and tumble drying unless expressly permitted. Iron on the reverse at the labelled temperature, keeping the iron away from prints, embroidery and bonded details.
Fold for storage to help preserve the shape. Follow the more delicate care requirements of any blend or trim.

Wool suits, tailored jackets & trousers

After wearing, empty pockets, gently brush away surface dust and air the garment in a shaded, ventilated place. Allow time between wears.
Support jackets on broad, shaped hangers. Hang trousers along their existing crease and store suits in breathable garment bags once clean and completely dry.
Follow the care label for cleaning. Use a professional cleaner experienced in tailored wool when dry cleaning is specified, and clean matching pieces together when needed to keep their appearance consistent. Do not machine wash simply because the fabric is wool.
Blot spills gently with a clean white cloth; avoid rubbing or experimenting with stain removers. Tell the cleaner what caused the mark.
Use steam only where the label permits, with light application and without soaking the cloth or pressing the steamer onto it. Have sharp creases and structured areas professionally pressed. Avoid direct hot ironing, which can cause shine.
For cotton, linen or blended suits, the tailoring, lining and trims determine the cleaning method too. Use the whole garment's label rather than the fibre alone.

Leather shoes, boots & loafers

Use a shoehorn and loosen fastenings before putting shoes on or taking them off. Rotate pairs and allow them to air between wears.
For smooth finished leather, remove dust with a soft brush or cloth. Use a cleaner and a small amount of conditioner suitable for the exact finish, following the product directions and testing a hidden area first.
Polish only when appropriate for the leather and finish. Patina, hand-painted, metallic and other special finishes need specific advice before applying cleaners, creams or coloured polish.
If wet, blot gently and let the shoes dry naturally at room temperature, away from sunlight and heaters. Do not soak, machine wash or tumble dry.
Use correctly sized shoe trees without forcing the shape. Store dry shoes in breathable bags and have worn heels, soles or stitching checked by a cobbler before further damage develops.
Leather soles need time to dry after wet wear. Ask a cobbler about sole protection appropriate to the construction and intended use.

Snakeskin & python shoes

Keep genuine snakeskin away from heavy rain, soaking and direct heat. Use a shoehorn, rotate wears and support the shoes with correctly sized trees.
Remove dust with a very soft, dry cloth, moving gently in the direction the scales lie. Never scrub against the scales, lift them or pull at their edges.
Condition only with a product specifically approved for the particular snakeskin and finish. Test a tiny concealed area, allow it to dry fully and check for colour or texture changes before wider use. Apply sparingly according to its instructions.
Avoid ordinary shoe polish, household oils, alcohol-based cleaners and protective sprays unless their suitability for this exact finish has been confirmed.
Blot accidental moisture without rubbing and allow to dry naturally. Store in breathable bags in a cool, dry place out of sunlight.
Seek advice from an exotic-leather specialist for stains, lifted scales or cracking. Snake-embossed calf leather is a different material: follow the care advice for its underlying leather and finish.

Other exotic leathers

Identify the skin and finish before treating ostrich, crocodile, alligator, lizard or other exotic leather. One product is not automatically suitable for every exotic skin.
Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth. Keep scaly skins smooth by wiping with the direction of the scales, without catching their edges.
Use only a care product confirmed as suitable for the exact skin and finish. Test in a concealed area and use small amounts; do not flood textured areas or allow residue to collect.
Avoid prolonged moisture, direct sun, heat, household cleaners and heavy oils. If damp, blot and air-dry naturally.
Support the item's shape without overfilling it and store in a breathable dust bag. Refer stains, dryness, cracks or colour changes to a specialist before attempting treatment.

Suede, nubuck & sneakers

For suede and nubuck, let surface dirt dry before gently brushing with a suitable suede brush. Use only cleaners and protectors labelled for the material and finish, after a hidden-area test.
Do not apply smooth-leather polish, wax or conditioner to suede or nubuck. Take grease, ink and persistent water marks to a specialist.
Clean sneakers according to each component: leather, suede, textile, trims and soles can need different treatment. Use a soft cloth or brush and an appropriate cleaner, keeping moisture minimal.
Clean laces separately where their care instructions allow. Do not put mixed-material shoes in a washing machine or dryer unless the maker expressly permits it.
Air-dry away from heat and direct sun. For textile or velvet dress shoes, avoid soaking and seek specialist advice for stains.

Wool & cashmere knitwear

Air between wears and follow the care label. Wash only when needed, using a wool-suitable detergent and the permitted hand-wash or machine-wool method.
Avoid rubbing, wringing and sudden temperature changes. Gently press out excess water, reshape and dry flat in shade.
Fold once dry rather than hanging. Store clean garments in a dry place and inspect periodically for moth activity.
Remove light pilling carefully with a suitable knitwear comb, supporting the fabric without pulling. Follow the label for cotton, silk and blended knitwear too.

Linen, chinos, jeans & shorts

For washable linen and cotton casualwear, use a gentle cool wash with similar colours and a mild detergent, within the limits on the label.
Turn denim and dark trousers inside out, fasten zips and avoid unnecessary washing. Dark dyes can transfer, especially when damp; keep them away from pale upholstery and accessories.
Reshape and dry in shade. Avoid high-heat drying unless the label permits it. Iron linen and cotton at the labelled setting, protecting dark finishes and stretch blends.
Natural linen creasing is part of the fabric's character. Structured linen jackets, tailored trousers and lined garments may require professional cleaning.

Leather jackets, bags, belts, wallets & gloves

Remove surface dust with a soft dry cloth. Choose care products for the exact leather and finish, testing discreetly before use. Follow the separate guidance above for suede and exotic skins.
Keep leather away from prolonged sun, heaters, perfume, sanitiser and excess moisture. Blot splashes and air-dry at room temperature.
Hang leather jackets on broad hangers. Lightly support bags with clean, undyed tissue, avoid overloading wallets and store belts flat or loosely rolled.
Use breathable dust bags and keep items clean and dry before storage. Avoid plastic bags and contact with materials that may transfer dye.
Use a specialist leather cleaner for jackets, lined gloves, deep stains or significant soiling. Do not machine wash or dry clean with a general process unless the care label expressly allows it.

Silk ties, bow ties, pocket squares & scarves

Untie ties gently after use instead of pulling the narrow end through a tight knot. Let them relax before rolling loosely or hanging on a suitable tie rack.
Follow the label for cleaning. Silk dyes, linings and construction can make washing unsuitable; use a professional cleaner experienced with silk when indicated.
Blot spills without rubbing. Avoid home spot-cleaning silk with water, which may leave rings, and do not apply perfume or sanitiser directly.
If ironing is allowed, use the specified low setting with a pressing cloth and light pressure. Avoid flattening tie edges or decorative details.
For washable cotton pocket squares, use the cotton guidance. Cashmere scarves follow knitwear care; silk blends and delicate scarves follow their own labels.

Hats, accessories & special pieces

Hats and caps: follow the material-specific label, brush gently where appropriate and support the crown during storage. Avoid crushing, soaking or heat drying.
Cufflinks, tie clips, lapel pins and jewellery: wipe with a soft dry cloth and store separately. Keep away from water, perfume and cleaning chemicals; plated, stone-set and mixed-material pieces need finish-specific care.
Braces and suspenders: follow the label and keep leather tabs and metal fittings dry. Do not stretch elastic during storage or use heat to dry it.
Socks: wash according to the fibre and label, with similar colours. Wool socks need wool-appropriate care; avoid excessive heat on elastic.
Beaded, embroidered, embellished, velvet and ceremonial pieces: protect details from snagging and use a cleaner experienced with the construction. Do not brush, iron or steam directly over decoration.
For an unlisted material or an unclear label, contact URBBANA with the product name and a photograph of the care label before cleaning.

Need advice on a particular piece?

Contact URBBANA with the product name, care-label details and any relevant photographs. For footwear maintenance, explore our shoe care collection, shoe trees and shoehorns, choosing products appropriate to your material and finish.

Further care references: Woolmark wool care, SELECTED cotton care and Saphir reptile-leather care. The instructions supplied with your URBBANA item take priority.