To protect your clothes from being damaged and preserve their heirloom quality, please follow the care instructions below. Our hand-smocked garments are crafted with delicate embroidery and fine stitching, so proper care will keep them soft, vibrant, and beautiful for years to come.
Use a Dye Trapping Sheet: Always add a Shout Color Catcher sheet (or similar dye-trapping sheet) into the wash. It acts as a magnet for loose dye floating in the water before it can settle into the light background fabric.
Cold Water Only: Heat loosens set dyes in cotton embroidery floss. Wash in cold water only using the delicate or hand-wash cycle, or wash gently by hand in a sink.
Bleach-Free Detergent: Choose a gentle, mild detergent. Avoid harsh stain removers, optical brighteners, or bleach directly on or near the smocking plate.
Never Soak or Leave Wet: This is where most color bleeds happen. Do not let smocked items sit in a wet sink or damp inside the washing machine drum. The moment the cycle ends, remove the garment immediately.
Air Dry Immediately: Lay the garment flat on a clean, dry white towel or hang it to dry away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Do not tumble dry in hot heat.
Dry Clean Optional: While following these washing steps is recommended, professional dry cleaning is also safe for this garment.
