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eClergys.com Care Guide

Care Guide & Fabric Tips

Every cassock, habit, robe and shirt we send out is cut from a fabric chosen for its own reasons — drape, breathability, discipline of wear. Care for it the way it was made to be cared for, and it will serve your ministry for years to come.

5 fabrics covered Wool add-on included
Before you begin

Match the care to the fabric

Below you'll find washing, drying, ironing and storage guidance for each fabric we use across our vestment and habit ranges, plus wool — offered as an add-on across every listing. When in doubt, treat any garment with embroidery, piping, buttons or lining as a dry-clean piece.

Machine wash
Dry clean
Tumble dry
Iron
Do not bleach
W
Fabric W

Wool

Available as an add-on option across all listings
Premium add-on
Washing
Dry clean only. Wool's fibres felt and shrink under water and agitation, so this is not a home-wash fabric regardless of which garment it's added to.
Drying
Never tumble dry. Air out on a padded hanger between wears instead of frequent cleaning.
Ironing
Cool iron with a damp pressing cloth, or steam from a distance. Direct heat can scorch and glaze wool fibres.
Bleach
Never bleach wool in any form — it breaks down the protein fibre.
Storage
Store folded, not hung long-term, with cedar or lavender rather than mothballs, in a breathable bag away from damp.
Note: Because wool is offered as an upgrade on cassocks, robes, suits, vestments, habits and shirts alike, this care applies to the wool portion of any of those garments — check your individual label for the exact blend.

Available as an add-on when ordering from any collection — ask at checkout or contact us to add it to your item.

A
Fabric A

Tropical Suiting

Cassocks, Clergy Robes, Chimere, Clergy Suits & Vestments
Washing
Dry cleaning keeps the drape and shoulder shaping intact. If washing at home, use cold water on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent, alone or with like colours.
Drying
Hang on a sturdy, shaped hanger. If tumble drying is unavoidable, use the lowest heat for the shortest time.
Ironing
Low-to-medium synthetic setting with a pressing cloth; steam lightly rather than pressing hard.
Bleach
Never chlorine bleach. A little oxygen-based stain remover is fine for spot treatment.
Storage
Broad, padded hanger in a breathable garment bag, away from direct sunlight.
Note: Resists wrinkling by design — a quick steam is usually enough between full cleanings.

Used across:

Cassocks & RobesChimereClergy SuitsVestments
B
Fabric B

Pure Cotton

Nuns' Habit
Washing
Machine wash warm or cold, normal or gentle cycle, with similar colours. Durable and handles regular washing well.
Drying
Tumble dry low or line dry for the best fibre life. Remove promptly to reduce deep-set wrinkles.
Ironing
Irons best slightly damp, medium-to-hot. Press pleats and collar first, then the body.
Bleach
Chlorine safe only on white, undyed cotton; use oxygen-based bleach on coloured habits.
Storage
Fold or hang somewhere dry and ventilated — let it air fully before storing to avoid mildew.
Note: Expect 2–5% shrinkage on the first wash — normal, and accounted for in sizing.

Used across:

Nuns' Habit
C
Fabric C

Raw Cotton

Monks' Habit
Washing
Wash separately at first in cold water, by hand or on the gentlest cycle. Softens and settles over the first several washes.
Drying
Air dry flat or in the shade — tumble drying can pull the looser weave out of shape.
Ironing
Medium heat while still a little damp; avoid high heat.
Bleach
Do not bleach — it strips the fibre's natural texture.
Storage
Skip fabric softener. Store fully dry, folded, in a breathable space.
Note: Slub, colour variation and a firmer initial hand are natural, not flaws — it softens with wear.

Used across:

Monks' Habit
D
Fabric D

Poly-Cotton

Clergy Shirts, Albs & Rochets
Washing
Machine wash warm or cold, normal cycle — built for regular, easy laundering.
Drying
Tumble dry low and remove promptly; overdrying can set wrinkles.
Ironing
Light press on low heat, or smooth by hand while still warm from the dryer.
Bleach
Avoid chlorine, which yellows the polyester over time; oxygen-based bleach is fine.
Storage
Hang immediately after drying to keep collar and cuffs crisp.
Note: The most wash-and-wear-friendly fabric in the range — ideal for weekly rotation.

Used across:

Shirts — Men'sShirts — Women'sAlbs & Rochets
Across every garment

General care principles we build every label around

Read first

Follow the sewn-in label

This guide covers our fabrics in general; the label sewn into your specific garment always takes precedence if it differs.

Default setting

Cold water, mild detergent

Cold water protects colour and fibre strength across all fabrics and is our default recommendation unless noted otherwise.

Load separately

Wash trims and vestments apart

Keep embroidered, piped or buttoned garments away from zips and heavier items that could snag threads or trim.

Act fast

Treat stains before washing

Blot — never rub — a fresh stain and pre-treat it, so it lifts in the wash rather than setting into the weave.

Out of the sun

Skip direct sunlight

Dry all garments out of direct sun. Every fabric here will fade or discolour with prolonged UV exposure.

Right hanger

Store the right way

Broad, padded hangers for structured robes and suits; folded, breathable storage for habits, wool and shirts.


Care guide compiled for reference: always follow the label attached to your individual garment — it takes precedence over the general guidance above, including for wool add-ons. Questions? Email support@eclergys.com.

Ready to shop?

Browse our full range of clergy robes and cassocks at eClergys.com — with a wool upgrade available on request.

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