Care Instructions & Fabric Treatment
Wash it, dry it and press it the right way.
This page explains, in plain English, how to look after every category we sell — sandals, dresses, footwear and 3-piece linen sets — so your pieces keep their shape, colour and comfort for as long as possible. It is written specifically for our own products and is provided in line with UK textile labelling law and the international ISO 3758 care-labelling standard.
Care instructions you can read before you buy, not after.
Every garment and pair of footwear we sell leaves our fulfilment partners with a sewn-in or printed care label, as required by UK and EU textile labelling rules. We know, however, that most shoppers want a clear answer to "how do I wash this?" before they order — not after the parcel has arrived — so this page sets out our general care guidance for each product category we sell: sandals, dresses, footwear and 3-piece linen sets.
This page is written specifically for Selenalondon's own catalogue. It is not a generic care leaflet copied from elsewhere: the wash temperatures, drying methods and warnings below reflect the fabrics and materials typically used across our four collections, and are cross-checked against the labels our fulfilment partners attach to each item.
The label sewn into your garment always takes precedence. Fibre blends can vary slightly between colourways, print runs and restocks, so if the instructions on your physical item's label differ from the general guidance below, always follow the label — it reflects the exact fabric composition of the piece you received.
Important: incorrect washing, drying or ironing is the most common cause of a garment losing its shape or colour. Please follow the guidance for your item's category below — and its sewn-in label — before the first wash. Damage caused by not following care instructions is not treated as a manufacturing fault under our Refund & Return Policy.
What the symbols on your label actually mean.
Care labels use a standard set of internationally recognised symbols so the same instruction reads the same way in every country. Below, we explain each symbol you are likely to see on a Selenalondon item in plain text, so you never have to guess what an icon means.
Washtub symbol
A tub outline with a number inside shows the maximum machine-wash temperature in °C. A hand resting inside the tub means hand-wash only. A tub with a line underneath means use a gentle or delicate cycle.
Example: 30°C = wash at 30°C or belowTriangle symbols
A plain triangle means bleaching is permitted. A triangle with two diagonal lines means non-chlorine bleach only, when needed. A triangle with a cross through it means do not bleach under any circumstances.
Most Selenalondon items: do not bleachSquare symbols
A square with a circle inside represents tumble drying. Dots inside the circle indicate heat level: one dot means low heat, two dots medium, three dots high. A square alone, with vertical lines, means line-dry or drip-dry.
Example: one dot = tumble dry, low heatIron symbol
An iron outline with dots shows the maximum safe ironing temperature: one dot for low heat (up to roughly 110°C), two dots for medium (up to roughly 150°C), three dots for high heat. A crossed-out iron means do not iron at all.
Linen sets typically show two dotsCircle symbol
A plain circle means the item may be professionally dry-cleaned. A circle with a letter inside (commonly "P" or "F") tells a professional cleaner which solvent is suitable; as a customer you do not need to interpret the letter yourself — simply show the label to your dry cleaner.
Used only where a listing states "dry clean"Crossed-out circle
A circle with a cross through it means the item must not be dry-cleaned. This is unusual across our catalogue, as most Selenalondon pieces are designed for easy home washing rather than professional cleaning.
Applies to most sandals & footwearHanging & flat-drying icons
A square with a curved top line means hang to dry. A square containing a horizontal line means dry flat, laid on a towel — the recommended method for anything with structure, beading or a fitted lining.
Recommended for dresses with detailingWhy we still write it in words
UK textile regulations and ISO 3758 both expect care information to be understandable at a glance, so alongside each symbol we always spell out the instruction in plain text on this page and, wherever the supplier provides it, on the garment's own label.
Symbols and words, side by sideKeeping midi and printed dresses looking sharp.
Our dresses are typically made from lightweight woven or knit blends — commonly viscose, polyester, cotton or elastane mixes — chosen for drape and breathability rather than heavyweight structure. These fibres respond well to a gentle machine wash but can lose shape quickly under high heat or an aggressive spin.
Wash dresses inside out where possible, especially anything with a print, embroidery or ruffle trim, to reduce surface friction and colour rub. Close any zips before washing so the teeth don't snag delicate weave.
Ruched, ruffled or fitted styles should be reshaped by hand while still damp, then laid flat or hung to dry — this is what keeps a ruched waist or a ruffled hem sitting correctly once dry, rather than air-drying in a crumpled state.
- Wash method
- Machine wash, delicate cycle
- Temperature
- 30°C, cold with similar colours
- Bleach
- Do not bleach
- Drying
- Reshape while damp, hang or lay flat
- Tumble dryer
- Avoid; low heat only if unavoidable
- Ironing
- Low to medium heat, inside out
- Dry cleaning
- Only where the item's own label states it
Dresses — general care
Linen behaves differently to other fabrics — here's exactly why.
Our three-piece sets, including the Amelia™ Relaxed Top & Pant Set, use linen and linen-blend fabric prized for its breathability and light, travel-friendly feel. Linen is a natural plant fibre, and it behaves differently from synthetic fabrics in ways that are completely normal rather than faults.
Before the first wash
Wash linen separately for the first one or two washes. Natural dyes can release a small amount of excess colour early on, and washing alone prevents any transfer onto lighter items in the same load.
Wash & dry
Machine wash at 30°C on a gentle cycle, or hand wash in cool water. Do not bleach. Reshape while damp and either hang to dry or lay flat — avoid the tumble dryer, as high heat can shrink linen fibres.
Wrinkling is normal
Linen creases easily by nature; this is a characteristic of the fibre, not a manufacturing defect or a sign of poor quality. A relaxed, slightly creased finish is part of how linen is meant to look and wear.
Ironing linen
Iron while still slightly damp, on a medium-heat setting, ideally on the reverse side of the fabric to protect any print or dye. Avoid pressing directly over decorative trims or the open-front layering piece's edges.
Footwear is not machine washable — here's what to do instead.
Comfort & orthopedic-style sandals
Our sandals use synthetic or textile straps with cushioned, orthopedic-style footbeds. Wipe the upper straps with a soft, slightly damp cloth and a small amount of mild soap, then wipe again with a clean damp cloth to remove any residue. Do not machine wash, soak, or submerge the footbed — prolonged water exposure can break down the cushioning and adhesive that hold the sole together.
Let sandals air-dry naturally at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and radiators. Direct heat can dry out and crack synthetic uppers, and strong sun can fade coloured straps unevenly over time.
Heeled sandals & slip-on shoes
Heeled styles and slip-on orthopedic-style shoes should be spot-cleaned in the same way: a soft cloth, mild soap, then a clean damp wipe. Keep the heel and sole dry, and avoid walking through standing water where possible, as prolonged moisture can loosen the bond between the sole and upper.
Store footwear flat or upright in a cool, dry place rather than stacked or compressed, and use a shoe bag or the original box if you have limited storage space, to help the shape hold between wears.
Do not put sandals, heels or slip-on shoes in a washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher. None of our footwear is designed for machine washing; doing so can permanently damage the footbed, sole bonding and any decorative trim, and is not covered as a manufacturing fault under our Refund & Return Policy.
What to expect from colour and natural fibres over time.
Wash dark and bright colours separately
Deep tones such as burgundy, black and navy, and any strongly printed fabric, may release a small amount of dye during the first few washes. Always wash these separately from white or pale-coloured pieces for at least the first two to three washes.
Cotton-blend pieces may shrink slightly
Where a listing includes cotton, a small amount of shrinkage (typically within a few percent) can occur after the first wash, even at low temperatures — this is standard behaviour for natural fibres and is why we recommend washing at or below the stated temperature rather than above it.
Linen wrinkles; viscose can be delicate wet
Linen creases easily by nature, as explained above. Viscose-blend fabrics, common in our dresses, become noticeably weaker when wet, so handle them gently during washing and avoid wringing — press out excess water instead.
For anything more delicate than an everyday wash.
Where a dress or set features beading, embroidery or an appliqué trim, hand wash cold in place of a machine cycle, and avoid rubbing directly over the decoration. Lay flat to dry, decoration facing up, so trims are not crushed under the weight of the fabric.
Treat marks as soon as possible. Gently blot — never rub — with a clean, damp cloth to lift as much of the mark as you can before washing. Test any stain remover on a hidden seam allowance first, since strong products can affect colour, and avoid soaking coloured linen or viscose for long periods.
Hang dresses and linen tops on padded or wide hangers to avoid shoulder marks; fold linen trousers along their natural seam lines rather than hanging them, which reduces stretching at the waistband. Store sandals and shoes away from direct heat sources and out of damp areas to prevent mildew or sole degradation.
If your item's own label recommends dry cleaning — typically for structured linings or heavier embellishment — take it to a professional cleaner and show them the label rather than machine washing at home. Where no dry-clean symbol appears on the label, home washing following the guidance above is appropriate.
Care-related wear versus a genuine fault — how we tell the difference.
Most issues customers describe as "damage" — colour bleeding into other clothes, a shrunk hemline, a cracked sandal strap — trace back to a wash, dry or storage step that differed from the guidance on this page or the item's own label. We explain this openly so you can avoid it in the first place, not to make it harder to get help when something genuinely is wrong.
If an item arrives faulty, is not as described, or develops a fault through normal use rather than through incorrect care, our Refund & Return Policy applies in full, including your 30-day return window. If you are ever unsure whether a mark or change in your item is a care issue or a fault, contact us with a photo before you wash it again — we are always glad to advise.
Unsure how to care for a specific item? Email contact@selenalondon.com with the product name or order number, and we will confirm the exact wash, dry and iron settings for that piece.
Why this page exists in the form it does.
United Kingdom
Under the Textile Products (Labelling and Fibre Composition) Regulations 2012, textile products sold in the UK must carry accurate fibre-composition information, and the Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires goods to be as described and fit for purpose. Publishing clear care guidance before purchase, alongside the item's own label, supports both requirements and helps you get the fit, feel and lifespan you expect from every order.
France
JLA Marketing, the French company operating Selenalondon, follows the French Consumer Code's (Code de la consommation) pre-contractual information duties, which require essential characteristics of a product — including how to care for it — to be made available before a customer commits to a purchase, consistent with the EU/UK-wide adoption of the ISO 3758 care-labelling standard referenced throughout this page.
We're glad to talk you through any item's care before you buy.
Email & live chat
Email contact@selenalondon.com or use live chat on the site. We aim to respond within 24 hours on business days.
Call us
Phone: +33 7 54 00 67 18. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:00 CET.
Support hours
Monday–Friday, 09:00–17:00 Central European Time (Paris). Our team replies within 24 hours on business days.