How-to Guide
Sukajan Care Guide
Six honest steps to keep your embroidered Sukajan jacket looking like the day you opened the box — for years, not seasons.
Quick Answer
How to clean a Sukajan jacket: hand wash in cold water with a mild detergent, rinse twice, press water out with a towel, dry flat away from sunlight, and store on a broad padded hanger. Never machine dry, never iron embroidery, never use bleach.
The six steps
Wash & dry your Sukajan
- 01
Spot test before any wash
Dab a hidden seam with a damp white cloth to check for thread bleed. If any colour transfers, stop immediately and take the jacket to a specialist dry cleaner. This is non-negotiable on vintage and high-density pieces.
Takes 30 seconds. Saves the jacket.
- 02
Cold hand wash with mild detergent
Fill a clean basin with cold water (15–20°C / 60–68°F) and a teaspoon of pH-neutral wool/silk wash. Submerge the jacket inside out with the zip closed. Gently press water through the fabric for 30 seconds — never twist or scrub the embroidery.
Recommended detergents: Eucalan, Soak, The Laundress Delicate Wash.
- 03
Rinse twice in clean cold water
Drain the basin and refill with fresh cold water. Press the jacket gently to release detergent. Repeat once more — two clean rinses ensure no soap residue remains in the fabric or thread.
Cloudy water on the second rinse means a third rinse is needed.
- 04
Press water out — never wring
Lift the jacket flat from the water (do not pick it up by the shoulders). Lay it on a clean dry towel. Roll the towel up like a sushi mat and press to absorb moisture. Repeat with a second dry towel if needed.
Wringing distorts embroidery thread permanently.
- 05
Air dry flat, away from sunlight
Lay the jacket on a fresh dry towel in a well-ventilated room out of direct sunlight. Reshape the shoulders and sleeves while damp. Replace the towel after 4–6 hours. Drying takes 24–48 hours total.
Direct sun fades embroidery thread within hours.
- 06
Store on a broad / padded hanger
Once fully dry, hang on a wide wooden or padded hanger inside a breathable cotton garment bag. For long-term storage, add cedar blocks (not mothballs). Avoid wire hangers and plastic bags — both destroy satin over months.
Plastic traps moisture and yellows satin over time.
Reference
Do's and don'ts
Do
- Use a delicates mesh bag if you must machine wash a lower-tier piece
- Steam from 10cm distance — never iron embroidery directly
- Treat stains immediately with cold water and a soft cloth
- Rotate jackets to give satin a rest day between heavy wears
- Photograph annually in similar lighting to track any colour shift
- Spot clean from outside in to prevent stain spreading
Don't
- No tumble dry — heat permanently warps embroidery threads
- No bleach, no chlorine, no enzyme detergents
- No direct sunlight drying — thread colours fade fast
- No folding for long-term storage — creases form on satin
- No wringing or twisting wet fabric
- No iron contact with embroidered areas
Long term
The annual care routine
For a Sukajan in regular rotation, this routine keeps it in heirloom condition.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| After every wear | Hang on padded hanger, allow to air for 1–2 hours. |
| Spot clean | Address marks immediately with cold water and a soft cloth. |
| Every 6–8 wears | Hand wash following the six-step method above. |
| Off-season | Clean once before storing; padded hanger inside cotton garment bag. |
| Annually | Specialist dry clean for jackets in heavy rotation. |
| Every 3–5 years | Check stitching at cuffs, waistband, zip seams; minor repairs. |
Keep reading
Related guides
Long-form
Care & storage deep dive
The 2,500-word version with stain handling, vintage piece notes, and travel storage.
Sizing
Size Guide
International sizing chart with chest, shoulder, sleeve, and length measurements.
Pillar
Sukajan Guide
Full pillar guide on Sukajan history, motifs, and how to choose your first piece.