Accessories Care Guide
Always follow the care information accompanying your item as the first point of reference. This guide is here to help you protect, clean and extend the life of your accessories.
Sterling Silver (925)
Wipe with a soft, dry cloth after each wear to remove oils and moisture. For tarnish, use a specialist silver polishing cloth or a small amount of mild soap in warm water. Rinse and dry thoroughly. Store in an anti-tarnish pouch or lined jewellery box, away from air and humidity.
Avoid: chlorine, saltwater, perfume, hairspray and lotions. Remove before swimming, exercise and showering.
Gold Plated
Gold plating is a fine layer. Handle it gently. Wipe with a soft, dry cloth after wearing. Clean occasionally with a damp cloth only; no chemicals or abrasives. Store pieces separately to prevent scratching. Reapplication of plating may be needed over time with regular wear.
Avoid: perfume, lotions, hairspray and sweat directly on plated surfaces. Always dress first, jewellery last.
Silver Plated
Similar care to gold plated. Gentle handling extends the life of the plating considerably. Wipe dry after each wear. Use a silver polishing cloth very lightly if tarnishing appears. Store in a soft pouch away from other pieces.
Avoid: abrasive cleaners, ultrasonic cleaners, and prolonged contact with moisture or chemicals.
Semi-Precious Stones
Most semi-precious stones are sensitive to chemicals and extreme temperatures. Wipe clean with a soft, barely damp cloth. Some stones (turquoise, opal, pearls) are particularly porous. Keep them dry. Store individually in soft pouches to prevent scratching between pieces.
Avoid: ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaning, chemicals, and prolonged sun exposure which can fade colour.
Pearl
Pearls are organic and among the most delicate of gems. Wipe with a very soft, damp cloth after every wear. Body oils and acids degrade the nacre over time. Restring pearl necklaces periodically if worn regularly. Store flat (not hanging) in a soft cloth, away from other jewellery.
Avoid: all chemicals including perfume, hairspray, and cleaning products. Never submerge in water. Pearls should be the last thing on and the first thing off.
Resin & Glass
Wipe clean with a soft, dry cloth. Resin can be sensitive to heat. Avoid leaving pieces in direct sunlight or in a hot car, as this can warp or discolour. Glass pieces can chip if knocked; store individually with padding between pieces.
Avoid: harsh chemicals, abrasive cloths, and high heat. Handle with care. Resin and glass can crack under impact.
Costume Jewellery
Typically a mix of base metals, acrylic, enamel, and glass. Wipe clean with a dry cloth only. Water and chemicals accelerate tarnishing and deterioration of finishes. Store in a dry environment, ideally in individual pouches or a compartmented box.
Avoid: moisture, perfume and lotions. Remove before water activities or exercise. These pieces are for occasional wear. Heavy daily use will shorten their life.
Separate pieces
Store each piece individually in a soft pouch or compartmented box. Chains, clasps, and stones can scratch each other when stored together.
Away from air & moisture
Anti-tarnish pouches or strips in a closed jewellery box significantly slow tarnishing on silver and plated pieces.
Hang necklaces
Store chains and necklaces hanging where possible to prevent tangling. Lay flat if delicate.
Away from sunlight
UV fades coloured stones, enamel, and resin. Keep your jewellery box away from windowsills and direct light.
Clean before storing
Always wipe pieces dry before putting them away. Oils, sweat, and product residue left on jewellery accelerates tarnishing and wear.
Perfume & hairspray
Always apply fragrance and styling products before putting on jewellery. Alcohol and propellants in sprays are particularly damaging to plated finishes and pearls.
Chlorine & saltwater
Remove all jewellery before swimming. Chlorinated pools and seawater are highly corrosive to metals, stones, and plating.
Lotions & oils
Body lotions, sunscreen and oils coat stones and metals, dulling their appearance and accelerating tarnish. Apply and allow to absorb before dressing.
Sleeping & exercising
Remove jewellery before bed and exercise. Movement, sweat, and pressure cause unnecessary wear and risk of loss or damage.
Hard surfaces
Granite benchtops, stone surfaces, and rough timber can scratch metals and chip stones. Always place jewellery on a soft surface when removing.
Leather
Wipe down regularly with a soft, dry cloth. For deeper cleaning, use a specialist leather cleaner applied with a soft cloth in gentle circular motions. Condition every few months with a leather conditioner to keep the hide supple and prevent cracking. Stuff with tissue when not in use to maintain shape. Store in a dust bag or breathable cotton pillowcase, never plastic.
Avoid: direct sunlight, heat sources, rain and moisture. If the bag gets wet, allow to dry naturally away from heat. Never use a hair dryer.
Fabric & Canvas
Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap as needed. For more stubborn marks, a soft-bristle brush with gentle detergent works well. Test on a hidden area first. Allow to air dry fully before storing. Keep dust bags on when stored and avoid overfilling, which distorts the structure.
Avoid: machine washing unless specifically recommended by the brand. Do not iron directly onto fabric bags with embellishments or structure.
Basket & Woven
Wipe with a barely damp cloth to remove surface dust and dirt. Allow to dry fully in a well-ventilated space. For natural fibres (raffia, rattan, seagrass), a very light brush can help lift dust from the weave. Reshape gently while damp if the basket has lost its form. Store in a cool, dry place. Avoid humidity, which can cause natural fibres to warp or develop mould.
Avoid: submerging in water, direct sun for extended periods (which can bleach and dry out natural fibres), and overpacking which can break or split weaves.
Beaded & Embellished
Handle with great care. Beads, sequins, and embellishments are glued or stitched and can loosen with friction or moisture. Spot clean very gently around embellishments with a barely damp cloth. Store flat or stuffed lightly with tissue, never crushed under other items. Use a dust bag at all times.
Avoid: rubbing embellished surfaces, overpacking, and all moisture directly on beads or sequins. Do not dry clean without checking the label.
Hardware & Metal Details
Polish metal hardware occasionally with a soft, dry cloth to prevent tarnishing and maintain shine. For stubborn tarnish, a microfibre cloth slightly dampened works well. Dry immediately. When storing, wrap hardware in tissue paper to prevent it scratching the bag body or other pieces nearby.
Avoid: metal polish products on the bag body. Stack bags carefully. Hardware on one bag easily scratches the leather or fabric of another.
General Bag Care
Empty bags before storing. The weight of contents left inside over time can distort the base. Rotate bags regularly rather than using one constantly. For designer and investment pieces, always retain the original dust bag and store with silica gel sachets to control moisture. For light-coloured bags, be especially mindful of colour transfer from dark denim or printed fabrics.
Leather Shoes & Heels
Wipe clean after each wear with a soft cloth. Use a matching shoe cream or polish to nourish the leather and restore colour. Cedar shoe trees help maintain shape and absorb moisture. Store in dust bags or shoe boxes. Do not stack. Resoling and heel replacement by a cobbler extends the life considerably.
Avoid: wearing in heavy rain without a water-repellent treatment. Allow leather to dry fully and naturally if wet before wearing again.
Fabric & Textile
Brush off surface dirt when dry. Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap. For Forte Forte fabric styles, check for a care label inside. Many can be lightly hand-cleaned. Allow to air dry fully. A suede brush works well for napped fabric uppers.
Avoid: machine washing unless specifically stated. Do not use heat to dry. It can warp the sole and distort shape.
Velvet Slippers
Brush velvet uppers gently with a soft velvet or clothes brush to lift the pile and remove surface dust. Spot clean only. Water can mark velvet permanently. Use a velvet refresher spray for odours. Store in dust bags away from light, which fades velvet quickly. Best suited to indoor or light wear.
Avoid: wet conditions entirely. Velvet slippers (including Italian Velvet styles) are not weather-resistant and water will permanently damage the pile.
Trainers & Rubber Soles
Clean uppers with a damp cloth or specialist trainer cleaning kit. For Philippe Model styles, use a soft brush on any canvas or leather panels. Clean rubber soles with a firm brush and mild soap. Laces can be removed and hand washed separately. Allow to air dry fully. Never place near a radiator or in direct sun.
Avoid: machine washing unless specified by the brand. High heat distorts soles and adhesives.
Pedro Garcia & Heeled Styles
These investment pieces reward careful storage. Use the original box or dust bags, stuffed with tissue to hold shape. Wipe leather and suede uppers clean after each wear. For suede, use a specialist suede brush and protector spray. Heels can be retipped by a cobbler when worn down. Do this promptly as worn tips damage floors and affect posture.
Avoid: cobblestones and uneven terrain in heeled styles where possible. These shoes are crafted for quality surfaces and careful wear.
Fur & Fur-Trimmed Styles
Shake gently after wearing to restore the fur. Brush lightly with a soft brush in the direction of the hair. For spots, dab very gently with a barely damp cloth. Never rub. Allow to air dry naturally. Store in a cool, ventilated space. Avoid compression, which mats the fur. Professional fur cleaning is recommended for significant soiling.
Avoid: heat, direct sunlight, plastic bags, and moisture. Never store compressed under other items.
Leather belts
Wipe clean with a soft, dry cloth after wearing. Condition annually with a leather conditioner, particularly around the buckle hole which take the most stress. Store rolled or hanging, not folded, to prevent crease marks.
Buckle & hardware
Polish metal buckles with a soft cloth. Avoid metal polish touching the leather. Check that buckle prongs are secure. A loose prong puts strain on the belt hole with each fastening.
Avoid over-tightening
Using a belt on a tighter notch than usual stresses the leather at the hole. Repeated over-use of a single hole causes premature cracking at that point.
Storage
Hang belts on a dedicated hook or roll loosely and store in a drawer. Avoid folding double for extended periods as this permanently creases the leather.
Water & staining
If a leather belt gets wet, blot with a dry cloth and allow to dry away from heat. Treat water stains by dampening the entire belt evenly and drying flat to prevent tide marks.
Silk scarves
Hand wash in cool water with a pH-neutral detergent, or dry clean. Never wring. Roll in a towel to absorb moisture. Press on a cool setting using a pressing cloth. Store rolled or flat. Never on a hook, which distorts silk.
Wool & cashmere scarves
Hand wash in cool water with a wool-safe detergent. Lay flat to dry. Fold and store in a drawer with a cedar block. Never hang, as this stretches the knit over time.
Cotton & linen scarves
Machine wash on a gentle, cool cycle per the care label. Iron on a medium-high setting while slightly damp for best results. Can be stored rolled or folded.
Printed & embellished scarves
Turn inside out when washing to protect prints and embellishments. Check the care label for dry-clean-only directions. Press with a cloth between iron and print to prevent scorching.
Storage
Store scarves folded or loosely rolled in a drawer. Hanging fine scarves long-term can distort delicate fabrics. Keep away from direct sunlight to prevent fading.
Cleaning lenses
Use the microfibre cloth provided with your GOD Eyewear frames. For a deeper clean, rinse under lukewarm water and use a specialist lens cleaning spray. Dry with the microfibre cloth. Avoid paper tissues and clothing which can micro-scratch lens coatings.
Cleaning frames
Wipe frames with a damp cloth to remove oils and product build-up, particularly around the nose pads and hinges. Dry immediately. For acetate frames, a microfibre cloth is sufficient for regular cleaning.
Storage
Always store in the case provided when not in use. Even a hard case left on a bag protects frames from distortion and lens scratching. Never leave face-down on any surface.
Handling
Always use both hands when removing glasses. One-handed removal repeatedly stresses the hinges and causes frames to gradually widen and sit unevenly.
Things to avoid
Never leave sunglasses on a car dashboard. Heat warps acetate frames and degrades lens coatings quickly. Avoid resting on top of the head as a habit; this stretches frames over time.
Straw & raffia
Spot clean with a barely damp cloth. Allow to air dry fully in shape. Store on a hat stand or stuffed with tissue to maintain the crown. Avoid compressing in luggage. Straw and raffia crack under pressure.
Felt & wool
Brush with a soft hat brush in a counter-clockwise direction to keep the nap smooth. Spot clean with a barely damp cloth if needed. Steam lightly to reshape if the crown has dented. Store on a hat stand or in a hat box away from dust.
Cotton & canvas caps
Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap. If the care label permits, hand wash in cool water and reshape while damp. Place over a ball or rounded form to dry in shape. Never put in a dryer.
General storage
Always store hats crown-up. Never stack heavy items on top of a hat. For travel, fill the crown with rolled scarves or socks to maintain shape. A hat box is ideal for seasonal storage.
Sun & moisture
Extended sun exposure fades and dries out natural-fibre hats. If a hat gets wet, reshape and allow to dry naturally away from heat. Never place on a radiator.
