Quick answer

For most Au Vodka clothing, turn it inside out, wash cold on a gentle cycle, and air dry; skip the dryer and iron. If a print has already cracked or flaked, washing cannot restore it, so treat the item as everyday wear rather than a gift. For caps and small gifts, spot clean by hand and store them flat or stuffed to hold their shape.

Symptom: the print looks dull or cracked after a few washes

A printed logo or graphic that fades, cracks or flakes is usually reacting to heat and friction, not a manufacturing fault. Hot water, a hot dryer cycle and direct ironing are the main culprits. Once the ink layer has cracked, no home method will fuse it back together. To prevent it, wash printed items inside out at 30°C or lower, avoid fabric softener, and let them hang dry away from radiators. If you are buying merchandise as a gift, check the care label before purchase and pass on the washing instructions with the item.

Symptom: the garment shrinks or loses its shape

Cotton and cotton-blend apparel can shrink when exposed to high heat, especially in a tumble dryer. If a T-shirt or hoodie has already shrunk, you can sometimes relax the fibres by soaking it in cool water with a little conditioner, then gently stretching it back into shape and air drying flat. That is a partial fix, not a full recovery. For future washes, keep the temperature low and dry flat or hang. If the item is a gift and the recipient is between sizes, choose the larger size and let them shrink it deliberately rather than risk an unwearable smaller fit.

Symptom: the cap loses its shape or the embroidery puckers

Caps are structured, so machine washing can crush the brim and distort the embroidered logo. Spot clean the cap with a damp cloth and a drop of mild soap, then air dry it stuffed with a clean towel to hold the crown shape. Never put a cap in the dryer. If the cap is part of a gift set, store it somewhere it will not be squashed, and avoid hanging it by the adjuster strap for long periods, which can stretch the closure.

Symptom: gift sets look tired before they are given

Merchandise bought as a gift often sits in a bag or cupboard for weeks. Fabric can pick up dust, creases and odours, and bottles can rattle against each other. Keep apparel folded rather than hung if it is heavy, and store it with a desiccant sachet if the space is damp. For bottle-based gifts, keep the bottle upright and away from direct sunlight, which can degrade the liquid and the label over time. If you are assembling a hamper, add the clothing last so it does not get crushed.

Care diagnosis: match the symptom to the fix

  • Faded or cracked print: Caused by heat and friction from hot washing, tumble drying or ironing directly on the print. Corrective action: wash inside out cold, air dry, and do not iron the print. Once cracked, the damage is permanent. If the print is already flaking, stop trying to restore it and keep the item for casual wear.
  • Shrunken or misshapen garment: Caused by high dryer heat or washing at too high a temperature. Corrective action: soak in cool water with conditioner, stretch gently, and dry flat. This may partially relax the fibres. If the garment is still too small after one gentle stretch, it will not return to its original size.
  • Crushed cap or puckered embroidery: Caused by machine washing, wringing or storing under weight. Corrective action: spot clean by hand, reshape the crown while damp, and dry stuffed with a towel. If the brim is bent out of shape, the cap will not sit correctly again; replace it rather than risk a poor gift.
  • Gift set looks dusty or creased: Caused by long storage in a bag or damp cupboard. Corrective action: air fabrics, refold neatly, and store bottles upright away from sunlight. If the packaging is torn or the bottle label is damaged, choose a fresh item for gifting.

Product facts to guide your care choices

  • Au Signature Black Cap: Au Signature Black Cap has an embroidered Au logo, an embroidered Scottish flag on the side panel, an adjustable snapback closure and a curved brim, one size fits all. Embroidery and a structured brim are the parts most likely to distort in a washing machine, so hand spot-cleaning and shape-holding storage protect the details that make it gift-worthy.