Guayaberas are garments resistant to the passage of time, however, it is important that they take special care to prolong their life. Don't worry! It is nothing complicated. Here we present step by step how you can preserve them.

The washing of a guayabera can be by hand or by machine, depending on what you decide, although you must take into account that each process is different and requires certain special care.

Machine wash:

• Check that the pockets are empty and undo all the buttons on the shirt.
• When washing your linen guayabera, try to wash it together with a few clothes so that they don't collide with each other and cause wrinkles, also take into account that the clothes washed together with your guayabera are made of the same material.
• Choose a gentle or delicate wash cycle, as the rhythm inside the washer will be slow and prevent the fabric from shrinking.
• Use special detergents for delicate fabrics and add fabric softener.
• At the end of the wash cycle, immediately take out your guayabera and spread it out to ensure that the entire garment is clean and free of dirt or soap stains.
• Do not put your guayabera in the dryer, as the heat will shrink the fabric. Ideally, you should hang it fully extended in the sun. Some people wrap the garment in a towel so that it quickly absorbs moisture.

Hand wash

• Fill a basin with cold water and dissolve a soap for soft fabrics in it, remembering that any other washing ingredient can damage the fabrics of the garment.
• Let the guayabera soak in the water for 20 or 30 minutes.
• Gently rub the neck and armpits, also be very careful when carving on the buttons, tucks and embroidery.
• Take the guayabera out of the water and remove the excess soap without squeezing it. Then change the water where the soap has been left for clean water.
• Rinse your guayabera in the water, doing it carefully. Repeat this process until the garment is free of soap residue.
• Take it out unsqueezed and lay it out in the sun to dry. You can perform the towel process, described above.

To remove stains

Linen guayaberas stain easily since this fabric is very absorbent, however, there are two infallible methods to clean them without causing damage.

1.- You can use liquid soap or glycerin hours after the stain appears and the method will be effective.

• Having your guayabera dry, place a few drops of liquid soap or glycerin on the stain and leave the garment like that for a few minutes.
• Then you should gently rub over the area with your fingertips.
• Wash the part where the stain was.
• Repeat this process as many times as necessary until the stain is completely removed.

2.- Pouring lemon juice on the stain just a few minutes after it appeared is also a quick solution.

• Add the lemon juice over the stained area.
• Add a little salt.
• Lay the guayabera out in the sun for a few hours.
• Check that the stain has been removed, otherwise add more lemon and salt until it happens.
• Wash normally.

Iron

The Italian linen with which the guayabera is made can be a bit complex to iron if several wrinkles appear after washing, however, you must know the correct way to leave your garment completely smooth

• Iron the guayabera while it is still damp, as this condition makes it easier to remove wrinkles.
• Turn the shirt inside out to prevent damage.
• To take care of embroidery, tucks and lace, you should place a cotton cloth on them.
• If you are not going to use the guayabera at that moment, you must not fold it, but hang it in an ideal space to prevent it from wrinkling again.

This is the correct way to protect your guayabera. Remember that by doing so you will prolong its life time and it will look like new every time you wear it.