Care Instructions
Product Care Instructions Policy
At Gravity NYC, we carry manufacturers that design their products to last. To ensure your items retain their original color, shape, and fabric integrity over time, it is vital to follow proper care and maintenance routines.
Please review the policy guidelines below. Damages caused by improper washing, drying, ironing, or storage are not eligible for returns/exchanges/refunds.
1. General Fabric Care Guidelines
For everyday items and blended fabrics, we recommend practicing these standard preservation methods:
Wash Inside Out: Always turn garments inside out before washing to shield the outer fibers from friction, pilling, and fading.
Cold Water Wash: Use cold water [e.g., 30°C / 85°F] for standard laundry cycles. Cold water saves energy, prevents shrinkage, and protects vibrant dyes from bleeding.
Gentle Detergents: Use mild, liquid detergents. Avoid heavy bleach, harsh optical brighteners, and fabric softeners, which can degrade fiber strength and strip performance coatings.
2. Specialized Fabric Instructions
Certain premium or sensitive materials require dedicated handling to prevent permanent damage:
100% Cotton & Linen: These natural fibers are prone to shrinking if exposed to high heat. Air dry or tumble dry on a low-heat setting, and remove promptly to minimize deep wrinkling.
Silk, Satin, & Lace: Hand wash in cold water using a delicate rinse, or place inside a mesh laundry bag on a delicate/hand-wash cycle. Never wring or twist these fabrics.
Knitwear & Sweaters: To prevent stretching, distortion, or misshapen shoulders, never hang heavy knit items while wet. Lay them completely flat on a clean towel to dry.
Performance / Athleisure Wear: Do not use fabric softeners on moisture-wicking materials, as softeners leave a chemical coating that blocks breathability. Always hang dry.
3. Drying & Ironing Best Practices
Air Drying: We highly recommend line drying or flat drying as the safest method for all garments. It extends product lifespan and prevents heat damage.
Tumble Drying: If you must use a dryer, select the lowest heat or "air fluff" setting. Do not over-dry garments.
Ironing & Steaming: Check individual garment tags for heat limits. For delicate fabrics, graphic prints, or embroidery, use a handheld steamer or iron on the reverse side using a low heat setting or a protective pressing cloth.
4. Storage & Longevity Tips
Hanging vs. Folding: Hang woven shirts, dresses, and jackets on structured hangers to preserve their shape. Fold t-shirts, sweaters, and heavy knits to keep them from stretching out over time.
Sun Exposure: Avoid storing items in direct, prolonged sunlight, which can prematurely fade fabrics and weaken natural fibers.
5. Liability & Return Disclaimers
Care Label Supremacy: Always prioritize the physical care label stitched inside the garment over general website guidelines.
Exclusion of Liability: Gravity NYC is not responsible for items that shrink, bleed, fade, tear, or warp due to deviations from these care instructions. We do not accept returns or offer refunds for damage incurred during home laundering, commercial washing, or dry-cleaning errors.
Need Care Assistance?
If you have questions about cleaning a stubborn stain or caring for a specific textile blend, please reach out to our team before attempting a high-risk wash method.
Footwear Care & Maintenance Policy
At Gravity NYC, we carry footwear from manufacturers that engineer for durability and style. Because shoes face harsh environmental wear, moisture, and friction, proper cleaning and preservation are necessary to extend their lifespan.
Please review the material-specific guidelines below. Damage caused by improper washing methods, moisture exposure, or lack of conditioning is not eligible for returns/exchanges/refunds.
1. General Rules for All Footwear
Never Machine Wash or Dry: Unless a shoe is explicitly labeled as "Machine Washable," do not submerge your footwear in water or place it inside a washing machine or tumble dryer. High heat and agitation break down shoe glues, warp midsoles, and ruin structural stitching.
Air Dry Naturally: If your shoes get wet, remove the insoles and laces. Let them air dry away from direct heat sources (radiators, space heaters) and direct sunlight, which can crack materials and fade colors.
Rotate Your Pairs: Avoid wearing the same pair of shoes two days in a row. Giving your shoes 24 hours to air out allows trapped foot moisture to evaporate fully, preserving the internal lining and preventing odors.
2. Material-Specific Cleaning Instructions
Canvas & Fabric Mesh Sneakers
Cleaning: Remove laces and insoles. Mix a few drops of mild dish soap or sneaker cleaner in warm water. Use a soft-bristled brush (or an old toothbrush) to gently scrub away surface dirt. Wipe clean with a damp microfiber cloth.
Laces: Laces can be placed inside a mesh laundry bag and washed on a delicate cycle in a washing machine, then air-dried.
Smooth Leather Shoes & Boots
Cleaning: Wipe away loose dirt with a dry, soft cloth. Use a damp cloth with a dedicated leather cleaner for deeper dirt.
Conditioning: Leather is skin and will dry out and crack over time. Apply a high-quality leather conditioner or cream every 3–6 months. Rub it in circular motions, let it sit for 15 minutes, and buff off the excess.
Weatherproofing: Apply a water-resistant leather protectant spray before wearing them in wet or wintry conditions.
Suede & Nubuck
Water Warning: Avoid getting suede or nubuck wet. Water can permanently stain and ruin the soft texture (nap) of the material.
Cleaning: Only clean suede when it is completely dry. Use a dedicated suede brush to gently brush away dirt in one direction. For scuffs, use a suede eraser.
Protection: Treat new suede shoes with a specialized suede protector spray immediately before your first wear.
Performance & Athletic Midsoles (EVA / Foam / Rubber)
Cleaning: Clean the foam or rubber walls of your midsoles using a stiff-bristled brush and warm soapy water or a magic eraser sponge. Avoid getting harsh chemicals on the upper fabric of the shoe.
3. Storage & Shape Retention
Use Shoe Trees: To prevent deep creasing in leather or collapsing toes in structured shoes, store your footwear with cedar shoe trees or insert crumpled tissue paper into the toe box when not in use.
Avoid Damp Storage: Never store footwear in plastic bags or unventilated boxes where moisture can become trapped, leading to mold or glue degradation.
4. Liability & Return Limitations
We do not accept returns/exchanges or offer refunds for footwear damaged by exposure to excessive water, salt stains, mud, scuffing from normal wear, or damage caused by third-party cleaning products and washing machines.
Sizing & Care Support
Unsure how to treat a specific stain on your shoes? Reach out to us before attempting a heavy chemical cleaning.